The Pentagon has formally requested Japan and Australia to clarify their potential roles in the event of a military conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan, according to multiple reports including the Financial Times. This move reflects increasing U.S. pressure on its key allies in the Indo-Pacific region to define their positions amid rising tensions with China. The request aims to enhance deterrence against possible Chinese aggression toward Taiwan. Both Japan and Australia have expressed unease about the demand. Analysts suggest this could signal a shift away from the U.S. policy of strategic ambiguity regarding defense commitments to Taiwan. The U.S. Department of Defense is also reportedly considering whether to press other allies for similar clarifications on their stance toward a potential China-Taiwan conflict.