A factor that may further exacerbate already high tensions with China is Taiwan's formal confirmation of US forces' permanent stationing on its islands in the Taiwan Strait. The deployment of these soldiers to undertake training programs for Taiwanese frontline forces was made possible by the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which was approved in 2023.
China, which has never controlled Taiwan but nonetheless views it as a renegade province, is continuing to press its disputed claim to the island. Taiwan has strengthened its defenses in response to China's increased military actions in and around the Taiwan Strait.
It follows Secretary of State Antony Blinken's "ironclad" warning to China this week, which came amid rising tensions between the two countries. Nearer home, a recent poll revealed that Biden and Trump are deadlocked for the White House. Additionally, Trump threatened the EU nations yesterday, saying that NATO "will not be protected" if he is reelected unless they make good on further indications of global tensions, which include the situation in Ukraine and Russia, the Middle East's growing problems, and the growing problems in Cuba and Haiti, where displaced citizens could flood Florida and force Governor Ron DeSantis to take drastic action.
Taiwanese Defense Chief Chiu Kuo-cheng responded to questions over the existence of the US Army Green Special Forces, better known as Green Berets, by saying: "There may be blind spots or flaws in any circumstance. As a result, whether our allies are a nation, a team, or a group, we must connect with them.
"By observing one another, we may discover our own abilities. This is a permanent fixture.
Although former president Tsai Ing-wen had alluded to sporadic training sessions with US instructors in 2021, Chiu's latest remark is the first formal affirmation of the operations' long-term nature.
US Army Green Berets from the 1st Special Forces Group are reportedly now stationed permanently at bases of the 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion, a Taiwanese army special operations force, located in the outlying island counties of Penghu and Kinmen. These reports come from Taiwan's United Daily News (UDN). Of note, Kinmen is located little over a mile from the Chinese coast.
Furthermore, there are rumors of an American military presence in Taoyuan, on Taiwan's main island, northeast. According to these allegations, service personnel are teaching Taiwan's elite Airborne Special Service Company in drone operations.
China, which has never controlled Taiwan but nonetheless views it as a renegade province, is continuing to press its disputed claim to the island. Taiwan has strengthened its defenses in response to China's increased military actions in and around the Taiwan Strait.
It follows Secretary of State Antony Blinken's "ironclad" warning to China this week, which came amid rising tensions between the two countries. Nearer home, a recent poll revealed that Biden and Trump are deadlocked for the White House. Additionally, Trump threatened the EU nations yesterday, saying that NATO "will not be protected" if he is reelected unless they make good on further indications of global tensions, which include the situation in Ukraine and Russia, the Middle East's growing problems, and the growing problems in Cuba and Haiti, where displaced citizens could flood Florida and force Governor Ron DeSantis to take drastic action.
Taiwanese Defense Chief Chiu Kuo-cheng responded to questions over the existence of the US Army Green Special Forces, better known as Green Berets, by saying: "There may be blind spots or flaws in any circumstance. As a result, whether our allies are a nation, a team, or a group, we must connect with them.
"By observing one another, we may discover our own abilities. This is a permanent fixture.
Although former president Tsai Ing-wen had alluded to sporadic training sessions with US instructors in 2021, Chiu's latest remark is the first formal affirmation of the operations' long-term nature.
US Army Green Berets from the 1st Special Forces Group are reportedly now stationed permanently at bases of the 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion, a Taiwanese army special operations force, located in the outlying island counties of Penghu and Kinmen. These reports come from Taiwan's United Daily News (UDN). Of note, Kinmen is located little over a mile from the Chinese coast.
Furthermore, there are rumors of an American military presence in Taoyuan, on Taiwan's main island, northeast. According to these allegations, service personnel are teaching Taiwan's elite Airborne Special Service Company in drone operations.
