The United States policy towards Taiwan is one of “strategic ambiguity”—based on the theory that it’s best to keep all parties guessing whether, and to what extent, the U.S. military will intervene in a war across the Taiwan Strait.
The election of Lai Ching-te has Taiwan’s president has reawakened old debates about “strategic ambiguity.”
The Biden administration has stuck with its approach of keeping vague any scenarios for intervention in a conflict with China over the island.
Advocates say this enigmatic ploy keeps Beijing and Taipei on their toes, deterring the former while ensuring the latter does not act rashly.
Critics suggest that “strategic clarity,” meaning spelling out when the United States might act, would do more to deter Beijing.