Strait Forward

• Episode 13 - Reporting in Taiwan and China

  In this episode of Strait Forward, recorded in June at the AI+ Expo, hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange are joined by Emily Feng, an international correspondent at NPR and author of Let Only Red Flowers Bloom. This conversation explores the role of storytelling and reporting in understanding complex geopolitical landscapes like China and Taiwan. Emily shares her unique experience as a foreign correspondent, including her years in China, the circumstances that led to her expulsion, and her subsequent move to Taiwan.The discussion delves into the evolving media coverage of Taiwan, the surprising realities of reporting on China from Taiwan, and how her two years living on the island profoundly shaped her understanding of identity and cross-strait relations — a central theme in her book. Emily explores the nuanced, often emotional, dimensions of identity for people both within the PRC and in Taiwan. Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.

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• Episode 12 - Cyber Statecraft

  In this episode of Strait Forward, recorded on the final day of the AI+ Expo, hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange welcome Audrey Tang back to the show. Audrey delves into her new role as Cyber Ambassador, discusses the groundbreaking ROOST initiative (Robust Open Online Safety Tools) – a decentralized, open-source defense against online harms – and shares her thoughts on the state of AGI. The discussion highlights Taiwan's unique approach to tech-driven diplomacy: bypassing traditional hurdles by focusing on shared public infrastructure and technical interoperability, as exemplified by collaborations with California on digital democracy tools and identity verification. Finally, Audrey shares her choice for Taiwan's official emoji!Check out Strait Forward on YouTube! Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.

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• Episode 11 - Defense Tech

  In this episode of Strait Forward, recorded at SCSP’s AI+ Expo, hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange are joined by Dr. Yuh-Jye Lee, Senior Advisor at Taiwan's National Security Council. With a background in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and applied mathematics, Dr. Lee offers a unique perspective on how Taiwan can leverage emerging technologies for national defense.Welcome to Strait Forward Live (00:02:19:56 - 00:03:07:32): Hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange introduce the podcast, recorded live at the AI+ Expo, and welcome special guest Dr. Yuh-Jye Lee, Senior Advisor at Taiwan's National Security Council.Expo Reflections (00:03:49:58 - 00:04:44:31): Dr. Lee shares his excitement for being back in D.C. and highlights the drone arena as the most impressive exhibit he's seen at the AI Expo.Building Taiwan's Innovation Ecosystem for National Security (00:04:44:31 - 00:07:36:24): Dr. Lee discusses Taiwan's strategy for developing defense innovation, emphasizing the need for asymmetric capabilities, leveraging Taiwan's manufacturing foundation, and the creation of a new defense innovation office.Taiwan's Drone Strategy (00:08:19:53 - 00:12:41:29): Insights into Taiwan's approach to drone production, the potential for mass production, concerns about component sourcing, and the opportunity for Taiwan to contribute to a "democracy supply chain" by avoiding Chinese components.Developing Taiwan's Own AI Models (00:13:05:48 - 00:17:05:55): Dr. Lee explains the importance of Taiwan developing its own AI models, such as TAIDE, the "Trustworthy AI Dialogue Engine," to safeguard culture, values, and national security from external influences, especially from the PRC. Taiwan's New Cybersecurity Strategy (00:17:26:59 - 00:24:38:01): Discussion on Taiwan's new national cybersecurity strategy, driven by the rapid evolution of cyber threats and AI. Dr. Lee details its four pillars: whole-of-society defense resilience, homeland defense and critical infrastructure, key industries and supply chains, and application and security of AI. He highlights the need for international collaboration.Energy Resilience in Taiwan (00:24:54:29 - 00:29:17:44): Dr. Lee addresses Taiwan's energy policy, including the decision to move away from nuclear power due to safety and waste concerns. He discusses the growth of green energy and the potential for sending data abroad to energy-abundant countries for AI model training,  reducing energy imports.Dr. Lee's Taiwan Recommendation (00:29:44:54 - 00:31:02:34): Dr. Lee encourages listeners to visit Taiwan to experience its diverse natural beauty, from beaches to high mountains, all within a short travel distance.Audience Q&A Invitation (00:31:24:40 - 00:32:31:47): Libby and Channing invite listeners to submit questions for a future "Ask Me Anything" podcast episode via email at [email protected] Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.

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• Episode 10 - Digital Diplomacy

  In this week’s episode of Strait Forward, filmed at our recent AI+ Expo, Channing Lee and Libby Lange speak with Chiayo Kuo, Founder of the Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Association. She shares her experiences conducting diplomacy in cyberspace and her vision for the future of AI-enabled diplomacy. Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.

