Our ambiguous policy made sense when China could not even think about invading Taiwan but that era is over. It is time to let Peking know that we will fight them over Taiwan--period. No errant Taiwanese statements over being independent will nullify our commitment to Taiwan and that no law China passes purporting to make the issue an internal question will keep our fleet away:
But above all, the United States must be candid with the American people, with our democratic allies and friends in Asia, and above all with the Chinese dictatorship, about the American commitment to help Taiwan defend itself.We may think that the war on terror requires us to be quiet to keep Chinese support; but waking up one morning to find that Chinese troops are landing on Taiwan will be a far greater distraction.