International

Electoral Impact of DPP Spying Cases Likely Limited

A series of scandals have broken out regarding Chinese espionage cases at high levels of the DPP. Though several cases have now been reported, the highest profile has been that of a former assistant of National Security Council secretary-general Joseph Wu. It, of course, raises concerns that an assistant of Taiwan’s top national security official was implicated in Chinese espionage...

The Pro-Unification Left, Anti-War Left, and the “Yaya in Taiwan” Case

A controversy has again broken out regarding the pro-unification left in Taiwan. In particular, this scandal revolves around the strong stance that pro-unification left groups have taken in defense of “Yaya in Taiwan”, the Chinese Douyin influencer who expressed support for the military unification of Taiwan and China. Defense for Yaya has largely been framed as defense of freedom of speech–and against the DPP’s curbs on freedoms of speech in the name of security...

The Rodrigo Roa Duterte Case: An Explainer

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is the first Filipino and the first Asian to be arrested by the International Criminal Court. He has been accused of orchestrating a series of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) that occurred during his time as mayor of Davao City (2011–2016) and continued under his anti-drug campaign as president (2016–2019). According to the ICC Prosecutor, this falls under what is called crimes against humanity—killings or exterminations committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population...

Taiwan Should Step Up Aid to Myanmar’s Future Government, Not Its Current Military Junta

A Taiwanese rescue team dispatched to Myanmar in the wake of the 7.7 earthquake that struck the country earlier this week has been dissolved after more than 48 hours on standby. Reportedly, neither the Thai authorities nor the Myanmar authorities responded to Taiwan’s offer of assistance after both countries were impacted by the earthquake, collapsing buildings, and killing thousands...