Regional Tensions

Migrant Workers as Subjects of a Taiwan Strait Contingency

An escalation of tensions in the Taiwan Strait—whether it transpires as a maritime blockade or a kinetic attack—would bring about disastrous social and economic consequences. Given the importance of the Taiwan Strait to international maritime trade and Taiwan’s critical role in supply chains of strategic technologies, including semiconductors, crisis scenarios consider several grave repercussions. These include immediate disruptions to global economic activity valued at over two trillion dollars, threats to Japan’s energy security, and shortages in the EU, which would exacerbate economic inequality, poverty, and the functioning of critical sectors...

Taken For Granted: Taiwan’s Flagship Foreign Policy Neglects Labor Issues

In its quest to diversify its political and economic engagements with the world, Taiwan keeps looking south. At the recent Yushan Forum, Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation Chairman Michael Hsiao proudly announced the launch of six new strategic corridors under the framework of the New Southbound Policy (NSP). This includes government-led initiatives to facilitate cooperation on technology, health, and resilience, as well as think tank, NGO, and youth corridors led by civil society...

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...