China & Taiwan

The 2016 Election and Prospects for Taiwan’s Democracy

AbstractThis article reviews the results of the 2016 presidential and legislative elections in Taiwan, in which the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won a sweeping victory. It identifies the likely reasons for the DPP’s success and then explores the implications...

Read more »

Editor’s Corner Fall 2016

Taiwan in the Tsai Era When the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) swept to victory in Taiwan’s presidential and legislative elections in January 2016, it marked a significant turning point in the island nation’s politics. The voters chose Tsai Ing-wen...

Read more »

Tsai Ing-wen’s Presidential Platform

. Tsai must be pragmatic and diplomatic in order to get the results she hopes to achieve. Taking office in a tense political atmosphere, the new president must maintain the status quo with China if she hopes to initiate...

Read more »

Keynote Address: Implications of the 2016 Elections for Economic and Security Issues

Despite its many problems, East Asia remains the principal global bright spot. Unlike the Middle East and Europe, where it is difficult to see a good outcome from their many problems, East Asia has the potential to continue to...

Read more »

Foresight into 21st Century Conflict: End of the Greatest Illusion?

The number of conflicts is again on the rise as both states and violent actors contend for influence and seek to establish their position. Contrary to optimistic depictions of the present international system, there are powers seeking to alter...

Read more »

Taking Stock of U.S. Policy Options in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia

The three countries that comprise the Maghreb region -- Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia -- are bound by important cultural, linguistic, and economic ties, and by a shared history of French occupation. But whatever their ties, what is needed is a...

Read more »

The Twenty Years’ War

Exactly two decades ago, on August 23, 1996, Osama bin Laden declared war on the United States. At the time, few people paid much attention. But it was the start of what’s now the Twenty Years’ War between the...

Read more »

The Curious Case of Okinotori: Reef, Rock, or Island?

The July 12 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague in favor of the Philippines’ case against China’s claim to sovereignty over large portions of the South China Sea created ripple effects that went far...

Read more »

The South China Sea Arbitration Decision: China Fought the Law, and the Law Won….Or Did It?

When the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague issued its unanimous decision on July 12 in the case that the Philippines had filed against the People’s Republic of China two and a half years earlier, the Court set...

Read more »