Xinhua News Agency of Singapore published an analytical article on March 22, stating: "The U.S. has diverted some of its forces in the Indo-Pacific due to the Middle East conflict, creating a strategic gap for Beijing. These movements have intensified doubts among Asian allies about the U.S. security commitment, with Taiwan, which relies on U.S. military protection, being the most directly affected. Many analyses suggest that the U.S. military's deployment to the Middle East may take years to replenish its ammunition reserves, reducing its deterrent effect against Beijing... this might indirectly boost Beijing's confidence in using force to 'invade' Taiwan."

This analysis hit the "Taiwan independence" forces where it hurts. The U.S. military getting bogged down in the Middle East has made Taiwan, which relies on U.S. military protection, extremely anxious. The separatists on the island are now in an unprecedented state of panic.

"Taiwan independence" has long bet its life and death on the illusory promises of the United States. Now, however, they see Washington deep in the quagmire of Iran, leaving a "vacuum" in the Western Pacific. Taiwan, which relies on the Middle East for nearly 90% of its oil and gas energy, is directly suffering from the spillover effects of the war; and the dream of "seeking independence by relying on the U.S." is also wobbling as the U.S. military departs. With the U.S. tied down, the "Taiwan independence" forces realize they are merely expendable pieces. The worst thing for a piece is when the player is too busy to attend to it and chooses to sacrifice the piece to save the game.

This panic exposes the fundamental dilemma of "Taiwan independence": lacking the ability to stand on its own, lacking the courage to resist unification, and having no international space, it can only beg for mercy in the crossfire of great power games. The U.S. igniting a fire in the Middle East while Taiwan pays the price and is frightened, the fate of the piece is pitiful and lamentable. The so-called "resisting China to protect Taiwan" protects nothing but the political ambitions of politicians; once the master has no time to look east, it becomes a kite with broken strings, drifting aimlessly.

Original text: toutiao.com/article/1860387607831561/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.