The Intelligence from The Economist ROC and a hard place: Taiwan’s lessons from Ukraine
May 2, 2022
Anton LaGuardia, The Economist's diplomatic editor, shares insights on Taiwan's evolving defense strategies influenced by the Ukraine conflict, highlighting the challenges posed by China. Sarah Burke, bureau chief for Mexico and Central America, discusses El Salvador's tough stance on gang violence, examining the implications of authoritarian measures on civil liberties. The conversation delves into the connections between climate-related events and voter support for green legislation, revealing how extreme weather shapes public opinion and political priorities.
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Taiwan's anxieties amplified by Ukraine
- Taiwan is drawing parallels to Ukraine, fearing a similar invasion from China.
- The war in Ukraine has made the previously unthinkable scenario of a Chinese invasion imaginable.
Taiwan's shift in defense strategy
- Taiwan is learning from Ukraine's defense strategies, focusing on asymmetry.
- This involves using mobility, camouflage, and smaller, cheaper weapons to counter a larger force.
China's potential invasion strategies
- China's potential invasion tactics include missile strikes, blockades, and amphibious assaults.
- They might use a naval exercise as a cover to quickly establish a blockade and threaten nuclear escalation.