Global Taiwan Institute’s Post

As the year comes to an end, ISDP's Korea Center would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🥳 A short reflection on the year that passed:  Overall, has the situation on the Korean Peninsula changed drastically in the year 2024. North Korea has become a belligerent in Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine as an immediate result of their Strategic Partnership Agreement, which was signed and ratified this year. The long-term repercussions of this greater cooperation remains unknown, but one thing is for sure; North Korea is currently in a far better financial and domestic situation than ever before, partly due to Russian support. South Korea, on the other hand, is experiencing enormous hurdles as a result of President Yoon's effort to declare martial law on december 3rd as well as political divisions inside the country. With the population's calls for accountability continuing, Yoon's final impeachment looming, and high-ranking political and military individuals facing insurrection trials, the country faces several months of transformation. ISDP's Korea Center strives to continue to foster constructive conversation and information sharing among policymakers, professionals, think tanks, and research institutions worldwide, as the challenges of 2024 will continue in 2025. Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP), Mats Engman, Tove Jalmerud, Johanna Miskolczi Persson, Irene Spennacchio

Pleased to share my latest contribution to The National Bureau of Asian Research's Special Report on Encounters and Escalation in the Indo-Pacific. Together with colleagues from Australia, India, Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan, this report aims to understand the PLA’s strategic calculus on escalation, assessing the potential for conflict in the region and exploring shared threat perceptions, regional responses, and implications for deterrence. My chapter closely examines one incident in particular, the HD-981 standoff between Vietnam and China in 2014. I argue that China’s decision to dispatch the HD-981 had the main goal of demonstrating resolve. However, Beijing miscalculated the reaction of the Vietnamese leadership and “underestimated the domestic factors that affected Hanoi’s decision-making process.” Vietnam successfully exploited this miscalculation, forcing China to abandon its coercive actions. Although there were no significant policy changes, Vietnam’s reaction against Chinese aggressive gray-zone tactics was considered, as I borrow the words of Alexander Vuving, a “glass-ceiling breaking” moment. https://lnkd.in/gHpTBhAq

Not to be dramatic, but this race will define our species. It will take a Whole of Society approach, public/private partnership, and a lot of money. "We've seen throughout history that countries that are first to exploit periods of rapid technological change can often cause shifts in the global balance of power." There are many other interesting and relevant recommendations in this report, including that Congress should repeal Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) for China, bolster export controls for dual-use technologies, and further support and arm Taiwain as a "NATO Plus" member. Read more 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e3jKT5Mq

The #EU in 2021 devised a plan to counter #Beijing's #expansionism and bring the European economy back in the right direction. The plan openly had one goal: to counter #Chinese colonialism and reassert European development. Its name is #GlobalGateway. However, after three years have passed, countless objective data show that many #EU infrastructure projects financed by institutions such as the European Investment Bank (#EIB) are carried out by #Chinese companies! "#Brussels' comprehensive infrastructure plan does not challenge Beijing, but relies on Beijing." This is a policy that goes against the interests of #Europeans, undermines the #nationalsecurity of member states, and contributes to #XiJinping's dream of world domination. The facts prove liquidly and objectively that #Brussels is just a den of spies and corrupt people. https://lnkd.in/dSh4_haG

Battle Of Kinmen: When Taiwan Defeated China Not Once But Twice & Repelled Invading PLA Troops A small island in the Taiwan Strait has been caught in the middle of an unending wrangling between Taiwan and China. Taiwan’s frontline territory—the Kinmen Island—finds itself in a unique position where it represents Taiwanese sovereignty but sits near the Chinese mainland. Kinmen is a small archipelago belonging to the Republic of China (RoC) or Taiwan. It is located...

❗New CSDS Policy Brief❗ "Proven Partners: Towards the Implementation of the Republic of Korea-NATO Tailored Partnership", by Kim Sung-han and Ramon Pacheco Pardo. This is part one of a three-part policy brief series on ROK-NATO-Europe sponsored by The Korea Foundation. Read🔸 https://lnkd.in/e3yuN-7p

Japan's resurgence onto the global stage marks a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape. In my analysis, I delve into the factors driving Japan's newfound prominence and the implications for regional and global affairs. From economic revitalization to assertive foreign policy, Japan's trajectory deserves close attention as it emerges as a key player in shaping the future of international relations. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gAhi5YMT #Japan #Geopolitics #GlobalAffairs #Resurgence

What are the key factors shaping the EU's approach to the Indo-Pacific amid growing rivalry between China and the United States? (Re)watch our sixth ENGAGE webinar featuring Gulshan Sachdeva, Giulia Tercovich & Gunnar Wiegand in a panel moderated by Gustavo G. Müller👇 engage-eu.eu/e13

Today's op-ed in the The Japan Times on who will plug and play in #AUKUS #Japan? #CANADA? #Southkorea? Txs Tom Corben for his inspiration on this one and his articulation of what piller three might be "Tokyo, Ottawa and Seoul must demonstrate their value to the AUKUS minilateral partnership in pillars two and three, not only by their ability to plug and play, but also by showcasing the sustainability of their commitment, the additional value they can contribute and their dedication to maximizing AUKUS' effectiveness in promoting a rules- based order in the Indo-Pacific." https://lnkd.in/grE7pY2b