The Road to Defense Transformation:
The Challenges and Opportunities Facing Taiwan

Expert Panel
July 8, 2024
2300 Clarenden Blvd, Arlington, VA or via Zoom

In the wake of Taiwan’s most recent democratic transition, newly inaugurated President Lai Ching-te has vowed to implement fundamental military and defense reforms. Wellington Koo, the new civilian defense minister, has begun to pursue this mandate. However, the road to reform will not be easy. As Taiwan experiences increasing PRC aggression, Koo faces a divided government with an opposition coalition in the majority in the Legislative Yuan, and he will likely need to challenge the deeply embedded traditions and culture of the military. Defense reforms are crucial to Taiwan’s ability to combat the PRC threat, and with a potential invasion looming, time is of the essence. Please join us as we discuss the way forward for defense reforms and the current state of defense preparedness in Taiwan, as well as the role of the U.S. government and defense industry in bolstering Taiwan’s defense.

During this workshop, Project 2049 Chairman and Pacific Solutions Partner Randall Schriver and Founding Partner of Pacific Solutions Dan Blumenthal will discuss potential reforms Minister of National Defense Koo will take to improve and accelerate Taiwan’s defense posture. Ian Easton, an associate professor at the U.S. Naval War College, and Grace Price of the Project 2049 Institute will detail the PRC’s invasion strategy and the current level of defense preparedness in Taiwan. President of the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council Rupert Hammond-Chambers will then discuss Taiwan’s defense budget and the role of the U.S. government and private sectors.

For ISOA members only. Please contact Howie Lind for an invitation to this event.