Taiwan and the US are deepening military cooperation with the establishment of a Joint Firepower Coordination Center, designed to improve target integration and precision strike planning amid rising pressure from China. Supporters argue the move strengthens deterrence by denial in the Taiwan Strait, while critics warn it could narrow strategic ambiguity. At the same time, questions have emerged over Washington’s priorities after Taiwan was not explicitly mentioned in the latest US National Defense Strategy, even as officials emphasize the First Island Chain. How should this omission be interpreted? And what does growing US–Taiwan operational integration mean for regional security? In this episode, we examine the Joint Firepower Coordination Center, evolving US strategy in the Indo-Pacific, and how Taiwan fits into shifting US defense planning under renewed US–China rivalry. *Recorded on February 5, 2026 at 2pm Taiwan Standard Time Host: Wen-Ti SungProducer: Chinyeh Chiang Our guests: Bryce C. Barros GLOBSEC’s GeoTech Center Associate FellowKitsch Liao Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub Associate Director Chapters:00:00:00 – Taiwan, US Build ‘Joint Firepower’ to Deter War00:01:38 – Taiwan and US Integrate Military Systems00:10:56 – Why Did US Omit Taiwan in Official Strategy?00:19:21 – Trump and Xi Talk Trade, Security Ahead of Visit
