Defending Taiwan

Recent concern about mainland China’s intentions towards Taiwan, and more general concern about the risk of instability in the region, has led to growing interest in Taiwan’s military strategy, in how Taiwan perceives threats to itself, and in how the Taiwanese military are reacting to these perceived threats. This book, which includes contributions by leading Taiwanese military thinkers, explores current military strategy in Taiwan and how it is evolving. It discusses Taiwan’s military modernisation, and the implications of the recent defeat after fifty years in power of the Kuomintang Party, implications which include a move away from an authoritarian garrison state culture, and the beginnings of a more open debate about defence. The book concludes with an overall appraisal of Taiwan’s defence vision and makes recommendations on how Taiwan’s defence might be enhanced.

Author Biography

Martin Edmonds is Professor Fellow and Director of the Centre for Defense and International Security Studies at Lancaster University and Editor in Chief of Defense and Security Analysis. He is also Co-Director of the Lancaster and York Universities Defense Research Institute. Dr Michael M.Tsai is the Publisher of Taiwan Defense Affairs. He is a legislator in Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan (Parliament), an advisor of the Organizational Planning Committee of the Ministry of National Defense and the Convener of the Defense Policy Committee of the DPP (Democratic Progressive Party).