April 1, 2007 Taiwan Defense & Security Reports

Taiwan Defense & Security Report – Q1, 2007

Seemingly endless political wrangling, the obvious election-year mentality shown by Taiwan politicians, and having the government’s general operating budget – of which the defense budget is a part – trapped in the Legislative Yuan (LY) due to disagreements over the composition of the Central Election Commission (CEC) made for a frustrating first quarter of 2007. […]

January 1, 2007 Taiwan Defense & Security Reports

Taiwan Defense & Security Report – Annual Review, 2006

Despite some notable progress, 2006 was largely a year of continued frustrations in Taiwan’s national security policy arena, a situation fueled by partisan feuds, political scandals, and turmoil. As the year drew to a close, however, a number of early but potentially promising signs did begin to emerge, although it remains to be seen how […]

October 1, 2006 Taiwan Defense & Security Reports

Taiwan Defense & Security Report – Q3, 2006

During the past quarter, Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian’s ability to take the initiative in the legislative and policy arenas has been undermined by growing political turmoil. While Taiwan’s defense establishment has tried to retain a policy-oriented focus, the national security community has also been visibly impacted by fallout from a number of alleged political scandals. […]

July 1, 2006 Taiwan Defense & Security Reports

Taiwan Defense & Security Report – Q2, 2006

Marked by a series of corruption scandals, waning domestic confidence in its ability to sustain its economic growth, and a growing military challenge stemming from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Taiwan’s security environment is complex and dynamic. With an eye on national elections scheduled for December 2007 and March 2008, Taiwan’s political landscape is […]

April 1, 2006 Taiwan Defense & Security Reports

Taiwan Defense & Security Report – Q1, 2006

Taiwan continues to face a number of challenges in meeting its defense and national security needs. The island’s political environment is growing increasingly challenging, while changes in Taiwan’s domestic milieu have become more rapid and dramatic than at any time in its history. In many respects, Taiwan is going through a form of transitional crisis […]

January 1, 2006 Taiwan Defense & Security Reports

Taiwan Defense & Security Report – Annual Review, 2005

In 2005, Taiwan’s political landscape was marked with continued divisions in the island’s domestic polity. Issues at hand included the island’s political future, how to best manage Taiwan’s limited fiscal resources in a dynamic economic environment, and the continued political deadlock surrounding the legitimate requirements for an adequate self-defense capability within the context of Taiwan’s […]

October 1, 2005 Taiwan Defense & Security Reports

Taiwan Defense & Security Report – Q3, 2005

The stalemate over the Chen Shui-bian Administration’s request for funding three key weapon systems through special extra-budgetary means within Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan (LY) has been a significant disappointment for the United States and its defense industry. The special budget has also become a frustration to President Chen Shui-bian, whose popularity is at a record low, […]

July 1, 2005 Taiwan Defense & Security Reports

Taiwan Defense & Security Report – Q2, 2005

Well into his second term, Chen Shui-bian and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) continues to face a number of challenges in ensuring Taiwan’s defense and national security. With less than three years remaining in his term, President Chen is seeking to consolidate control over the country’s national security and defense establishment, and implement an ambitious […]

April 1, 2005 Taiwan Defense & Security Reports

Taiwan Defense & Security Report – Q1, 2005

In the wake of its failure to attain a majority in the December 2004 Legislative Yuan (LY) elections, the first quarter of 2005 was marked by a deepening of political divisions between the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Kuomintang (KMT). A number of events this quarter have created a tense and emotional atmosphere, […]

January 1, 2005 Taiwan Defense & Security Reports

Taiwan Defense & Security Report – Annual Review, 2004

In the wake of Taiwan’s legislative elections in December 2004, Chen Shui-bian’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration is grappling with a range of domestic and international challenges to safeguard Taiwan’s defense and national security. Over the past year, President Chen – having overseen a major transition in defense leadership during the first month of his […]