Taiwan lies close to a chain of Japanese islands and heavily trafficked waters. Some of those islands are described as within Patriot missile range of Taiwan, bringing neighboring territory into the invasion scenario. Electronic warfare or mistaken targeting could send anti-ship missiles toward neutral shipping and trigger a diplomatic crisis. Taiwan's cities also give defenders many ways to delay an assault, after decades of preparation against invasion. Both neutral territory and resistance ashore would complicate Chinese efforts to keep an operation short and geographically contained.
Chapter · 15:45-24:39
Taiwan's geography complicates invasion and escalation control
Nearby Japanese islands, missile ranges, dense cities, and limited landing approaches make geography a constraint on both invasion and escalation.