China invasion of Taiwan

The president’s speech has a clear goal of boosting Chinese people’s declining confidence amid the past difficult years.

China is turning inwards, the U.S. is building deterrence, and Taiwan is committed to maintaining the status quo – all these factors will help keep the peace.

In the psychological sense, China’s “invasion” of Taiwan is well underway.

Manila’s latest National Security Policy does not reflect the catastrophic implications of a cross-strait conflict for the country's security.

Given the stakes involved, India needs to prepare for a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait. But how?

China is paying close attention to how Russia's logistical failures hampered its invasion of Ukraine – particularly as China will face an even steeper logistical challenge should it attack Taiwan.

The lesson China is most eager to learn from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: how to thwart U.S. reconnaissance. 

A cross-strait conflict would involve tremendous human suffering – and major difficulties in providing humanitarian aid.

Should China mount an invasion, Taiwan's political leadership and degree of social cohesion will be the most important factors in its defense.

U.S. strategists have long hypothesized that the weapon could play a major role in a war with China. Now Beijing is watching how it is being used by Ukraine's military.

While providing Taiwan with nuclear weapons may not be practical, including Taiwan under the U.S. nuclear umbrella is a feasible alternative.

Many Taiwanese feel a sense of kinship with Ukraine as it battles an invading neighbor. But only a few have made the heavy choice to travel to Ukraine and take up arms.