Decisions about Taiwan's military requirements should be made on the basis of Taiwan's defensive needs and not U.S. diplomatic relations with Beijing. U.S.-China relations are obviously important, but U.S. resolve in standing by our friends and allies is a critical backstop to ensure that our policy towards Beijing works.

Panelists will discuss the Taiwan Relations Act and other current issues regarding Taiwan and U.S. relations.

Attempting to get confirmed for a position in an area that already has a legacy of policy decisions can be a tough business—especially when the policy is as flawed as the Obama team's when it comes to Taiwan.

Failure to rebalance ties with Taiwan has longer-term consequences, not the least of which is a China that thinks it can call the shots in this key area of the world. (INCLUDES VIDEO)

Taiwan doesn't just need upgrades to its existing F-16s; it needs new fighters as well. Quantity and quality are both needed if Taiwan is to have a fighting chance in defending itself or, at least, holding off the Chinese until American help arrives.

China's deployment of more than 100 additional ballistic missiles is a sobering reminder that the Taiwan Relations Act has a very serious purpose.