International security and prosperity this century will be largely determined by the relationship between the United States and China, and that relationship finds its most acute test in the Taiwan Strait. Washington must chart a path that protects core U.S. interests and avoids a major military conflict with Beijing. That is best accomplished by taking steps alongside Taiwan to make an attack by Beijing unthinkable.

Mark Montgomery is senior director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ (FDD) Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation, and Bradley Bowman is senior director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power.

Image: Reuters.