The Visit Of Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan

05 Aug 2022 The Visit Of Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan
5 August 2022
By
Talal Abu Ghazaleh

The officially declared purpose of the visit is to express and to reconfirm the usual American support for Taiwan.

The hidden goal however must be different. It is a US message to urge China to admit that the time for both powers to sit and to negotiate the major challenges they both face and to agree on a new world order, has come. 

This American intent (if my predictions prove true) should be seen as a positive step to prevent further escalation of tensions that could culminate in an open military conflict.

In this case China would take the right decision in responding positively to the American gesture, and would be greatly appreciated for such a noble step. This is the right alternative to the other option, which may compel both sides to go to war to precipitate constructive negotiations; a war that could be devastating for both powers.

My assessment of the situation (as an observer) is that the challenges are enormous, very complicated, very difficult and very harsh; therefore very difficult to resolve. Each of the 15 points of contention between the two sided may defy any choice of a peaceful negotiated settlement and may only be settled by war. I hope that will not be needed.

But I unfortunately realize, as any reasonable observer may also do, that the current state of affairs and the resulting tensions, should not continue. The problem is that neither side is in full control of the tensions’ components, and may not be able to come to the negotiations table voluntarily.

Why should a credible, a respectable,  and mutually acceptable party, not step in and suggest a dialogue (not negotiations) under a neutral umbrella to search for political solutions without allowing the conflicts to drift so dangerously to war.

Or possibly a meeting to be organized for both sides by the Universities of Harvard and Beijing, hosted  at Geneva university for example. 
I may be dreaming. But why not. Dreams can sometimes come true. 

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