Published since 2019 by the Fair Winds Foundation and Association of Foreign Relations, Taiwan Weekly provides in-depth report and analysis of the major issues facing Taiwan.
The recent order by President Donald Trump of the United States to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities marks a historic departure from a long-standing red line—the U.S. had refrained from attacking Iranian territory since 1979. The operation sends a clear message: Washington is willing to use force decisively when necessary. Yet to interpret this as a pivot from isolationism to an interventionist foreign policy—and as a security boon for Taiwan—may be dangerously simplistic.
DetailsOnce a source of calm and human warmth, Taiwan’s streets are increasingly permeated by suspicion and hostility. In a recent incident, a self-identified “pro-Taiwanese” fitness coach was accosted on the Metro while watching a video, with a stranger demanding, “Are you Chinese?” In another, a former special forces officer was taking a selfie in a public park when Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Claire Guo publicly accused him of being “sneaky,” uploading his photo online and filing a police report. These episodes are not isolated; they point to a disturbing trend of everyday interactions being poisoned by mistrust and paranoia.
DetailsPresident Lai Ching-te recently delivered the second installment of his "Ten Speeches on Unity" at a Hakka Youth Association event in Taoyuan. Yet, the focus of his speech—eliminating "impurities" through elections and recall votes—has sparked widespread alarm. For the head of state in a democratic nation to refer to dissenting voices as "impurities" stands in sharp contrast to the message of "unity," and strikes a particularly jarring chord.
DetailsImagine this scene: In the morning, a photo of President Lai Ching-te shaking hands warmly with opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) leaders before a national security briefing is broadcast across all media platforms. In the afternoon, Secretary-General Lin Yu-chang of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) announced the “Three Arrows” for the grand recall campaign, with billboards erected nationwide and recall groups mobilized across the country.
DetailsLast month, Taiwan’s exports to the United States surpassed those to mainland China. This number—and the event itself—is worth discussing. Although the figures appear significant, they are primarily influenced by short-term factors. Even if the United States were to replace the mainland as Taiwan’s top export destination, it’s still too early to say whether this is a cause for celebration or concern.
DetailsThe Center for Peace and Security at the Taipei School of Economics and Political Science Foundation held a 2025 Taiwan Strait defense wargame, which concluded yesterday. Facing a simulated mainland Chinese military invasion, former U.S. Pacific Commander Admiral Dennis Blair emphasized that American intervention in a Taiwan Strait war hinges on two key factors: the cause of the conflict and Taiwan’s own will to defend itself. A participant representing Japan noted that while the Self-Defense Forces are unlikely to take the initiative, they could play a supporting role based on the U.S.-Japan alliance.
DetailsFormer Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) senior staffer Huang Chü-jung allegedly exploited his political connections to infiltrate the inner circles of the vice president and minister of foreign affairs, stealing sensitive information on overseas trips and meetings with diplomatic allies and transmitting it to mainland China. Mainland authorities reportedly considered the intelligence to be of “rare and high value.” This case—of mainland Chinese espionage penetrating both the Office of the President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—is a severe blow to the ruling party, which often accuses opposition figures of being pro-China. It also exposes a grave breach in Taiwan’s national security that could indicate the presence of more undiscovered agents. President Lai Ching-te must demand a full investigation by prosecutors and national security agencies.
DetailsPresident Lai Ching-te, in his capacity as chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), publicly and directly endorsed Legislator Shen Po-yang—a rare and bold political move. But viewed through the lens of cross-strait dynamics, what President Lai seems to be defending is not just Shen, the individual, but the DPP’s long-cultivated “combat China to protect Taiwan” narrative. He may fear that this carefully crafted message could unravel just before the upcoming wave of legislative recalls.
DetailsPresident Donald Trump of the United States had repeatedly extended invitations, and Chinese President Xi Jinping finally took the call. The key lies in this sentence from Xinhua News Agency’s official press release: “Avoid letting a minimal number of ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists drag China and the United States into a dangerous situation of confrontation.” This marks a rare instance of Beijing airing its grievances on the Taiwan issue to a foreign power. While Mr. Trump did not respond directly, both sides are about to enter substantive trade negotiations and have agreed to promote mutual leadership visits. With that, the Taiwan issue has formally entered the U.S.-China negotiation table—something the government must not ignore.
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