Part 6/8:
The Calculated Risks Ahead
The room echoed with a mixture of hope and anxiety; the Bureau of Intelligence and Research within the State Department reassured the Council that Taiwan's civilian population would rally for war if confronted with a direct threat to their existence. Yet, the reality remained that without proactive measures, avoiding an escalating situation proved increasingly difficult.
As the Council deliberated, a significant military strategy was suggested: a show of force to demonstrate commitments without provoking further conflict. Air and naval forces were prepared to maintain a significant presence in the Taiwan Strait, signaling to China that the U.S. would not be deterred.