So, why do we fight for what we gave up already?

Control over good chip factories, mostly.

Which is why there are no easy ways out without anyone losing face and/or important things, thus hard for this to end well.

Maybe only if the rest of Far East banded together basically into a Sphere of Co-prosperity 2.0, they could make a deal? Especially if they pretend it’s about to become Asian EU, but not allowing this to actually go beyond confederation and trade alliance level. The distraction/PR selling point may be Korea/Korea peace at last, perhaps.

Realpolitik-wise, China and Russia are much more concerned with reducing USA influence than with grabbing things (maybe even enough that a chip equivalent of OPEC is a big step up), USA could swallow it if China does not own the place (besides, by now the question is not how to make more NATO bases, but which ones will be cut), the locals would be rather happy mostly left alone. This requires Japan to become openly less loyal to its suzerain, but then scandals happen, and factions seize opportunities, so the tides may shift at least for long enough to create an opening.

Of course, it’s more likely that USA will start a slap-fest with Iran backed by the whole BRICS, with Turkey doing its best to not get involved.

The United States must demonstrate that even a well-planned first strike will not ensure Chinese success.

That’s how well they demonstrated it 10 years ago: https://visionsofempire.wordpress.com/2015/10/13/china-in-alaska-part-i-sending-a-message/

I doubt “They/Them” military shaped up a whole lot since then.

“I am old enough to remember when we recognized Taiwan as part of China.”

I am old enough to remember when Americans knew the difference between the R.o.C. government and the P.R.o.C. government.

“So, why do we fight for what we gave up already?”

If the USA defends Taiwan, the USA will be defending the USA from unforeseeable geopolitical disruption. If Taiwan falls, the Philippines and Japan and South Korea are at risk. If the USA allows the PR of C to wipe out the R of C government, the PR of C will not stop there, and the USA’s military and civilian supply chains will be severely damaged.

It might be possible that the USA could allow Taiwan to fall and yet continue something resembling the status quo, getting its chips from South Korea, Japan, and Taiwanese engineers working inside the USA. However, in that scenario, the People’s Republic of China would dominate chipmaking, and the USA would appear weak on the world stage.

More likely scenarios of Taiwan’s fall would be much darker for the USA. It is likely that the fall of Taiwan would mark the emergence of the P R of C as the world’s only geopolitical hyperpower.

From the linked Taipeitimes article:

“China is the [US] Department [of Defense]’s sole pacing threat, and denial of a Chinese fait accompli seizure of Taiwan — while simultaneously defending the US homeland is the department’s sole pacing scenario,” Hegseth said in the memo. The memo also called for “pressuring” Taiwan to significantly increase its defense spending.

I am happy someone in the USA has a realistic assessment of the Communist threat. Taiwanese people must also redouble efforts — it is not just a question of spending money, but also demonstrating personal dedication and getting psyched up for the long struggle.

Shugart is one of the all too many war criminals who infest our demented Ruling Class. May they all burn in Hell.

I am old enough to remember when we recognized Taiwan as part of China. So, why do we fight for what we gave up already?