Part 8/11:
A central concern discussed by Pazulo is the opacity surrounding U.S. policy, particularly the stance of President Joe Biden’s administration and its predecessors. While China’s intentions are relatively clear—Taiwan is a primary, non-negotiable goal of Chinese strategic policy—the U.S. position remains less transparent, especially in light of the evolving priorities of the Trump and Biden administrations.
Understanding whether the U.S. would mobilize militarily in a Taiwanese conflict is of critical importance to Australia’s strategic calculus. Morrison’s plea for clarity underscores the importance of contingency planning based on realistic assumptions of American actions, as Australia cannot afford to be caught unprepared should tensions escalate.