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Meanwhile, at Camp H.M. Smith in Hawaii, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Admiral Michael Mullikin urgently convened a video conference with the National Security Council. The tone was grim, and the assessment was fraught with anxiety—Taiwan’s crisis unfolded against the backdrop of U.S. commitments in Europe, already embroiled in conflict with Russia.
As Admiral Mullikin detailed the unprecedented scale of Chinese military presence in the region, alarm bells sounded throughout Washington. With over 200 Chinese aircraft near Taiwan and extensive naval deployments, the question arose: would this be a prelude to an invasion? The implications of U.S. involvement loomed large, with discussions revolving around whether Taiwan would stand firm in its defense or fold under the pressure.