Thu. Nov 14th, 2024

Since Lai Ching-te was elected president of Taiwan on Jan. 13, foreign-policy analysts have been vigorously debating the implications of the election on geopolitics. Lai, like Taiwan’s current president, rejects China’s claims of sovereignty over the island. While Beijing’s response has been relatively subdued, there are serious concerns among experts about potential retaliation from China and its effects on Taiwan, the United States, and global democracy. The essays below examine various aspects of this situation, including cross-strait relations and U.S. policy of strategic ambiguity. The Biden administration is hopeful that Lai Ching-te will perceive the threat of a cross-strait invasion as seriously as the U.S. Supporters of Lai Ching-te are waiting for him to speak at the headquarters of the Democratic Progressive Party in Taipei, Taiwan. The change in leadership in Taiwan is expected to provoke a reaction from Beijing. Beijing has a history of using its backyard as a testing ground for foreign influence operations. U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi discusses U.S. involvement in conflicts abroad and its relevance to Taiwan with FP’s Ravi Agrawal.

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