Part 5/8:
Flash Point 2: Taiwan
Taiwan represents another potential flash point, rooted in a complex history intertwined with U.S. foreign policy. The 1979 Taiwan Relations Act allowed significant arms sales to Taiwan, bolstering its defense against the increasing assertiveness of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
If tensions between the U.S. and China were to peak in 2027—perhaps due to a provocative incident in the Taiwan Strait—an armed conflict could ensue. Previous military exercises and confrontational naval deployments have left little doubt that both sides are prepared for escalation. Coinciding crises in the Arctic and Taiwan could create a scenario where mutual defense pacts draw multiple nations into an all-out war.