2016 - 2nd Quarter
The Root of the KMT's Identity Crisis
It has been a month since President Tsai Ing-wen was inaugurated and the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) continues its downward tailspin. The party faces an increasing twofold challenge: first its identity problem vis-à-vis Taiwan and because of that identity problem, its inability to function in a democracy. ...
The Fears that led UK to leave EU
The "Brexit" vote in the United Kingdom (UK) has come and gone and certainly left many surprised by its results. Whether one was for or against the UK leaving the European Union (EU) the results of the vote as well as the demographics of that vote are going to be discussed, dissected, and hashed over and over again in the coming months. ...
China's Hegemonic Nine-dash Line Map
The developing problem that Taiwan now faces with Japan over how close its fishing boats can operate near the Okinotori atoll is only a foreshadowing of bigger things to come. While domestic issues and the economy are to have priority for the in-coming Tsai administration, what continues to build up on the high seas is a clearly the harbinger of a future tempest that cannot be ignored. ...
Why the Sky Did not Fall at Tsai's Inauguration
The recent inauguration of Tsai Ing-wen, as the 14th president of Taiwan went off without a hitch. This marked the third transition of power since the Taiwanese people had democratically begun electing their president in 1996 and there was no question, it was peaceful. ...
President Ma's Last Days in Power
With the coming of May, Taiwan enters the last days of President Ma Ying-jeou's governance, an eight year, two-term presidency that has run the gamut from high to low and certainly will be grist for the mill of numerous future evaluations. What will be finally said remains to be seen, but some points already stand out. ...
Electing Leaders and Accountability
No matter where you are in the world, it is nearly impossible to avoid the US ‘presidential election campaign. With little love lost, participants in the US two major parties--the Republicans and Democrats--are heatedly vying to be chosen their party's candidate. ...
Understanding the Faces of China
Taiwan is a medium-sized nation. Not only is it a thriving Asian democracy but also in population Taiwan is larger than over 70 per cent of the countries in the world. In terms of GDP per capita (PPP), it also ranks high (17th); therefore there should be no doubt that democratic Taiwan is a vital country to its Asian neighbors and the world. ...
Taiwan's Unique Relations with the Holy See and Rome
The Holy See, whose territorial residence is the Vatican, is the only European sovereign entity with diplomatic ties to the Republic of China (ROC) aka Taiwan; these relations have been ongoing since 1942. ...
The KMT Continuing Challenges
Time and tide wait for no man; and so in Taiwan, though time has moved on, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), once again seems caught in a time warp. Once more it found itself at yet another crossroads and another crisis of leadership. On March 26, the party members again had to choose a new chairperson. ...
Taiwan like "Prometheus Unbound"
Next month, Taiwan's President-elect Tsai Ing-wen is to give her inaugural address and discussion on what she will say and how she should say it, is building. Tsai is not only the nation's first female president, but she is also coming into power with a mandate from an electorate that endured eight years of outgoing president Ma Ying-jeou's failed pro-China policies. ...