Crisis in the Taiwan strait?

The simmering dispute over the status of Taiwan may soon explode in violence. The Chinese regime sees Taiwan's recent democratization as an implicit challenge to its own authority and legitimacy and thus continues to threaten and intimidate the island. Meanwhile, Taiwan has procured advanced defensive weapons from the United States. Growing tensions across the Taiwan Strait, along with the lack of military and diplomatic communication, make conflict-possibly involving the United States-increasingly likely. To avoid such an outcome, Washington should actively facilitate cross strait dialogue and deter provocations by either side. But it must do so soon, for both China and Taiwan are growing impatient.