Taiwan wants to learn from the wars in Gaza and Ukraine to strengthen its security against threats from China – The Economist

Every armed conflict provides an opportunity for other countries' armies to learn new lessons. Taiwan, fearful of a possible Chinese invasion, studies and analyzes the current fighting in Ukraine and Israel.

Ukraine's defense has demonstrated the importance of “asymmetric” weapons in modern conflicts – cheap and plentiful. Experts stress the need to strengthen the mobilization of public organizations in Taiwan to support its army.

On what aspects of military operations are Taiwan's military command paying attention to it is said in the material of The Economist.

Beijing has expressed its intention to retake Taiwan, even threatening to use military force. In turn, Taiwanese authorities are concerned about China's growing military power, which could lead to a full-scale invasion by 2027.

The Israeli experience

Taiwan has been closely monitoring recent conflicts to learn lessons. Following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 last year, Taiwan's Defense Ministry set up a special team to analyze the conflict.

One of the key findings was the need to improve reconnaissance capabilities to prevent surprise attacks, with particular attention paid to the risks associated with overloading air defense systems during massive missile strikes.

American experts advise Taiwan to learn from Israel's experience, including reforming the conscription system and boosting the population's morale. Taiwan has already increased the mandatory military service for men from four months to a year, but that is still less than Israel's three-year service, which includes women.

Lessons from the war in Ukraine

The experience of the war in Ukraine has become an important reference point for Taiwanese military strategists. The defense of Ukraine demonstrated the importance of “asymmetric” weapons – cheap, stealthy, and numerous – and confirmed that intense combat quickly depletes ammunition. Some Taiwanese experts believe that the armed forces need to be reformed even more deeply, removing barriers and strengthening the mobilization of public organizations to support the military.

Particular attention is paid to protecting infrastructure and communication lines. The importance of satellite internet for the Ukrainian military (for example, via Starlink) prompted Taiwan to sign a contract with OneWeb to supply low-orbit satellites to protect its communications in the event of a conflict.

USA

But the main lesson Taiwan has learned from Ukraine and Israel is to be prepared for the long haul. Taiwan knows it needs to hold out long enough to get support from its allies.

The question is how confident are Taiwanese officials that the United States will come to their aid, given that recent statements by US presidential candidate Donald Trump that Taiwan should pay for its own defense have created uncertainty that has raised concerns on the island.

This analysis is important for the West, Israel and Ukraine in the context of countering the “axis of evil” because Taiwan’s experience and the lessons learned from the conflicts in Ukraine and Israel enhance understanding of how small countries can effectively counter more powerful aggressors. In the context of global instability and aggressive actions by countries such as China, Russia and their allies, Western countries can use the experience of these conflicts to strengthen their collective defense.

For Israel and Ukraine, this experience is relevant because both countries are facing aggression supported by external powers. Ukraine is fighting Russia, and Israel is fighting various terrorist groups linked to Iran, making the strategy of “asymmetric warfare” and infrastructure protection key elements for survival. Joint understanding and exchange of experience between Western countries, including Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, creates a more united front against aggressive states.

Moreover, strategic knowledge sharing between these countries helps the West to strengthen support for its allies, adapt military strategies, and develop new forms of defense. It also highlights the importance of engaging civil society and using emerging technologies, such as satellite communications, to ensure resilience in protracted conflicts.

Thus, this situation strengthens the cohesion of the West and its partners in confronting the “axis of evil”, creating opportunities to strengthen global security based on the experience of Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan.

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