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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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.
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Episode 15 - Public Opinion & Polarization
In this episode of Strait Forward, hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange welcome Lev Nachman, an assistant professor in the Graduate Institute of National Development at National Taiwan University (NTU) and author of Contested Taiwan: Sovereignty, Social Movements, and Party Formation. They discuss how public opinion and polarized politics shape perceptions of recent events in Taiwan.Lev Nachman shares his expertise on political participation in Taiwan, discussing public identity, willingness to fight, and the implications of the "great recall movement." He analyzes how polarization impacts national security and the ongoing debate surrounding Taiwan's defense budget, including different perspectives on military spending. The conversation also touches on the rising influence of the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) and the importance of independent voters in Taiwan's political landscape.
Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.
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Episode 14 - Spilling the Tea on Taiwan Expo, Han Kuang Exercises, Recalls & More
In this special catch-up episode of #StraitForward, co-hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange return to the studio to "spill the tea" on the latest from Taiwan. Channing shares insights from her trip to the Taiwan Expo USA in Dallas, detailing Taiwan's strong economic ties with Texas and the innovative technologies on display, from intelligent manufacturing to smart healthcare. The hosts also dive into major news from Taiwan over the summer, including the recent Han Kuang military exercises and the July recall votes, exploring what these events mean for the island's defense, its democracy, and its political future.
Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.
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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.
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.
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