Sustaining Deterrence on the Taiwan Strait[1]
July 21st, 2010
While seasoned observers are identifying what may be a second “freeze” on arms sales to Taiwan, the 66 F-16C fighters the Obama Administration has not yet approved for sale to Taiwan may only constitute the very beginning of a new phase of arms sales that will be required to sustain deterrence on the Taiwan Strait through this decade. While Taiwan, especially under the “flexible diplomacy” of President Ma Ying Jeou has sought to expand economic and political relations with China, there should be no doubt that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) remains committed to achieving “unification” under their terms, a condition will continue until the CCP is removed from power in China. Until such a turn of history Taiwan’s survival as a democracy will depend on economic and political engagement with China that minimizes risks and the maintenance of a military capability that deters the CCP leadership from considering that it can secure military victory.
The Asian Airpower Balance: Challenges from Chinese and Russian Fifth-Generation Fighter Programs
September 14th, 2009
In July, the Obama Administration defeated congressional attempts to reverse the administration's April decision to end production of the F-22, currently the world's only fifth-generation fighter. With Russia and China developing fifth-generation fighter programs, the United States could find itself ceding its aerial dominance. In cooperation with the International Assessment and Strategy Center, Hudson Institute examined the strategic implications for U.S. airpower in Asia. Speaking at this conference were Richard Fisher, Senior Fellow, the International Assessment and Strategy Center and author of China's Military Modernization, Building for Regional and Global Reach; aviation expert Rebecca Grant, Senior Fellow at the Lexington Institute; and Reuben Johnson, a correspondent for Jane's Information Group and a consultant on international aircraft issues. Hudson Institute CEO Kenneth Weinstein introduced the event, and Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Seth Cropsey moderated the discussion.
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