Abstract
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>Strategic deterrence now extends beyond nuclear weapons to include any capability that threatens a state or regime’s survival. Strategic deterrence shapes all U.S.–China competition over Taiwan. Xi Jinping is building an emerging “strategic coercion system” that includes both an unprecedented nuclear buildup and policies to make China more resilient to extreme punishment. The United States must respond accordingly to prepare for brinkmanship crises. It should recapitalize its nuclear triad, harden its nuclear command-and-control networks in outer space and cyberspace, forward deploy nuclear weapons and intermediate-range missiles in the region, and intensify cooperation with Japan and South Korea to strengthen extended deterrence. AI competition is inseparable from strategic deterrence, both because Taiwan is central to chip supply chains and because AI might facilitate advanced cyberattacks and intelligence operations. To preserve strategic stability, the U.S. nuclear, space, cyber, and technology strategies must be fully integrated.</jats:p>