Toward Decline
China-friendly KMT stunts Taiwan’s attempt to grow into a fully formed hedgehog
Why it matters
Taiwan's degraded defensive posture—particularly loss of domestic small-drone procurement and air-defence capability—directly undermines the 'indigestible hedgehog' doctrine that Australia relies on to deter Chinese regional adventurism. Concurrent US arms-sales freeze signals wavering US commitment to Taiwan and the rules-based order, a critical foundation for Australian alliance confidence and AUKUS sustainability.
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