Should Taiwan Have Nukes?

They NEED them.

Chris, is there anyway for Allen Xie to join CU on a more permanent basis?

If Xi Jinping were to watch some BABYMETAL videos is it possible that his heart could melt and he would stop all Chinese aggression in the Pacific?

My answer on whether Taiwan should have nuclear weapons is No. Taiwan or Republic of China to be more precise should have international recognition as the only China one can have relations with. Here's my question for you: What's the largest Chinese city fewest people outside China have heard of and why is that?

Taiwan's unwillingness to acquire ballistic missile defense capabilities is a fine example of Taipei's bowing (kowtowing) to Beijing. Taiwan's unwilling to offend makes Taipei somewhat of difficult partner in the security and foreign policy realms. As for the USA providing additional clear cut measures of commitment to Taiwan in the future - don't count on it: we too are walking a tightrope between all parties. Nevertheless, US naval developments (read AEGIS and other weapon and defense systems, etc) certainly provide greater capabilities to support Taiwan should a shooting war erupt. It's all a game of go, at which the Chinese rule: constant pressure over time at all points.

If Taiwan were to start building its nuclear weapons capability, that would likely be considered by Mainland China to be an overt provocation which would likely precipitate an international crisis the outcome of which would be, at best, unknowable. In the alternative, the USA could beef up its military presence in the region providing a reasonably prompt and effective military response capability should the USA need to come to Taiwan's aid in the event of Chinese aggression against the island -- as opposed to what appears to be an attenuated capability at present which makes Taiwan quiet vulnerable to a first strike. Are you aware of any such plans or studies designed to augment the USA's willingness and ability to provide such a clear measure of commitment to Taiwan at this time?