IISS warns Taiwan flashpoint could spark nuclear crisis

A new report from a leading defense research organization warns that a potential military conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan could rapidly escalate into a nuclear crisis, highlighting growing strategic instability in the Asia-Pacific region. The assessment was released ahead of the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, which convenes defense officials and experts from around the world.

The report, from the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), identifies Taiwan as the most dangerous flashpoint in U.S.-China relations. It states that in the event of a conflict, China would likely attempt to isolate Taiwan and keep U.S. forces at bay, while Washington and its allies would focus on defending the island and maintaining military access in the Pacific. Analysts warn such a confrontation could quickly spread across multiple domains, including naval, cyber, space, and missile operations.

One of the most concerning findings is the risk that attacks on critical military communication and command systems could unintentionally trigger nuclear escalation. The report explains that both nations would likely target each...