Written by Gerrit van der Wees. This article suggests that Taiwan-US relations in 2025 were turbulent. The year was marked by contradictory presidential statements, unprecedented congressional activism, and the codification of Taiwan’s strategic importance in U.S. defence and security planning. The latest PLA military exercise indicates that 2026 will be even more turbulent.
Written by Baosheng Guo. This article analyses Taiwan’s options in the face of Trump’s uncertain and unpredictable Taiwan policy. It suggests that Taiwan should urge the US to provide strategic clarity and strengthen its relationship with Europe. Taiwan should also weaponise the interdependence of its semiconductor industry with the US and prepare to restart its research and development of nuclear weapons.
Written by Laura Bonsaver. This article proposes that Europe should move beyond threat-centric framings of Taiwan and recognise it as an innovative, democratic, and technologically advanced partner. It recommends de-hyphenating Taiwan from militaristic narratives, normalising its role in Indo-Pacific strategies, and reframing Europe-Taiwan relations as mutually beneficial collaborations rather than dependency or crisis management.
Written by Alexandra Whitehead. This article asks what the China spy scandal in the UK means for Taiwan and analyses both its opportunities and risks, including the need to reassess its relations with Beijing and to clarify its legal framework to match its political rhetoric. Putting them together, the case is unlikely to drastically change the course of UK-Taiwan relations.
Written by Ashley Cheng. This article argues that Taiwan’s current energy trajectory is incompatible with its high-tech goals. Unless Taiwan vigorously accelerates its clean energy transition, it risks energy bottlenecks that could impact not just its climate crisis but also threaten both its national security and economic competitiveness.
Written by Lena McEachern. This article argues that Taiwan should reinvest in nuclear energy for its energy security in the current geopolitical climate. It is also a relatively environmentally clean energy source. Although the referendum to open Maanshan reactor did not reach the legal threshold necessary to pass, the DPP should build momentum towards restarting decommissioned reactors.
Written by Nils Peterson. This article analyses the domestic challenge for the Lai administration’s foreign policy under a KMT-aligned Legislative Yuan. The divided government poses two potential hurdles: the risk of domestic gridlock and fights over defence appropriation funding. These challenges will require some degree of compromise between the KMT and the DPP, reinforced by the recent recall campaigns.
Written by Alexandra Whitehead. This article assesses the importance of Taiwan in the UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) published in June 2025. It argues that the SDR recognises Taiwan’s global significance in the context of countering China, both in security and economic terms. However, it lacks explicit contingency planning to support Taiwan and remains ambiguous towards China.
Written by Ritika Passi. The article discusses the weaponisation of different chokepoints, using the India-Pakistan water dispute as a case study. It applies these insights to Taiwan, underscoring its vulnerabilities in the Taiwan Strait for trade and subsea cables for data. The author emphasises the need for Taiwan to enhance its economic security and resilience against potential disruptions.
Written by Hsiao-Chen Lin. The article examines how South Asia’s recent strategic developments, particularly Pakistan’s use of integrated C4ISR systems, offer crucial insights for Taiwan’s defense. It highlights China’s export of integrated warfare doctrines and Taiwan’s efforts to enhance its resilience through defence reforms, societal readiness, and strategic realignment amidst evolving Indo-Pacific dynamics.
Written by Sana Hashmi. This article discusses how the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict served as a critical case study for Taiwan, especially concerning a potential Chinese invasion. The author argues that China’s indirect support for Pakistan during the conflict allowed Beijing to test limited war scenarios, grey-zone tactics, and cognitive warfare strategies, mirroring Taiwan’s own strategic environment. This highlights Taiwan’s need to diversify its defense partnerships and enhance its resilience against disinformation.
Written by Sameer Patil. This article discusses how the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict unveiled a new chapter of cyber warfare and cognitive warfare. As the two nations exchanged conventional blows, an intense battle simultaneously unfolded in cyberspace, targeting digital infrastructure and spreading disinformation. Pakistan aggressively launched cyberattacks and propaganda, while India largely adopted a retaliatory and defensive cyber posture. This highlights the critical and evolving role of cyberspace in modern conflicts and offers key lessons for Taiwan regarding cybersecurity and countering disinformation.
Taiwan Insight 