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In a recent development, Chinese President Xi Jinping has directed his military to further enhance war and combat planning, indicating Beijing’s preparation to regain control over Taiwan.
However, President Biden, who previously pledged to defend Taiwan in case of a Chinese invasion, made a surprising admission in July – the United States is facing a critical shortage of ammunition after supplying Ukraine for its defense against Russia.
The Pentagon’s recent war games, simulating a hypothetical U.S.-China conflict over Taiwan, revealed the alarming depletion of America’s military resources. The simulation, conducted by the Center for a New American Security in April, showcased the exhaustion of essential munitions within days, along with heavy losses in manpower, ships, and aircrafts.
This brings us to an important question – is Taiwan truly committed to defending itself? Multiple indicators suggest otherwise.
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In support of Ukraine and its fight against Russia, protesters assemble in New York’s Union Square, on July 1, 2023. They demand increased provision of weapons and ammunition. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Firstly, it appears that Taipei prefers relying on the United States to deplete its military resources rather than allocating significant funds for its own defense. According to Defense News, Republican members on Congress’ foreign affairs and armed services committees are pushing for $2 billion in military aid for Taiwan, while proposing cuts to the overall foreign aid budget.
Additionally, the White House is preparing a drawdown package to expedite the transfer of U.S. arms from existing stockpiles to Taiwan, similar to its support for Ukraine. In contrast, Taiwan only allocates 2.4% of its budget to national defense, a slight increase from 1.6% in 2016, as reported by the Taiwan Times. In contrast, the United States spends 3.5% on defense to protect its citizens and global interests.
Secondly, congressional hearings reveal significant shortcomings in Taiwan’s military, including insufficient personnel, training, doctrine, arms, and equipment. A Defense News report states that just two years ago, Taiwan’s armed forces, comprising the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, had only reached 80% of their authorized end strength, with frontline combat units operating at levels as low as 60% of their intended capacity.
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Taiwan Air Force soldiers load U.S.-made Harpoon AGM-84 anti-ship missiles during a combat readiness mission in Hualien, Taiwan, in August 2022. (Reuters/Ann Wang)
While Taiwan has increased its active duty personnel to 169,000, China possesses a formidable advantage with its 2-million-strong armed forces. Furthermore, the duration of mandatory military service for Taiwanese conscripts is only four months, which is insufficient for adequate combat training. This stands in contrast to countries like South Korea and Singapore, where conscription programs range from 18 to 24 months.
Although Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen recently announced plans to extend compulsory conscription to one year starting in 2024, concerns remain regarding Taiwan’s youth and their willingness to sacrifice for the nation. In December, Tsai herself acknowledged that many Taiwanese view military service as a “waste of time.”
A 25-year-old Taiwanese reservist, who served last year, expressed dissatisfaction with his assigned artillery role, revealing that he never received proper training due to safety concerns. Instead, he was assigned menial tasks such as cleaning the cannon carts.
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Soldiers participate in the Han Kuang military exercise in Taoyuan, Taiwan, on July 26, 2023. (I-Hwa Cheng/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
In 2018, a research conducted by The Taipei Times highlighted the prevalent apathy towards the military among young Taiwanese individuals regarding their national service.
One conscript expressed regret, stating, “My time in the army was a complete waste. I wish I could get those four months back,” as they were primarily assigned to menial tasks like cleaning barracks and performing janitorial duties.
For years, the United States has provided military aid and security guarantees to foreign partners without demanding their fair contributions. However, with the current state of American economy and depleted military resources, it is time to reconsider this approach. Before burdening American taxpayers further by subsidizing the security of other nations, it is crucial to insist that our allies prioritize the defense of their citizens and vital interests.
Biden must show decisive leadership now and compel Taiwan to take a greater responsibility for its own defense. It is unfair to expect young men and women from Tulsa to risk their lives in Taiwan if the youth of Taipei are not willing to do the same.
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