It is regretful that the views expressed by me and my co-authors in Foreign Affairs are being taken out of context by some people in Taiwan. The main point of the article is that effective deterrence requires both credible threats and assurances. 1/x https://www.foreignaffairs.com/taiwan/taiwan-china-true-sources-deterrence…

We advocate potential measures that Beijing, the US, and Taiwan could take to bolster assurances. Taiwan must credibly signal that it has the resolve and capability to defend itself as well as assure that it will not seek formal independence. 2/x

President Tsai has rightly pursued policies to strengthen defense & preserve the X-Strait status quo. As noted in the article, Lai has said he will stay the course. He has reaffirmed Tsai’s 4 commitments & presented a 4 pillar plan to preserve peace, which includes deterrence.3/x

Continued focus on defense is essential, but steps to assure will also be necessary. With this in mind, we proposed some possible steps that a future Lai administration could take, which only represents our views, not those of the US government. 4/x

If Hou Yu-ih is elected, strengthening deterrence will also be crucial. Regardless of who is power, Taiwan must enhance its ability to defend itself. 5/x

In the past few months, the TPP, DPP, and KMT have each attempted to use my views to gain advantage, which I find troubling. I am an independent scholar. I am not trying to help any particular candidate win. 6/x

But I care deeply about Taiwan and its future, as well as preventing war, so I will continue to present my views publicly. I hope that politicians and journalists will not distort my words or take them out of context. 7/7 END