A former head of US Strategic Command told Taiwan's leadership that turning defense into a party-politics weapon only helps Beijing — a warning aimed at Taiwan's own domestic fights over military spending.

• The struggle that began with the 1996 Taiwan Strait crisis never ended, and Beijing's behavior around Taiwan and in the South China Sea is getting more aggressive.
• When national defense becomes a tool for short-term party gain, the only winner is the adversary.
• Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim said Taiwan is raising defense spending, reforming the military, and building civilian resilience, while China still refuses to talk to Taiwan's elected government.
• US backing for Taiwan remains strong and crosses party lines, resting on shared values as much as on chips.
• The lesson of 1996 was that Taiwanese voters went to the polls anyway — ballots answered missiles.

Outlook: Taiwan is pushing defense spending toward 3% of GDP, but internal political fights over the budget are the bigger near-term risk to deterrence.