During a recent keynote address, U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall emphasized that China is a current threat, not a future one, citing its significant military advancements and investments aimed at undermining U.S. power in the Indo-Pacific region. He highlighted China's ongoing expansion of nuclear forces and cyber capabilities, alongside increasingly sophisticated military exercises that could facilitate an invasion of Taiwan. Kendall noted that while war is not imminent, the likelihood of conflict is rising, and the U.S. must prepare accordingly. His observations reflect growing alarm among regional allies regarding China's assertiveness, particularly in relation to Taiwan and the Philippines. The U.S. has maintained a position of 'strategic ambiguity' regarding its defense commitments to Taiwan, while Kendall emphasized the need for readiness to prevent and prevail in potential conflicts.