The first batch of 38 new M1A2T Abrams tanks purchased from the US arrived in Taipei on Sunday. As with many of Taiwan’s previous military and arms purchases, the shipment of tanks was immediately criticized by biased “military experts,” who made sarcastic remarks about the tanks being “too large” or “unsuited to Taiwan’s terrain.”
The rationale behind the purchase lay in more than just the tanks’ tactical use; what is more important is the strategic value they demonstrate.
To establish deterrent power, Taiwan’s military resources have been for the most part concentrated on its navy and air force, including air defense and anti-ship missiles. In contrast, the army’s equipment — whether it be main battle tanks or gear for soldiers — has been largely secondary.
From an outside perspective, Taiwan’s homeland defense capabilities seem to primarily focus on the maritime and airspace regions around the nation. If the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were to successfully land in Taiwan, Taiwan’s army — with its limited resources — would struggle to resist, let alone defeat the invaders.
Furthermore, a lack of opportunities to use first-rate equipment might lead to an accumulated sense of deprivation that could affect the morale of Taiwan’s ground forces and military recruitment rates. That would make the implementation of a nationwide defense mobilization plan even more difficult. After all, when it comes to nationwide defense mobilization, even if the army is not the most important factor, it still plays a vital role.
The unique strategic value of the M1A2T purchase lies in two major points:
First, the tanks demonstrate Taiwan’s defensive determination.
Second, they would help prevent an excessive tilt in Taiwan’s military development, thus ensuring smoother coordination among the three military branches and ultimately aiding the implementation of nationwide defense mobilization.
Huang Wei-ping works in public service and has a master’s degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Massachusetts.
Translated by Kyra Gustavsen
The Chinese government on March 29 sent shock waves through the Tibetan Buddhist community by announcing the untimely death of one of its most revered spiritual figures, Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche. His sudden passing in Vietnam raised widespread suspicion and concern among his followers, who demanded an investigation. International human rights organization Human Rights Watch joined their call and urged a thorough investigation into his death, highlighting the potential involvement of the Chinese government. At just 56 years old, Rinpoche was influential not only as a spiritual leader, but also for his steadfast efforts to preserve and promote Tibetan identity and cultural
The gutting of Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA) by US President Donald Trump’s administration poses a serious threat to the global voice of freedom, particularly for those living under authoritarian regimes such as China. The US — hailed as the model of liberal democracy — has the moral responsibility to uphold the values it champions. In undermining these institutions, the US risks diminishing its “soft power,” a pivotal pillar of its global influence. VOA Tibetan and RFA Tibetan played an enormous role in promoting the strong image of the US in and outside Tibet. On VOA Tibetan,
Former minister of culture Lung Ying-tai (龍應台) has long wielded influence through the power of words. Her articles once served as a moral compass for a society in transition. However, as her April 1 guest article in the New York Times, “The Clock Is Ticking for Taiwan,” makes all too clear, even celebrated prose can mislead when romanticism clouds political judgement. Lung crafts a narrative that is less an analysis of Taiwan’s geopolitical reality than an exercise in wistful nostalgia. As political scientists and international relations academics, we believe it is crucial to correct the misconceptions embedded in her article,
Sung Chien-liang (宋建樑), the leader of the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) efforts to recall Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lee Kun-cheng (李坤城), caused a national outrage and drew diplomatic condemnation on Tuesday after he arrived at the New Taipei City District Prosecutors’ Office dressed in a Nazi uniform. Sung performed a Nazi salute and carried a copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf as he arrived to be questioned over allegations of signature forgery in the recall petition. The KMT’s response to the incident has shown a striking lack of contrition and decency. Rather than apologizing and distancing itself from Sung’s actions,
RSS