Through all years here, always been the question/expectations/worries if US would or would not, support Taiwan in case of military threats by China
However, my question is more on what do you all think about Taiwan’s support of US?
In worst case scenario, if Russia attacks Estonia, US and NATO will go to war with Russia.
Would Taiwan side with US and join US war with Russia? Practically Taiwan can’t do much, but a couple of submarines on Russia East coast sinking some container ships for trade blocking would hurt Russia a bit, and show some support for US
If Russia attacked Estonia and the US and NATO responded, imo, Taiwan should not get involved, at least, not in the actual fighting. First, because it has no obligation to do so – neither to the US nor Estonia. Second, because Taiwan, as a small player, should conserve its resources for threats closer to home. Third, the US and NATO have plenty of power on their own.
As an aspiring member of the global system, Taiwan can offer all kinds of other assistance, and make hay in terms of goodwill in the process. Like now, condemning the invasion of Ukraine, Covid Mask diplomacy, and - as in natural disasters in the past (ex. the Chengdu earthquake) - offering other forms of aid.
A more relevant thought experiment might be if China and North Korea attempted to take Seoul – would, could, should Taiwan get involved? For me, again, I think there are many factors Taiwan should think about before it jumps into the fire.
But why would Taiwan support countries that don’t even recognize it as an independent country? Maybe Taiwan would help its allies like Somaliland or Palau, but not countries that consider it a part of China.
Ok, let’s say it was Lithuania attacked in the OP’s example, instead of Estonia. Lithuania re-established formal ties with Taiwan last November.
Lithuania is also a NATO member, so can expect an Article 5 response from fellow NATO members obligated to rush to it’s defense. Again - Taiwan can more effectively support Lithuania in ways other than direct military involvement, like sending troops or attacking Russia in this part of the world.
