On this episode of Strait Forward, Channing and Libby are joined by KJ Chang, founder of Mizo Games, to discuss the studio’s board game, 2045, which simulates a PLA invasion of Taiwan 20 years in the future. KJ explains that his games are inspired by real-world events and Taiwan's history, aiming to use the "pressure of the play" to help players understand the difficult choices made at the edge of survival. Following the interview, the Strait Forward team – joined by producer Bobby Owens – try out the game for themselves!
Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.
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42:03
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42:03
Securing Taiwan's Energy Supply
In this episode of Strait Forward, Channing and Libby delve into Taiwan's energy security, a critical issue due to the island’s high import dependency and vulnerability to geopolitical risks. They open with a segment featuring Caleb Barnes, Associate Director for Fusion at SCSP, to discuss the most common concerns about nuclear energy in Taiwan, then welcome Tsaiying Lu, Research Fellow & Director of Energy Security Research at Taiwan’s Research Institute for Democracy, Society, and Emerging Technology (DSET), who details Taiwan's ongoing energy resilience efforts. Tsaiying explains the complex politics surrounding nuclear power in Taiwan, how the island plans to meet the energy demands of its semiconductor fabs and the AI industry, and new research into lesser-known threats to Taiwan’s energy supply.Additional reading:Vulnerabilities at Depth: Submarine Power Cable Sabotage and Supply Chain Risks Amid China’s RiseClimate Change and Infrastructure Resilience: An Analysis of Water Resources and Electricity Use in Taiwan’s Semiconductor Industry
Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.
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43:34
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43:34
Taiwan and Europe: A Shared Democratic Future
In this episode of Strait Forward, Channing and Libby move beyond the U.S.-Taiwan conversation and dive into the evolving relationship between Taiwan and Europe. They highlight the shared democratic values and significant economic ties that are driving deeper cooperation.In this episode, they welcome Jonas Parello-Plesner, Executive Director of the Alliance of Democracies Foundation and author of The Battle for Taiwan. Jonas offers a critical European perspective on Taiwan, detailing the varied approaches countries across the continent take when it comes to engaging with Taiwan.He discusses how the war in Ukraine has heightened Europe's awareness of the threat to Taiwan, the challenges posed by Chinese coercion, and the dangers of "preemptive obedience" among European nations. Ultimately, Jonas argues that supporting a free Taiwan is vital for global economic stability and the future of democracy.
Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.
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34:42
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34:42
D.C. Grad Students on China, Party Politics, and Taiwan’s Future
In this episode of Strait Forward, hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange are joined by three young Taiwanese leaders — Fanny Chao, Alaze Lin, and Joyce Chiang — who bring unique experience from Taiwan's three major political parties. As grad students in Washington D.C., the guests discuss how the U.S. capital fosters common ground and nuance that is often missing in domestic Taiwanese politics.The conversation tackles controversial arguments about Taiwan's strategic value and defense spending, candid assessments of their respective parties’ policies, and reflections on how their view of Taiwan's place in the world has changed since coming to the United States.
Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.
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47:24
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47:24
Deterrence by Drone
In this episode of Strait Forward, hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange explore the evolving role of drones in modern warfare and their importance for Taiwan's defense. They discuss the shift from large, expensive military drones to more affordable, mass-produced systems, and the impact of the War in Ukraine on drone development and deployment. The episode features Lorenz Meier, founder and CEO of Auterion, who details his company's mission to build an "Android for drones" — a common open-source operating system for future drone swarms. Meier shares his "Kyiv to Taiwan" story, explaining how his experiences in Ukraine highlighted the urgent need to help Taiwan develop its drone army for deterrence rather than just defense. He further elaborates on the operational applications of drones, from long-range deep strike capabilities against naval targets to close-range combat, emphasizing the applicability of lessons learned from Ukraine to Taiwan's defense challenges.
Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.
Strait Forward is a podcast series from the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), where Channing Lee and Libby Lange take a deep-dive into Taiwan, the island at the forefront of technological innovation and the global fight for democracy. Hear Taiwanese experts discuss geopolitics, technology, and culture.
Netherlands