RAB Source Entry – Alexis Rodriguez

Part 1: MLA CITATION 

   Kanno-youngs, Zolan, and Peter Baker. “Biden Pledges to Defend Taiwan If It Faces Chinese Attack.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 23 May 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/23/world/asia/biden-taiwan-china.html. 

Part 2: Summary 

         In the article “Biden Pledges To Defend Taiwan If It Faces A Chinese Attack” by Kanno Youngs, and Baker informs us that Biden has reaffirmed allies that the United States will use economically, financially, and militarily aid to defend its allies including Taiwan. According to the writer, military ties with Taiwan has been guaranteed by Biden, more than past presidents. The authors support this as it is mentioned that even though the United States have always preferred strategic ambiguity to leave China guessing on how the United States would respond if it attacked Taiwan. Biden has confirmed that it will defend Taiwan militarily if it was attacked by China, and it will go beyond the aid that it has provided Ukraine. They will defend Taiwan as if they were a close ally such as NATO, South Korea, and Japan. Which are remarkably close to the US, Pro Western Allies, as it’s spoken by Biden himself when asked if he will defend Taiwan from China “Yes, we have a commitment to do that.” Despite that he believes that Xi Jinping, President of China, will not invade Taiwan. However, others are skeptical because Xi Jinping has been announcing a more aggressive approach regarding Taiwan which included violating Taiwanese Airspace. Knowing that China is a threat to Taiwan, the Indo-pacific and the United States, they know they have to slow down if not halt Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific the United States has created an economic 13-chain bloc to counter Chinese influences in the Indo-pacific.  

Part 3: Reflection 

I appreciate the fact that the United States will be supporting Taiwan in this potential conflict as this will have a significant number of negative affects to put it mildly. We do not need more people dying from war, migrating to different countries because they feel unsafe, and people suffering emotional damage from losing loved ones. This will also have a negative effect on the world economy due to the fact that the two largest economic powers will be going to war. With the United States having the strongest military and China having the most people. War will be costly, and I don’t want to see it happen obviously. The United States having a bloc that deters China from going to war is a good thing because China is an authoritan government, a while the United States in of itself is a flawed democracy, it’s still the better of two evils in this regard. In conclusion, this article is not only informative to bring light to this dangerous situation but also shows to everyone that a conflict could be brewing.  

Part 4: Rhetorical Analysis  

Young’s and Baker’s primary audience was everyone, because the article involves a quote from Biden pledging, he would defend Taiwan. This will affect the entire world, so the world needs to be informed on why the two strongest military and economic countries are going to war with each other. Their writing style is expository, as well as it gets to the point. The authors use ethos further enforces their purpose of the United STates defending Taiwan as they are quoting Biden, the President of the United States, so it further backs their purpose. The authors themselves are incredibly reliable as well, as Youngs, is a White House correspondent alongside with a 4-year writer for the NYT so theey have plenty of articles involving Security, immigrants, secret service. As well as covered articles for the wall street journal. Baker has a huge reputation since he is chief white house correspondent with a 20-year experience in the NYT reporting on elections, economic crises, Supreme Court nominations. Also won 3 awards devoted to White House reporting. 

Part 5: Notable quotes 

“The idea that it can be taken by force, just taken by force, is just not appropriate,” 

“It would dislocate the entire region and be another action similar to what happened in Ukraine. And so it’s a burden that is even stronger.” 

“we would respond” if there was an attack against a fellow member of NATO and then added, “same with Japan, same with South Korea, same with Taiwan.”