13. The Taiwan Strait Crisis (1995-1996)
In 1995, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) conducted missile tests near Taiwan, aiming to intimidate the Taiwanese electorate ahead of the 1996 presidential election. The United States responded by deploying naval forces to the region, demonstrating its commitment to Taiwan’s security. Through careful diplomacy, both nations avoided direct conflict, though regional tensions remained high. For a comprehensive analysis, refer to the Council on Foreign Relations’ overview of China-Taiwan relations (cfr.org).
