On September 29, 2022, Ian Easton (Senior Director, Project 2049 Institute) discussed with James Lin (Assistant Professor, University of Washington) Taiwan\u2019s current defense situation, including newly announced budget increases, institutional reforms, and changing threats.<\/p>\n
Easton stressed that Taiwan faces a real and increasing threat of invasion from the PRC. However, leadership in Taipei had sidelined the issue in recent years and a sense of complacency was prevalent among Taiwanese citizens: war seemed like an impossibility. Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine roused the island as recent public opinion polling depicts Taiwanese citizens demanding more military investment and preparedness from their government. President Biden\u2019s affirmation of U.S. troop support for Taiwan if an invasion by China were to occur marks a further shift in the strategic environment. Easton also focused on Taipei\u2019s increased transparency exposing CCP-sponsored disinformation campaigns and border harassment by the PLA as pronounced improvements in engaging citizens with \u201cgray zone\u201d warfare which Taiwan continues to confront. Although Taipei has made improvements and the international community\u2019s awareness of the tense situation has increased, Easton maintained that Taiwan has much to do.<\/p>\n
For more on our interview with Ian Easton, please watch below, or on our YouTube channel<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n