Regarding Taiwan, the topic de jour; we need to place TW in the context of an actual long-term strategy vs China that is realistic yet aligned with our interests and values.

I think the right long term strategy incorporates the following points: 1. Don't back China into a corner where they cease being a rational actor. In particular, this probably means not abandoning strategic ambiguity or stationing troops/nukes on TW

2. Continue providing TW moral support to counteract any defeatism that China is trying to spread. This means continuing military exercises near TW, supportive speeches, unofficial contacts, etc.

3. Provide TW asymmetric defensive weapons that will give TW time, and increase the cost for invading forces, even if they aren't enough by themselves. Things like underwater smart mines, hidden and survivable anti-ship or anti-air missiles, increased training, etc.

4. Work with TW on resilience again coercion, such as trade dependency or even a blockade (e.g. need to create stockpiles of food and fuel, etc)

I think China's huge internal issues will catch up to it eventually, greatly reducing its threat to TW and the world order, but it may take 10-20 years. During this in-between period, we need a strategy that deters China from rolling the dice without necessarily triggering it. Time is on our side, but we need to be extra careful the next 10 years.