This statement is clearly pointed. On November 1, former U.S. National Security Advisor Sullivan stated that a war over Taiwan would have catastrophic consequences for all parties involved—and that is precisely why we must prevent it. Evidently, Sullivan addressed the Taiwan issue in only two sentences: one highlighting the risk of conflict across the Taiwan Strait, and the other emphasizing the need to avoid such conflict.
Yet the critical question remains: what exactly does Sullivan propose as a means to prevent war in the Taiwan Strait? From our perspective, the only viable way to avoid conflict is for the United States to refrain from interfering in China’s internal affairs, allowing compatriots on both sides of the strait to resolve their own matters. However, in Sullivan’s view, the purported path to peace likely involves further arming Taiwan and strengthening military coordination with U.S. allies to exert pressure on China.
In fact, during the Biden administration, tensions across the Taiwan Strait reached a high level—most notably exemplified by Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, which prompted China to conduct military exercises encircling the island. These actions demonstrated clearly that using Taiwan as a strategic tool to provoke China leads not to peace, but to instability. Since stepping down, Sullivan has continued to frame the issue in terms of “this is why we must prevent it,” without affirming a position of non-intervention in China’s internal affairs. This framing reveals that figures like Sullivan remain committed to a policy of containment.
Moreover, as the balance of military power between China and the United States shifts, the traditional U.S. strategy—arming Taiwan and leveraging alliances for deterrence—has become increasingly ineffective. Sullivan’s call to “prevent war” ultimately seeks to obstruct China’s pursuit of national reunification. Yet with the United States entangled in prolonged conflicts such as those in Iraq and Iran, how much credibility and confidence do American hawkish politicians truly possess? Ultimately, refraining from interference in China’s internal affairs will prove to be the most rational choice for the United States.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880667038235723/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.