On November 17, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) organized a discussion in Washington. Specifically, they shone a spotlight on the dire security needs Taiwan faces as a result of constant intimidation from China. The event gathered experts and stakeholders to discuss strategies and implications for Taiwan’s defense posture, particularly in the context of recent exercises simulating Chinese tactics for potential unification.
During the seminar, FDD showcased insights from a tabletop exercise conducted in collaboration with a Taiwanese university over the summer. This exercise was to conceptualize different potential scenarios and understand what China’s possible strategies would be for the unification of Taiwan, and how Taiwan could best respond to them. The primary exercise ground rule was that no kinetic force could be applied. This created opportunity for participants to focus their time deep diving into strategic planning and defensive responses, excluding time spent in live-action simulations.
FDD, a prominent think tank based in Washington, has been instrumental in fostering dialogue about democratic governance and security challenges worldwide. The seminar featured an impressive lineup of expert speakers. One of them was Craig Singleton, who provided fascinating insights into regional security dynamics and their implications for Taiwan.
The panels underscored Taiwan’s urgent task of strengthening its overall security posture in the face of rising Chinese aggressiveness. Analysts emphasized that Taiwan’s unique geopolitical position necessitates strategic investments in defense capabilities, including energy security initiatives such as potential collaborations with Alaska’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects. This collaboration would not only help Taiwan improve its energy independence, but greatly bolster its own resilience to external coercion.
FDD provided attendees with excellent visual documentation of the event. You can view a pretty great shot from the seminar on their website. This vibrant, creative imagery is a remarkable testimony to Taiwan’s policymakers and scholars, who all remain actively engaged in addressing Taiwan’s future security landscape.