Olympic shift in the balance of power

China+United States+Taiwan. The diplomatic relationship between these countries is interesting. Iraq may have reduced the chance for war between the three, but the olympics may be the real path for Taiwan's independence. The current balance of power on the issue hinges on China's veto power as a member of the security council over the Iraq war, North Korea, and Iran. The US needs China's support on these issues. While the US has been maintaing strong bonds with Taiwan through weapons deals. The olympics shifts the balance of power to Taiwan by creating an excellent opportunity for Taiwan to move forward with it's independence. The economic importance of the olympics to China may supersede the territorial importance of claiming Taiwan. War would be out of the question until after the olympics, giving Taiwan enough time to finalize its independence and solidify support for its democracy, or at the very least get a clear stance out of the United States before a war.

http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/east/08/18/willy.column/index.html