The Strategy of Denial: American Defense in an Age of Great Power Conflict

by Elbridge A. Colby

National Security Council, “U.S. Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific,” (Washington, DC: White House, 2018), 7, https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/IPS-Final-Declass.pdf [URL inactive]; Lawrence Eagleburger, “Taiwan Arms Sales,” cable to James Lilley (Washington, DC: White House, July 10, 1982), https://www.ait.org.tw/wp-content/uploads/sites/269/State-cable-of-1982-07-10-200235.pdf; and George Shultz, “Assurances for Taiwan,” cable to James Lilley (Washington, DC: US Department of State, August 17, 1982), https://www.ait.org.tw/wp-content/uploads/sites/269/State-cable-of-1982-08-17-200235-1.pdf. On declassification of these cables, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David R. Stilwell stated: “We have changed nothing about these longstanding policies. What we are doing, though, is making some important updates to our engagement with Taiwan to better reflect these policies and respond to changing circumstances.” Stilwell, “The United States, Taiwan, and the World: Partners for Peace and Prosperity” (Washington, DC: Heritage Foundation, August 31, 2020), https://2017-2021.state.gov/The-United-States-Taiwan-and-the-World-Partners-for-Peace-and-Prosperity/.