Written by Meng Kit Tang. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te faces a critical leadership test amid a budget standoff with an opposition-controlled legislature. Key defence cuts, including Taiwan’s submarine program, raise security concerns. Lai must balance strong leadership and negotiation to avoid political paralysis. Lessons from Taiwan’s political history offer guidance for effective crisis management.
Written by YouHao Lai and Gahon Chiang. This article explores the procedural and substantive controversies of the unprecedented budget cuts and their impact on Taiwan’s government and national security, ad what might come next. The cuts disrupt the core government’s functions and policy implementation and efforts to strengthen its self-defence. It is a test of national will to ensure Taiwan’s long-term security.
Written by Chieh-Ting Yeh. This article argues the Trump administration’s approach to Ukraine cast a long shadow over America’s commitment elsewhere. The Taiwan issue does not just have strategic significance beyond Asia, it is also the defining test of the US commitment to maintaining a rules-based international order. Abandoning Taiwan undermines the credible deterrence of the US.
Written by Dominika Remžová and Dominika Urhová. The article begins with the modernisation of China’s military and its implications for Taiwan’s defense strategies. It emphasises the need for Taiwan to adopt asymmetric warfare approaches amid increasing Chinese military pressures and to reform its armed forces. Taiwan’s reliance on its critical semiconductor industry is also highlighted, showcasing its strategic importance.
Written by Kai-Chih Chang. This article explores the evolving global data landscape and the challenges of data sovereignty. Although traditional notions of state jurisdiction over data remain relevant, the borderless nature of the internet necessitates a new regulatory framework that balances the needs and interests of businesses, governments, and other stakeholders to realise the multifaceted value of data in driving economic growth and innovation.
Written by Zach Meyers. The concept of data sovereignty presents challenges for Taiwan, which relies heavily on open digital trade. While Taiwan’s Personal Data Protection Act allows cross-border data transfers with some restrictions, it still faces difficulties in asserting its standards due to its smaller market size and reliance on larger economies. To navigate these challenges, Taiwan may benefit from supporting multilateral data standards and strengthening its role as a key tech partner globally.
