What are the most pressing priorities for improving Taiwan’s self-defense, and how can the United States help Taiwan put itself in the best position to deter an invasion by China? Although Taiwan has long been a potential source of US-China conflict, recent developments have made the issue more salient, and there is a palpable sense of urgency in Washington to shore up Taiwan’s defenses. Taiwan faces a serious threat to its survival and needs to use its time and resources wisely, and the United States has an interest in improving Taiwan’s self-?defense capabilities. At the same time, Washington should eschew calls to depart from its long-standing policy of strategic ambiguity. Such a policy shift would do more to increase the risk of conflict instead of improving deterrence.