Hot Off the Press
“How the Philippines Can Counter China’s South China Sea Aggression.” TSM Associate Director Jonathan Walberg and Research Team Lead Ethan Connell write about how the Philippines’ fragmented maritime response to China’s aggression in the South China Sea undermines its sovereignty while allowing Beijing to control the narrative and test U.S. resolve. The Diplomat, April 23rd, 2025.
Books, Monographs & Testimony
“A New Military Culture for Taiwan,” in The Boiling Moat: Urgent Steps to Defend Taiwan. In this chapter of Matt Pottinger’s edited volume, TSM Director Dr. Michael Hunzeker, Enoch Wu and Kobi Marom addresses two important vulnerabilities in Taiwan’s military culture that Taipei should address urgently: its lack of preparation for a protracted war and lack of readiness to mobilize quickly. 2024.
“Deterring PRC Aggression toward Taiwan: Statement before the U.S.-China Economic & Security Review Commission“. In his written testimony to the U.S.-China Economic & Security Review Commission, TSM Director Dr. Michael Hunzeker argues that Taiwan’s military should focus on preparing for a full-scale invasion and identifies gaps and shortfalls that undermine its ability to do so. February 2021.
“A Question of Time: Enhancing Taiwan’s Conventional Deterrence Posture.” TSM Director Dr. Michael Hunzeker and Alexander Lanoszka suggest a holistic defense strategy that Taiwan can use to enhance its conventional deterrence posture. Their conclusions are simple but radical: Taiwan’s military must embrace asymmetry by both replacing its small inventory of expensive, but outdated, ships, jets, and tanks with large numbers of drones, anti-tank weapons, anti-ship missiles, and anti-air systems; and by transforming its unwieldy reserve force into a Territorial Defense Force. 2018.
Op-Eds & Commentary
“Taiwan’s Biggest Problem in Steeling Itself for War with China is Cultural.” TSM Director Dr. Michael Hunzeker and Yuster Yu argue that Taiwan’s biggest obstacle to preparing for war with China is not military spending or equipment, but a deeply ingrained and outdated military culture that resists reform, innovation, and societal integration. War on the Rocks, April 16th, 2025.
“Left on Read: America’s Taiwan Warning Crisis.” TSM researchers Noah Reed and Jonathan Walberg assess the risk of miscommunication between Taipei and Washington. The Diplomat, December 14th, 2024.
“When Will Washington Get Serious About Taiwan?” TSM Director Dr. Michael Hunzeker, Dr. Raymond Kuo, and Mark A. Christopher argue it is time to treat Taiwan as a serious partner. Foreign Policy May 23rd, 2024.
“Taiwan is moving too slowly to prepare for war. Japan can help.” TSM Director Dr. Michael Hunzeker and Yuster Yu detail the role Japan can play in aiding Taiwan’s defense. Nikkei Asia, May 15th, 2024.
“Overinflated: China’s Balloon Threats to Taiwan.” TSM researchers Jonathan Walberg and Noah Reed discuss the 2023-2024 balloon overflights of Taiwan.The Diplomat, March 12th, 2024.
“Scared Strait” TSM Director Dr. Michael Hunzeker, Dr. Raymond Kuo, and Mark A. Christopher critique the idea that Taiwan and China are trapped in a security dilemma. Foreign Affairs, February 20th, 2024.
“Learning to Train: What Washington and Taipei Can Learn From Security Cooperation in Ukraine and the Baltic States.” TSM Director Dr. Michael Hunzeker and Dr. Jerad Harper discuss the lessons that Taiwan can learn from the war in Ukraine. War on the Rocks, January 20th, 2023.
“Real Friends Twist Arms: Taiwan and the Case for Conditionality.” TSM Director Dr. Michael Hunzeker and Dr. Alexander Lanoszka argue for a condition based security relationship with Taiwan. War on the Rocks, July 27th, 2022.
“The View of Ukraine from Taiwan: Get Real About Territorial Defense.” TSM Director Dr. Michael Hunzeker and Taiwan’s former Chief of the General Staff Admiral Lee Hsi-Min argue that Taiwan needs to create a territorial defense force. War on the Rocks, March 15th, 2022.
“Taiwan’s Defense Plans Are Going Off the Rails.” TSM Director Dr. Michael Hunzeker critiques Taiwan’s defense strategy and offers alternatives. War on the Rocks, November 18th, 2021.
“Taiwan Wants Paladins. Congress Should Say No.” TSM Director Dr. Michael Hunzeker and Brian Davis argue against the sale of Paladin self-propelled howitzers to Taiwan. Defense One, August 18th, 2021.
“The Painful, but Necessary, Next Steps in the US-Taiwanese Relationship.” TSM Director Dr. Michael Hunzeker and Dr. Dennis L. Weng advocate for supporting increased resiliency and resolve in the US-Taiwanese partnership. War on the Rocks, September 24th 2020.
“The Defense Reforms Taiwan Needs.” TSM Director Dr. Michael Hunzeker and Brian Davis identify ways to improve Taiwanese defenses. Defense One, August 10th, 2020.
“Time for Taiwan to Scrap the Indigenous Diesel Submarine.” TSM Director Dr. Michael Hunzeker and Dr. Joseph Petrucelli detail their opposition to Taiwan’s domestic attack submarine development program. The Diplomat, November 30th, 2019.