Darline Graham admits lack of national security knowledge in Senate debate

Republican Senate candidate Darline Graham acknowledged during a debate that national security is not her area of expertise, a statement that has drawn criticism given the geopolitical significance of Taiwan and the South China Sea. Graham admitted she is "not that informed on national security" during a debate, a week before her runoff election.

Taiwan and the South China Sea have long been major issues in U.S. foreign policy, and tensions involving China have kept both in the news in recent months. Beijing claims Taiwan as its own territory and asserts sovereignty over virtually the entire South China Sea, bringing it into confrontation with U.S. allies and partners in the region. What happens in Taiwan and the South China Sea could have an impact not only on the region but around the world, given their importance to global trade. The South China Sea is one of the world’s key maritime trade routes, and Taiwan produces the majority of the world’s advanced semiconductors.

Hunter S. Marston, director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Lowy Institute, stated that if China were to blockade or forcibly retake Taiwan, the South China Sea could see spillover effects. Taiwan is a self-ruled democracy that China claims as its own territory and has not renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. China sends military aircraft and coast guard ships around Taiwan daily and conducts large-scale military exercises, while Taiwan also holds regular drills.

The U.S. does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan but maintains extensive unofficial relations and is required by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself. During a past visit to Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping made clear that Taiwan remains the most important issue in the bilateral relationship. U.S. President Donald Trump described arms sales to Taiwan as a "very good negotiating chip" with China.

Marston noted that if China controlled Taiwan or if the U.S. clarified it would not defend Taiwan, China could project military power far into the South China Sea and beyond the first island chain into the Pacific. A conflict over Taiwan would have direct consequences for Southeast Asia, potentially requiring the evacuation of nearly 1 million citizens of ASEAN nations. China asserts sovereignty over much of the South China Sea, despite a 2016 international arbitration ruling that invalidated Beijing’s expansive maritime claims. In July, the U.S., the UK, and 12 other countries reiterated that China’s claims have no legal basis, but Beijing insisted it would not recognize the decision. Confrontations in the disputed waters have become more frequent, involving Chinese, Philippine, and Vietnamese forces. China has also carried out military drills near Scarborough Shoal, a disputed area. In April, the United States and the Philippines began annual Balikatan military exercises, including mock battle scenarios and live-fire exercises.