The implications for the delicate balance of power in the Indo-Pacific were profound, demanding a reassessment of strategic priorities and a unified response from Washington and its allies.…. The tense silence in the secure conference room of a discreet building just outside Washington D.C. was palpable. Joseph Wu, his face etched with a familiar blend of concern and resolve, sat across from his American counterparts. The “special channel,” a lifeline of communication between Taipei and Washington, was active once again. The air crackled with the unspoken anxieties surrounding China’s escalating military maneuvers around Taiwan. “The scale of their current exercises is unprecedented,” Wu stated, his voice calm but firm. “Admiral Paparo’s assessment resonates deeply with our intelligence. They are rehearsals, meticulously planned and executed.” His primary concern, however, extended beyond the immediate threat to Taiwan. Drawing on intell...