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• Episode 9 - Economic Security

  On this episode of Strait Forward, hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange unpack how economic security is reshaping national security, detailing the measures the United States has adopted—from investment reviews to export controls—to protect its innovation edge.The episode features an insightful discussion with Jeremy Chih-Cheng Chang, CEO of the Research Institute for Democracy, Society, and Emerging Technology (DSET). Jeremy details Taiwan's longstanding experience with economic statecraft vis-à-vis China, including its pioneering outbound investment screening framework and its strategic "N-1" principle for technology flows. He also shares Taiwan's efforts to cultivate secure, trusted supply chains for key technologies like drones, advocating for deeper U.S.-Taiwan collaboration to counter geopolitical threats and maintain global technological leadership.What is Economic Security? (00:24 - 01:07)Hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange open the episode discussing their observations from the AI+ Expo about the increasing prevalence of economic security in national security conversations.U.S. Economic Security Tools (01:07 - 03:39)The hosts detail the steps taken by the United States to prioritize economic security. This includes the enhanced capabilities of CFIUS through FIRRMA (2018) to review investments in critical technologies and infrastructure, as well as efforts to restrict outbound investment that could fund the Chinese military. They also touch on export controls on advanced AI chips by consecutive U.S. administrations.The Critical Role of Allies and Partners (03:39 - 04:18)The conversation highlights that the US cannot unilaterally enforce economic security in a global economy. The hosts cite the collaborative restriction on exporting high-capacity lithography machines to China by the Netherlands, Japan, and the United States as a prime example of effective allied action.Introduction to Jeremy Chang (05:58 - 08:07)The hosts welcome Jeremy Chang, CEO and Director of Economic Security research at DSET (Research Institute for Democracy, Society, and Emerging Technology), Taiwan's premier think tank on national security and technology. Jeremy introduces DSET's mission and its founding context.Taiwan's Unique Economic Relationship with China (10:04 - 12:08)Jeremy explains the complex and evolving economic relationship between Taiwan and China. He describes how it has shifted from a complementary dynamic, where Taiwan helped industrialize China with technology and capital, to one of increasing competition as China aims for manufacturing dominance.Taiwan's Pioneering Economic Security Framework (12:32 - 19:11)Jeremy elaborates on Taiwan's proactive stance on economic security. He notes Taiwan's implementation of an outbound investment screening system in 1993, predating many international counterparts. He also introduces Taiwan's "N-1 principle" for controlling technology flows, ensuring China’s access to Taiwanese innovation is always at least one generation behind.The Future of Taiwan's Semiconductor Industry (19:33 - 23:30)Jeremy discusses the current pressures on Taiwan's semiconductor industry to diversify manufacturing globally. He frames the investment of Taiwanese tech companies abroad, such as TSMC's presence in the US, as a "win-win scenario" that strengthens interdependence and serves the national interests of both the U.S. and Taiwan.Creating "Non-Red Supply Chains" for Strategic Technologies (23:52 - 30:30)DSET advocates for developing supply chains free from Chinese components, particularly for strategic technologies like drones. Jeremy explains the urgency, given China's dominance and "weaponization" of the drone market, and discusses Taiwan's active efforts to build these "non-red" supply chains, including collaborations with Eastern European countries to support countries like Ukraine.Recommendations for U.S.-Taiwan Economic Security Cooperation (30:48 - 35:13)Jeremy offers key policy recommendations for strengthening U.S.-Taiwan cooperation on economic security. He stresses the importance of leveraging Taiwan's unique, on-the-ground intelligence and know-how regarding supply chains and China's industrial activities. Jeremy’s Taiwan Recommendation (35:13 - 37:19)Jeremy recommends DSET's research report: "Walking a Tightrope: Navigating Taiwan-U.S. Semiconductor Security Under Trump 2.0," which can be found on DSET's website at dset.tw/en.Reflections on the Conversation (38:45 - 40:44)Channing and Libby reflect on the importance of economic security to national security and Taiwan's foresight in this area given its relationship with China. They also underscore Taiwan's role as a "center of excellence" for understanding and navigating complex economic security challenges when it comes to China.For Further Reading:https://dset.tw/en/research/taiwan-us-semiconductor-security-under-trump-2-0/https://scsp222.substack.com/p/the-prcs-remote-poaching-model Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.

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