China is closely studying the failed Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel as a potential blueprint for a future invasion of Taiwan, according to experts. The attack, which saw more than 300 drones and missiles launched by Iran, was largely thwarted by Israel and its allies. Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the US-Taiwan Business Council, suggested that China would be analyzing the incident to understand how to overcome the technology and alliances that prevented the attack from being successful.
Both Israel and Taiwan rely on US support in case of an attack, with the recent approval of $8 billion in aid for security in the Indo-Pacific region, including Taiwan, highlighting the importance of US backing for Taiwan's defense. However, Hammond-Chambers expressed concerns about the level of cooperation among allies in the Indo-Pacific compared to the Middle East, where a coordinated effort successfully countered the Iranian attack.
Former commander of the Office of Naval Intelligence Mike Studeman warned that China appeared to be moving towards a potential conflict over Taiwan, with significant modernization of the People's Liberation Army underway to give China more options in dealing with Taiwan. Tensions between China and Taiwan have been on the rise, particularly since the Democratic Progressive Party's victory in Taiwan's 2024 presidential elections and high-profile visits by US officials to Taiwan, which China has viewed as provocations.
China's military exercises around Taiwan have escalated in response to perceived threats of independence movements in Taiwan, with live-fire drills and stern warnings issued as a show of force. The situation remains tense, with both sides closely monitoring each other's actions and preparing for potential conflict.