The problem is that no one can be sure what the U.S. policy now is. The constant White House walk-backs of the President’s statements undermine his personal credibility with allies and adversaries. We’d support more clarity in defense of Taiwan, but it ought to be announced in more considered fashion—with support lined up at home and abroad.

It would also require a larger and more rapid plan to arm Taiwan and build up U.S. defenses. One lesson of the Ukraine war is not to wait until the invasion begins to start sending enough weapons. Send them now to make deterrence more credible.

China has built its military to be able to overwhelm Taiwan’s defenses with an amphibious and aerial invasion. But it has also built a force to prevent the U.S. from rapidly reinforcing Taiwan with air and naval assets. China has a long-range missile force that could cripple U.S. bases and airfields in the region. Those missiles would also attack U.S. warships, including aircraft carriers, if they move within range to deploy U.S. fighters to defend the island.