ANALYSIS – I have always been a strong defender of Taiwan and harsh opponent of Communist China, and I still am. I have even proposed we drop the ‘strategic ambiguity' about whether we would defend Taiwan against an attack from the mainland.
In that sense, I've actually been supportive of Biden's supposed gaffes stating we would fight for our democratic ally. (RELATED: Biden's Latest Gaffe Claims US Will Fight China to Defend Taiwan – But That's Not US Policy)
I was also extremely encouraged by President Trump's selling of offensive weapons to Taiwan for the first time ever, and the major arms sales and aid we have since provided.
But advanced weapons alone aren't enough. And U.S. support and commitment to defend Taiwan can't be a one-way street.
As we now see with Ukraine's highly motivated and mobilized populace fighting its far more powerful Russian neighbor, Taiwan needs to truly prepare for a coming war with Communist China, to both properly deter an attack, and defend themselves if needed.
And we should make our support to Taipei contingent on Taiwan preparing all their people and army for war.
Sadly, according to most experts, Taiwan's military manpower is not up to the task. And its society is still not geared for war.
As Vice reports:
On paper, Taiwan boasts an impressive 2.3 million troops in the reserves, comprising a mix of volunteers and those who have completed their four months of mandatory military service, like Cheng. Together with more than 180,000 active duty members and geographic advantage, the island looks like it can hold its own against China's two million active soldiers. But analysts say poor training means the real capability of its fighting force translates to just a tiny fraction of that total.
Over the years Taiwan eased military service requirements, shortening its length from the traditional one or two years to just four months, and dropping training in basic military skills, making the training according to some recruits, more akin to a summer camp.
Vice adds:
“I don't think we are ready—especially when it comes to Taiwan's young people,” said Hsu Chiao-hsin, a rising political star from the Kuomintang opposition, often considered the party with the softer position on China. Hsu is a rare voice who wants to see service extended to one year and have women serve along with men.
“Taiwan's military is facing a serious problem,” she said. “Our military can buy weapons—they don't lack money. But we don't have battle-ready soldiers.”
This is why private groups are filling the void. As Vice notes:
The uneasy feeling they are ill-fit for war has spurred some citizens to sign up for training courses in first aid and civil defense, which have proliferated since Russia invaded Ukraine.
“Our military, police, firefighters and paramedics account for just about 1 percent of our total population,” said Enoch Wu, founder of Forward Alliance, an NGO that has organized more than 40 safety workshops since February. “I think it's important to make sure the other 99 percent know what their jobs will be in the event of a crisis.”
Kuma Academy, a private group created late last year, is also trying to fill this gap. “Our main focus is to specifically ward off the threat from China,” said Dora Tsai, the project's coordinator and co-founder.
Robert Tsao, former head of a top microchip maker, has pledged $19 million to the private academy to train three million people in three years in civil defense and first aid and provide firearms and shooting training to an additional 300,000 citizens.
This is a noble effort and something we in the U.S. should consider as well.
But as Tsai asked, “Why is civil society doing this kind of thing and not the government?
Vice adds: “For years, security specialists have urged Taipei to emulate countries like Israel and Finland, with their whole-of-country defense efforts, whether with a highly professional mandatory military program or preparations where citizens know their role in the event of war.”
The U.S. should make Taiwan's creation of a similar effort a prerequisite for more U.S. military aid and weapons.
Taiwan needs to make its entire people ready for war, not just rely on U.S. help.
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“Strategic ambiguity” indeed. That stupid Jimmy Carter messed everything up by recognizing Communist Red China and derecognizing Taiwan. Communist Red China is our number one enemy. They’ve taken our factories and jobs from us. They’ve stolen our technology from us. Traitors like the Clintons sold them the secrets to our super computers and missiles. They’ve told us many times that they want to be superior to us in every way. They have the largest navy in the world. They are now buying up our farmland in strategic areas (like our military bases). They have their man (Joe “China” Biden) in the White House. God help us.