[andromeduck]

If the US doesn't defend Taiwan then its defense treaties with Japan and Korea become all but worthless and we'd likely see a major build up if nothing else.

The real danger is if the east and South and South East Asian countries can't put their historical differences behind them and China is allowed to divide and conquer or blitz their way through South East Asia such as via naval blockades of the SCS/Malaca or environmental terrorism via Mekong dam.

[sudosysgen]

I'm not sure. There is no treaty that binds the US to defend Taiwan.