TAIWAN, ASIA’S SECRET AIR POWER
Ian Easton(Research fellow at the Project 2049 Institute in Arlington, VA. He was also a recent visiting fellow at the Japan Institute of International Affairs in Tokyo. Previously, he was a China analyst at the Center for Naval Analyses)
Copyright: http://thediplomat.com/ - Publication Date on RIEAS web site: 27 September 2014)
A look at what Taiwan is doing to ensure its air defense and why it matters for the United States and the region.
When current and former world leaders, including Bill Clinton, visit Taiwan, they often stay at the Grand Hotel Taipei, an opulent Chinese architectural landmark perched atop Yuan Mountain. With spectacular views of the downtown riverfront and a palm-lined swimming pool surrounded by lush green jungle, guests at the Grand Hotel could be forgiven for thinking they had arrived at one of the most peaceful spots in East Asia.
In fact, just under their feet lies a vast underground command center from which Taiwan's top leadership would direct their nation's armed forces in the event of a war with China. This facility, like many around the high-tech island, shows that when it comes to the defense of Taiwan, there is much more than meets the eye. Read more
Aggeliki Vassiliou
Adal Shymbekov
Tassos Symeonides
Murray Hunter