Photo: ASHLEY PON / STRINGER / GETTY IMAGES
Taiwan’s 2016 election, with its robust and youthful civil society and grassroots participation, underscored the remarkable 20-year transition from an authoritarian regime to a liberal democracy. President Tsai Ing-wen and her new administration immediately face daunting challenges, however, as they struggle with critical economic and cross-strait issues that may eventually pose threats to Taiwan’s security and political future.
In this report, the author highlights the strategic interests of the United States in supporting Taiwan’s democracy and discusses policies needed to accelerate and expand U.S. engagement with Taiwan, especially in response to Beijing’s efforts to further isolate and marginalize Taiwan in the region.
Photo credit: ASHLEY PON / STRINGER / GETTY IMAGES