Our World Changes Bush Vs. After leaving UPI last May, she began writing a political column for Hearst Newspapers. It will run on TheCarolinaChannel twice a week. And he indicates that the United States would not necessarily defend Taiwan if the island committed a provocative act such as declaring independence from the mainland. It's easy to see why people are puzzled.
Some aides insist there is no change in policy.
The debate on Bush's China policy began when he gave a rash of interviews in connection with his first 100 days in office. This reminds me of the Gulf of Tonkin resolution that President Lyndon B. Johnson used to justify escalation of U.S. involvement in Vietnam. Under that policy, Taiwan is not considered an independent nation but instead as a breakaway province of China. His adminstration waffles back and forth. The issues are complex, and so are the answers.