Taiwanese military took part in a joint military exercise in the United States
The United States remains Taiwan's most significant international backer and arms supplier, despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties or a defence treaty. This relationship has become increasingly important as Taiwan faces escalating military and political pressure from China over the past five years.
The US is legally bound to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, a commitment that has been evident in the recent collaborations between the two nations' forces. The Northern Strike exercise, which concluded on Sunday, served as a testament to this growing partnership. This year's edition of the drill, held at Lake Michigan and involving 7,500 military personnel from 36 nations and territories, included the participation of more than 500 Taiwanese troops.
During the 2021 Northern Strike exercise, the US deployed live loitering munitions for the benefit of Taiwanese generals, providing them with valuable tactical insights. Taiwanese military personnel have also been training in strategic and tactical battle operations in Michigan, according to former US diplomat Joseph Cella.
Taiwan's government closely monitors interactions between senior US and Chinese officials, as the balance of power in the region continues to shift. The change in focus of the Northern Strike exercise, traditionally focused on European conflicts, to a potential war in the Indo-Pacific region, indicates a greater shift in the US armed forces' attention to a potential conflict in Asia.
However, it is important to note that should China attack, Washington is under no obligation to help. The US has long maintained a policy of "strategic ambiguity," not making it clear whether it would respond militarily to a Chinese attack on Taiwan. This year's Northern Strike exercise, simulating a war in the Indo-Pacific region, serves as a warning of the potential consequences of such a conflict.
Taiwan's security, therefore, must be achieved through its own efforts. The country has been dedicating itself to raising its self-defence capabilities and resilience. The Stars and Stripes reported that a US defense official declined to discuss Taiwan's participation in US military exercises as a matter of long-standing policy. Despite this, Taiwan has been a US partner in the Northern Strike drills since 2021, and the Taiwanese military forces have been represented by the United States at these exercises through 2023.
As tensions between China and Taiwan continue to rise, the strengthening of their military ties with the US serves as a crucial deterrent to potential aggression. The collaborations between the two nations' forces, as demonstrated by the Northern Strike exercise, underscore the importance of a strong and united front in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
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