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The World Ahead | United States in 2024

With crises in Ukraine and Israel, can America still defend Taiwan?

American power is being stretched abroad and undermined at home

The US flag made of rope that's being stretched and frayed.
Illustration: Chantal Jahchan

By Anton La Guardia

WHEN JOE BIDEN entered the White House his priority was to establish “a stable, predictable relationship” with Russia and end America’s “forever wars” in the greater Middle East, to concentrate on the economy at home and rivalry with China abroad. It did not work out that way. Russia invaded Ukraine; Hamas attacked Israel. As America helps its friends under assault, can it still defend Taiwan?

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This article appeared in the United States section of the print edition of The World Ahead 2024 under the headline “Overstretched superpower”

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