The Taiwan Strait remains one of the most consequential flashpoints in the Indo-Pacific. For Washington, deterrence, freedom of navigation, and preventing unilateral change by force are central goals. Were a crisis to erupt there, the repercussions would extend far beyond Taiwan—drawing in Japan, the Philippines, and potentially the Republic of Korea (ROK). From the U.S. perspective, South Korea is not just a distant ally but a strategically located partner with advanced military and industrial capabilities.
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