Lacking natural resources, Taiwan managed to make its microchips nearly indispensable to both friend and foe. Yet Taiwan's critical weakness is its energy supply, leaving it vulnerable to blockade.
In concept, the " Silicon Shield " makes sense, but China may not ultimately care and go in, especially with our current President on their payroll and the USA tied up with Ukraine of whom also have the goods on him.
And that’s the big question: how bad does China want Taiwan? China might want Taiwan more than it wants Taiwans chip. And, how much does Russia’s troubles in Ukraine factor in Xi mind?
It’s extremely difficult for any western observers to truly understand the mind of the Chinese leadership.
Nice article about the relationship between energy and national security. Fortunately, Mainland China is almost as vulnerable Taiwan. The combination of heavy dependence on oil from the Persian Gulf and a navy without the range to protect oil tankers means that the US could use a tit-for-tat strategy that China will lose.
Thank you for the excellent overview.
In concept, the " Silicon Shield " makes sense, but China may not ultimately care and go in, especially with our current President on their payroll and the USA tied up with Ukraine of whom also have the goods on him.
And that’s the big question: how bad does China want Taiwan? China might want Taiwan more than it wants Taiwans chip. And, how much does Russia’s troubles in Ukraine factor in Xi mind?
It’s extremely difficult for any western observers to truly understand the mind of the Chinese leadership.
Nice article about the relationship between energy and national security. Fortunately, Mainland China is almost as vulnerable Taiwan. The combination of heavy dependence on oil from the Persian Gulf and a navy without the range to protect oil tankers means that the US could use a tit-for-tat strategy that China will lose.