Part 3/12:
The revelation that US forces are physically present and engaged in training activities in Taiwan signifies a notable escalation. Reports trace back to 2021, when it was disclosed that a small contingent of US troops operated secretly in Taiwan, conducting military training. By February 2023, plans emerged to bolster this presence significantly, with US troop numbers expected to rise to between 100 and 200—a sharp increase from approximately 30 in 2022. Legislation such as the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act has facilitated this expansion, allowing for more permanent US troop deployments focused on training Taiwanese military personnel.