2018 - 4th Quarter

Taiwan's Past Narratives Need a Future Focus

Sunday December 30

As the year draws to a close and President Tsai Ing-wen prepares for her next two years in office, it remains important for Taiwanese to continue to take stock of the nation's progress in democracy and to observe and review the changing narratives that have accompanied it. ...

Two Takeaways from Taiwan's 2018 Elections

Monday December 3

Taiwan's elections, and in particular, it's municipal elections are strongly local; and so while some pundits might wish to read the nine-in-one elections from the standpoint of cross-strait relations between Taiwan and China, the reality could not be further from the truth. ...

Taiwan's Name and the Olympics Referendum

Saturday November 24

As Taiwan prepares to vote on Nov. 24th, one referendum stands out from the others; it's No. 13, on the name change for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. ...

Taiwan, Khashoggi and Shifting Paradigms

Monday November 5

The murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Arabian Embassy stunned the world. It was not the first obvious recent murder or attempted murder, but its circumstances were most compelling. ...

Tsai Ing-wen and Changing US Perceptions

Tuesday October 23

In her Double Ten National Day speech, President Tsai Ing-wen went over numerous topics; but she primarily focused on the threats and challenges that Taiwan faces both externally and internally. ...

Taiwan's Furies in Pursuit of Justice

Friday October 5

In Greek drama, the concept of justice was never lacking. The goddesses most prominent in serving justice were the Erinyes, or Furies by their Roman name; it was their task to pursue those guilty of crimes, especially the murder of kin. ...