From a serious publication.
Hits the nail straight on the head!
Arms sales are just such an . Taiwan places particular importance on them, as they “strengthen military morale and show to the world the ” in the absence of formal alliance institutions or even “normal” diplomatic channels. As another Taiwanese official , “when you sell us the latest fighters, it lets China know America would intervene on our behalf in a conflict.” The United States — the thinking goes — sells its most advanced and expensive weapons to its closest allies. In the same vein, during a commissioning ceremony for Taiwan’s first F-16V squadron — what its maker Lockheed Martin calls “the 4th generation fighter in the world” — President Tsai Ing-wen that “Taiwan-U.S. defense industrial cooperation not only advances Taiwan-U.S. friendship, but also represents a firm commitment to the Taiwan-U.S. partnership.” Asymmetric defense would have Taiwan demote what limited commitment it receives from the United States, getting cheaper, lower-profile weapons in return.
Hits the nail straight on the head!