A new book seeks to transcend the perceived U.S.-centric discourse on a future Taiwan scenario by examining the critical and shifting role of key global actors and the implications for the Indo-Pacific region as well as the wider world.
WonkCount: 1,527 words (~7 minutes)
Review: Coming Alliance Test in Taiwan Strait Futures?
Context
“When we say the situation is becoming increasingly severe, we mean that the number of their government vessels in the waters surrounding Taiwan has increased, and there was a marked increase,” a senior Taiwan coast guard official was quoted as saying recently on China’s deployment of a record number of ships near Taiwan1. The statement came amid a series of related developments this past week with implications for Southeast Asian states, including ongoing speculation surrounding the next round of U.S.-China summitry and the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum meeting with Taiwan’s participation2.
Select Key Recent Geopolitical Developments Related to Taiwan and Cross-Strait Relations
A new book U.S. Allies and the Taiwan Strait by scholar Adam P. Liff seeks to transcend the perceived U.S.-centric discourse on a future Taiwan scenario by examining the complex dynamics of wider, evolving global positions at play3. In doing so, it adds to a series of recent books on the intersection of global and Indo-Pacific geopolitical and geoeconomic dynamics and evolving cross-Strait relations, including ones we have reviewed here on ASEAN Wonk. The work delves deep into the nuances of an issue where positions of even ‘like-minded’ countries can subtly diverge — whether it be the quiet conduct of naval transits out of the public spotlight or the handling of cross-Strait relations in Indo-Pacific outlooks4. “The stakes for the people of democratic Taiwan, regional peace and stability, China’s foreign relations, the international order, and the global economy could hardly be greater,” the book argues as it specifies some of the future implications of its findings5.
Analysis
The book also highlights key policy datapoints and implications (see originally-generated ASEAN Wonk table below for a summary of important contours. Paying subscribers can also read the rest of the “Analysis” section and “Implications” section looking at how these dynamics play out in the future).
Policy Significance And Implications, Along With Select Major Tendencies And Key Aspects
