Image reproduced from TVBS 新聞網

Recently, U.S. President Trump ordered a strike against Iran, causing global concerns about the expanding conflict in the Middle East and its economic repercussions. U.N. Secretary-General Guterres openly stated that this action poses a serious threat to global peace and security, prompting countries to call for a return to the negotiation table. However, since Israel's establishment, the unfolding Middle East situation has revealed an inseparable bond between the U.S. and Israel politically and economically.

Israeli hawkish leaders have skillfully leveraged their ties with the U.S., drawing significant military investments and resources, making America their principal backer in the region. The deployment of U.S. troops and advanced weaponry in Syria and Iraq serves as a formidable barrier between Israel and its arch-rival Iran, enabling Israel to conduct operations against Palestine and Hamas without fear. The current aggressive strikes against Iran, ostensibly with U.S. backing, highlight how Israel may have placed the U.S. in a difficult position.

Israel's brutal attacks on Gaza have resulted in significant civilian casualties, and despite strong international condemnation, these actions have occurred with tacit approval or even encouragement from the U.S., with U.N. officials labeling these strikes as “genocide”. While Israel aims to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities, their underestimation of Iranian resilience is evident. Iran's retaliation has been stronger than expected, leading to severe economic ramifications for Israel.

After this attack, Iran vowed to strike U.S. bases in the Middle East and may attempt to block the Strait of Hormuz, raising significant concern in the U.S. Moreover, this has the potential to plunge the global economy into another crisis. Consequently, Trump must face mounting criticism given that the turmoil could have been avoided and largely stemmed from provocations by Israel.

What is intriguing is whether Taiwan can draw lessons from Israel’s example in light of the current situation. Since taking office, Tsai's administration has taken a more confrontational stance toward China, exacerbating tensions in the Taiwan Strait. The increased military exercises by the Chinese army are raising alarms globally, yet ongoing conflicts like Ukraine and the latest Israeli conflict show that the U.S. may not be fully attentive to Taiwan's challenges.

Tsai's inaugural speech hinted at underlying pressures from the U.S. As the crisis in the Middle East leaves Trump scrambling for responses, Taiwan must carefully consider the nature of its dependence on U.S. support. While Israel has continuously upheld its strong backing from the U.S. due to shared interests, Taiwan must recognize that seeking unconditional support is not feasible.

Tsai’s calls for “unity” should not be misconstrued as a direct comparison between the Middle East and Taiwan’s situation. The support equations for the two regions differ starkly, rendering it a fallacy to align expectations. One must acknowledge that U.S. military support for Israel cannot be transposed to Taiwan, as Trump's primary interests are firmly rooted in American-centric policies.

Therefore, Tsai must reflect on whether Israel truly possesses the capacity to maneuver the U.S. into conflict, and if Taiwan can claim similar conditions. The current dynamics are unfavorable for Taiwan, with neither time nor opportunity on its side. Given that the U.S. is facing multifaceted crises in the Middle East, the available resources to address Taiwan’s situation remain limited.

In conclusion, the DPP government must ensure that Taiwan does not become another Israel!