美國政府對臺軍售,卻限制雙方軍事戰略對話、高層往來的現象,在柯林頓第二任期漸有突破的跡象,到了小布希政府更往前進一步。臺灣與美國的國防高層對話,顯示小布希政府對臺灣安全的關切,對臺灣國防官員予以尊嚴待遇,並增進臺灣軍方更加融入國際安全事務。在小布希政府任內,美國與臺灣的軍事合作,達到空前的密切水準,幾乎將未能提出於美國參議院表決的《臺灣安全加強法案》條文成為施政的作為。然而,2008年之前臺灣遲遲未能針對小布希總統同意的軍售案通過預算,卻造成臺美之間的一項潛在緊張因素。本文討論小布希政府任內美臺軍事合作的現況,分析它的目的、問題與未來的挑戰,兼論中國對臺軍事威脅及美臺的因應。
The U.S. government arms sales to Taiwan, while limiting Taiwan-U.S. strategic dialogues and high-level visits, underwent a breakthrough in the second Clinton administration. Into the Bush administration, the U.S.-Taiwan military cooperation took a dramatic adjustment. High-level defense officials meetings indicated that the Bush administration is concerned about Taiwan's security, by way of fair treatment of Taiwan's ranking officers and incorporating them into international arenas. During the Bush administration, the level of U.S. military cooperation with Taiwan is unprecedented and almost fulfills all the requirements stipulated in the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act. However, Taiwan's delay in the process of its arms procurement from the U.S. caused tension between the two countries. This article intends to examine U.S.-Taiwan military cooperation, through analyzing its purposes, issues, and future challenges. It will also discuss China's military threat to Taiwan and how the U.S. and Taiwan respond to this threat.