Lateefah Simon: “China is making bellicose statements about Taiwan. This morning's Washington Post begins an editorial with these words…”

“China is making bellicose statements about Taiwan. This morning's Washington Post begins an editorial with these words: If it came to that, the United States would have no choice but to help Taiwan--a flourishing free-market democracy-- defend itself against attack by Communist China. No treaty or law compels this response, but decency and strategic interest demand it. An American Government that allowed the issue of Taiwan's future be settled by China's force would be in disgrace as well as in error. Mr. President, the best way to avoid force or to avoid giving a dictator and a dictatorship the appetite that will not be satisfied with conquering one area is to make clear that that will be resisted by the community of nations. I am not talking about the use of American troops, but I think American air power clearly ought to be brought to bear if such an eventuality should take place. If China is permitted to grab Taiwan, I think it will be only a matter of time before China takes Mongolia and other areas. I think the best way of maintaining stability in that area of the world is to be firm.”