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Commentary: Taiwan President Confirms What Many Fear—Biden Again Must Choose Between War and Shameful Retreat

Commentary: Taiwan President Confirms What Many Fear—Biden Again Must Choose Between War and Shameful Retreat

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen confirmed for the first time Tuesday that American troops are on the island and helping to train her military forces. This from westernjournal.com.

This has not been a well kept secret, however, the confirmation comes as the Asian democracy and the U.S. seek to counter an increasingly bellicose communist China, whose leader, Xi Jinping, has clearly stated his intention to reunite the island with the mainland.

Xi said earlier this month that Taiwan’s independence is a “grave lurking threat to national rejuvenation” and added that while China wants a peaceful unification, “nobody should underestimate the staunch determination, firm will and powerful ability of the Chinese people to defend national sovereignty,” 19FortyFive reported.

Joe Biden may well be left with two choices in the not too distant future: Backing Taiwan or once again retreating in the face of a militant foe.

Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said during an interview on Australian television that Beijing flew nearly 150 military aircraft, including fighters and nuclear-capable bombers, into Taiwan’s airspace during the first five days of October, Stars and Stripes reported.

Last week during a CNN town hall, Biden said the U.S. would come to Taiwan’s defense in the event of a military strike by China.

“Yes, we have a commitment to do that,” he unequivocally stated.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki walked back that statement the next day, saying, “Our defense relationship with Taiwan is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act [1979]. Some of the principles of the Taiwan Relations Act that the United States will continue to abide by, of course, is assisting Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defense capability.

“Another principle is that the United States would regard any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific and of grave concern to the United States.”

Tsai conceded there are “different interpretations” as to what Biden meant but told CNN’s Will Ripley she’s confident the U.S. would come to Taiwan’s aid.

“I do have faith, given the long-term relationship that we have with the U.S.,” the president said, “and also the support of the people of the U.S. as well as the Congress, and the administration has been very helpful.”

“Here is this island of 23 million people trying hard every day to protect ourselves and protect our democracy and making sure that our people have the kind of freedom they deserve,” she said.

“If we fail, then that means people that believe in these values would doubt whether these are values that they [should] be fighting for.”

Former Trump Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Newsmax on Sunday that Biden must keep his commitment to defend Taiwan from China.

America’s performance and acquiescence to the Taliban can only serve to embolden China to strike against Taiwan, forcing Biden to choose between war and retreat.

“Peace through strength” was former President Ronald Reagan’s motto in dealing with the Soviet Union.

Biden would do well to study the 40th president’s Cold War leadership as the world faces a rising communist China threat.