Cross-strait relations

Trump plays a dangerous game, bargaining with Taiwan’s defense

The president’s post-China-summit comments about arms for Taipei invite trouble.

China Is Preparing for a Robot-Led Taiwan Invasion

China’s use of military robotics is a warning to the United States and Taiwan to accelerate robotics deployment and counter-robotics defenses to preserve deterrence.

Taiwan Authorizes New Defense Spending To Counter Chinese Coercion

Taiwan will ramp up arms purchases following the approval of new defense spending. On May 8, Taiwan’s legislature passed a $25 billion supplement to the island’s annual defense budget, ending months...

KMT Risks Missing the Lessons of the Wars in Ukraine and Iran

Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang is poised to pass a defense budget that falls short of the lessons wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have made unmistakably clear on drones, layered air defense, and offensive deterrence. With the 2026 and 2028 elections approaching, can it afford to keep signaling weakness on the issue that matters most?

In Major Reversal, Taiwan Seeks To Rewire Its Energy Strategy by Restarting its Nuclear Plants

The Taiwanese government is reversing course on permanently closing its nuclear reactors. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has presented a plan to restart two of the island’s shuttered nuclear reactors...

China’s Military Drills Around Taiwan Elicit Only Token U.S. Response

China launched large-scale military drills around Taiwan this week acting on the pretext that Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te made offensive remarks in a major speech. These latest drills reflect Beijing’s...

Taiwan, Under the Guns

Readout of FDD Expert’s Trip to Taiwan

Beijing’s Post-Election Plan for Taiwan

Expect China to double down on political warfare.

Democracy’s high stakes in Taiwan’s vote  

Taiwan’s upcoming election stands as a litmus test of the Chinese Communist Party’s political warfare strategy, specifically whether disinformation and military drills alone can bend Taipei’s...

Taiwan’s green energy gamble  

Excerpt China’s increasing militarism in the Taiwan Strait is no secret. Yet, as Taipei transitions from nuclear to renewable energy sources, it risks inadvertently amplifying its vulnerabilities...

Beijing Mounts Record-Breaking Warship Deployments Around Taiwan as Island’s Presidential Election Approaches 

China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) deployed a record number of warships near Taiwan this month, surpassing a previous high established after former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s travelled...

Upcoming Paraguayan Election a Bellwether for Taiwan’s International Standing

The outcome of this month’s hotly contested Paraguayan election will likely determine whether Asuncion maintains diplomatic relations with Taipei or switches recognition to Beijing, a move that would...

Why Taiwan’s tech sector is beyond Beijing’s reach

Excerpt The recent meeting between Taiwan’s President, Tsai Ing-wen, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) brought predictable threats of “consequences” from Beijing, as China launched...

Ukraine’s Cyber Defense Offers Lessons for Taiwan

Washington should work with Taipei to stiffen the island's defenses against network attacks.

China’s Ukraine Peace Plan Is Actually About Taiwan

Beijing’s phony proposal lays bare its conditions for winning an East Asian war.

Bring Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen to Capitol Hill

Rather than visit the island, Kevin McCarthy should invite her to address a joint session.

Don’t Fight the Last War

Politicians, like generals, have a tendency to fight the last war. But Chinese leader Xi Jinping likely understands that he cannot wage a future conflict over Taiwan by replicating the strategy that failed...