I read Tom Plate's Aug. 23 article, "Scrutinizing the Chinese threat to Taiwan," with interest. While there is a lot of support in the United States for Taiwan and Japan, the current political climate suggests that neither Taiwan nor Japan should count on U.S. support in the short term. Americans no longer have the stomach for protracted conflicts and have an even higher aversion to high casualties.
The chief character flaw that most Americans have in common is a lack of patience. Which leads most Americans to not think long-term and reject any plan or action that does not result in immediate results or gratification.
All of America's allies should, therefore, plan to fight any war or invasion on their own until Americans are convinced to act and muster their forces. Nations are not friends with other nations; nations are allied because of self-interest.