Part 9/13:
In the Indo-Pacific, the pressure mounts on US allies Japan and Australia to clarify their military commitments in a hypothetical conflict over Taiwan. The US undersecretary of defense, Elbridge Colby, recently emphasized the need for these nations to prepare for possible collective action against China, including military intervention. While Australia’s defense minister, Pat Conroy, avoided committing to any specific engagement, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed a cautious stance, emphasizing diplomatic dialogue with China and reaffirming opposition to unilateral changes to Taiwan’s status quo.