A conflict between the U.S. and China over Taiwan could lead to nuclear war — IISS

The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) has warned that a potential conflict between the U.S. and China over Taiwan could escalate into a nuclear confrontation. Against this backdrop, the world is heading toward a new arms race.

According to Reuters, the IISS report notes that during a possible clash, both sides could carry out large-scale military operations targeting the enemy’s command centers and communications systems.

Analysts emphasize that Taiwan is of strategic importance to Beijing, and therefore the conflict could quickly reach a dangerous level of escalation.

The document also states that China is expanding and modernizing its arsenal faster than any other nuclear power. According to Pentagon estimates, Beijing plans to have about 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030.

Currently, according to experts, Russia has approximately 4,400 active warheads, the U.S. has 3,700, and China has about 620.

The IISS is particularly concerned about the lack of clear deterrence mechanisms between Washington and Beijing that could limit strikes on critical infrastructure and command-and-control systems.

The report was released ahead of the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore, where the issue of Taiwan will be one of the main topics.

For the second day in a row, a tense standoff has been ongoing between Taiwanese and Chinese coast guard forces near the strategically important Pratas Islands in the South China Sea.

Beijing has criticized Germany after a group of German lawmakers visited Taiwan. China stated that such trips are politically sensitive and could affect bilateral relations between the countries.