SEC331e: The test of a first-rate Intelligence Wrote F. Scott Fitzgerald is the Ability to Hold Two Opposing Ideas in Mind at the Same Time: Theory and Practice in Security Studies Assignment, SUSS, Singapore

Question 1

‘The test of a first-rate intelligence wrote F. Scott Fitzgerald is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function. For decades just such an exercise of high-calibre ambiguity has kept the peace between America and China over Taiwan, an island of 24m people, 100 miles (160km) off China’s coast.

Leaders in Beijing say there is only one China, which they run, and that Taiwan is a rebellious part of it. America nods to the one-China idea, but has spent 70 years ensuring there are two.’ – The Economist, 1 May 2021 British magazine The Economist proclaimed Taiwan to be ‘the most dangerous place on Earth’ on its 1st May 2021 cover. Evaluate four reasons for and against the notion that a war between the US and China over Taiwan is imminent.