09
August 2016
Past Event
Defending Taiwan: What Should the U.S. Do?

Defending Taiwan: What Should the U.S. Do?

Past Event
Hudson Institute, Washington, D.C. Headquarters
August 09, 2016
09
August 2016
Past Event

1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, DC 20004

Speakers:
Seth Cropsey

President, Yorktown Institute

Richard D. Fisher, Jr.

Senior Fellow, Asian Military Affairs, International Assessment and Strategy Center

Paul Giarra

President, Global Strategies & Transformation

Ian Easton

Research Fellow, Project 2049 Institute

Despite strong opposition from China, the Obama administration authorized a $1.83 billion arms sale to Taiwan in December. The deal marked the first U.S. arms shipment to the island in more than four years. Made up almost exclusively of defensive weapons, the military package included frigates, amphibious assault vehicles, and surface-to-air missiles, as well as anti-aircraft and anti-ship missile defense systems.

While the sale is consistent with longstanding U.S. policy on arms sales to Taiwan and bolsters Taiwan’s ability to defend itself, the question remains whether the shipment is sufficient given increasing Chinese aggression in the South and East China Seas. China’s assertive territorial claims and construction of islands in disputed waters have heightened tensions in the region. What are the security implications for Taiwan? What U.S. policy options are available to support this key ally?

On August 9, Hudson Institute hosted a conversation with Richard Fisher, Paul Giarra, and Ian Easton on regional security challenges facing Taiwan. Hudson Senior Fellow Seth Cropsey moderated the discussion.

Click here to view Rick Fisher's slide presentation.

Click here to view Ian Easton's handout.

Click here to view Paul Giarra's slide presentation.

Related Events
08
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Relearning Great Power Diplomacy: A Conversation with Wess Mitchell
Featured Speakers:
Wess Mitchell
A detail photo of “A Peace Conference at the Quai d'Orsay” by William Orpen. (Wikimedia Commons)
08
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Relearning Great Power Diplomacy: A Conversation with Wess Mitchell

Join Hudson’s Peter Rough for a discussion with Wess Mitchell on the future of great power diplomacy.

A detail photo of “A Peace Conference at the Quai d'Orsay” by William Orpen. (Wikimedia Commons)
Featured Speakers:
Wess Mitchell
09
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
How Promoting Freedom in North Korea Makes America Safer and Stronger
Featured Speakers:
Representative Young Kim (R-CA)
Greg Scarlatoiu
Sean Chung
Rose Jang
Hannah Oh
Moderator:
Getty Images
09
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
How Promoting Freedom in North Korea Makes America Safer and Stronger

Join Hudson Institute for a discussion on the connection between human rights in North Korea and US national security.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Representative Young Kim (R-CA)
Greg Scarlatoiu
Sean Chung
Rose Jang
Hannah Oh
Moderator:
09
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
The View from Bucharest with Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia Țoiu
Featured Speakers:
H.E. Oana-Silvia Țoiu
Getty Images
09
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
The View from Bucharest with Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia Țoiu

With Peter Rough, Foreign Minister Țoiu will discuss Black Sea security, the war in Ukraine, Russia’s hybrid attacks, and Romania-US relations.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
H.E. Oana-Silvia Țoiu
07
October 2025
Past Event
Understanding China’s Political and Institutional Foundations: A Conversation with Chenggang Xu
Featured Speakers:
Professor Chenggang Xu
Getty Images
07
October 2025
Past Event
Understanding China’s Political and Institutional Foundations: A Conversation with Chenggang Xu

Join Dr. Miles Yu, senior fellow and director of Hudson’s China Center, for a conversation with Professor Xu on why misunderstanding China’s political order may create critical strategic risks for the US amid intensifying geopolitical rivalry.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Professor Chenggang Xu