While we can likely all agree "silicone" is not the issue, silicon chips is undoubtedly an important variable. The Taiwanese government agrees too, and does think chips will play a role:

"Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, told one group that she saw the island’s tech prowess as a means of shoring up support for its democracy. Calling economic security a “pillar” of national security, she said Taiwan was willing to work with partners to build sustainable supply chains for what she called “democracy chips.”

> https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/29/technology/taiwan-chips.h...

This is hardly an "out-there" take, too.

What does our dedication have to do with if not that?

Why are you so quick to dismiss being protective of such an important resource as a motivation to protect Taiwan?