Taiwan Can Be Defended Against China. The Price Is the Real Problem

Taiwan has not become indefensible because drones, missiles, and sensors have changed modern war. It has become harder to defend cheaply.

Washington is drifting into bad habits. One camp talks as if Taiwan is already lost, because China is close and too far along in the military balance. Another talks as if cheap drones and unmanned boats can solve the problem that carriers, air bases, and manned aircraft increasingly struggle to solve.

Both views dodge the harder point. Taiwan can be made a terrible target.

China can be denied a quick victory. But a serious defense of Taiwan still carries a price that American politics has barely begun to discuss.