Francis Tuschek Taiwan is set to dispatch officials at the deputy minister level to the United States for the rollout of its first F-16 Block 70 jet among a total of 66 units. Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) announced this during a legislative committee meeting on Thursday, while noting that the US has…
Richard Sanders President William Lai announced a comprehensive plan yesterday, outlining 17 strategies designed to counter increasing infiltration efforts from China, Hong Kong, and Macau. The initiatives range from reinstating the military court system to tightening scrutiny on immigrants from these regions. Following a meeting with national security officials, Lai addressed concerns over recent incidents…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor The delay in the delivery of a batch of domestically made trainer jets to the air force is due to problems with “external procurement components and systems,” the military said in a report sent to lawmakers for review today. The military’s top research unit, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor The geopolitical landscape of East Asia is increasingly precarious, with rising tensions between China and Taiwan capturing global attention. An invasion of Taiwan by China would not only impact the immediate region but also have far-reaching consequences for countries worldwide, including the United Kingdom. While the UK may seem geographically…
Richard Sanders Taiwan continues to bolster its combat capabilities and acquire advanced military equipment, guided by its national defense strategy, government officials reaffirmed today. Their remarks followed a Nikkei Asia report suggesting that former US President Donald Trump might have urged Taiwan to purchase more arms to address the trade imbalance between the two nations….
Brian Iselin, Associate Editor- Brussels A Bold Strategy for DeterrenceAs tensions in the Taiwan Strait continue to simmer, it’s clear that Taipei needs to rethink its defensive posture. Having spent years studying Asian security dynamics, I believe Taiwan has a unique opportunity to create a formidable deterrent against potential aggression. The key? A robust missile…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor The delicate balance of power in East Asia has long hinged on the capabilities and intentions of regional players. Among these, Taiwan, now officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), has historically maintained a complex strategic relationship with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the United States. One…
Richard Sanders An undersea cable connecting Taiwan to Penghu County was severed, the Ministry of Digital Affairs announced today, with suspicions pointing toward a Chinese-funded ship. This incident comes just a month after another Chinese vessel was suspected of damaging an undersea cable near Keelung Harbor. The National Communications and Cyber Security Center reported at…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Title: Rising Tensions in the Taiwan Strait: Taiwan Responds to China’s Live-Fire Drill Date: October 6, 2023 In a significant escalation of cross-strait tensions, Taiwan has mobilized its military in response to China’s recent live-fire military drills conducted in proximity to the self-governing island. The drills, which Beijing characterized as…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor A developing maritime incident that has captured international attention, Taiwanese authorities have detained a Chinese-crewed cargo ship suspected of tampering with undersea communication cables. This breach raises significant concerns over national security, maritime regulations, and the stability of vital communication networks in the region. The incident underscores the increasing tensions…