The United States has sent a group of former senior defense and national security officials to assure Taiwan that it “stands firm behind its commitments,” amid the backdrop of Russian aggression in Eastern Europe. The five-member delegation met with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on March 2, after arriving in Taipei a day earlier. The surprise two-day trip came as a sign of a beefed-up bilateral partnership, amid looming threats from authoritarian powers such as Russia and China. “I do hope by being here with you, we can reassure you and your people, as well as our allies and partners in the region, that the United States stands firm behind its commitments,” said former U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen, in remarks at the Presidential Office. Referring to the escalating Russia–Ukraine conflict, Mullen said continued peace and stability of the world have never been more important. “We come to …