Flash Points: What Taiwan’s election means for geopolitics

Will Lai Ching-te be the China hawk the U.S. wants? JANUARY 28, 2024  |  [VIEW IN BROWSER](     [Taiwan's president-elect, Lai Ching-te (L), gestures beside his running mate, Hsiao Bi-khim, during a rally outside the headquarters of the Democratic Progressive Party in Taipei after Lai won the presidential election, on Jan. 13, 2024. (Photo by Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP)]( Taiwan’s president-elect, Lai Ching-te, stands beside his running mate, Hsiao Bi-khim, during a rally outside the headquarters of the Democratic Progressive Party in Taipei after Lai won the election on Jan. 13. Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP Since Lai Ching-te was elected president of Taiwan on Jan. 13, foreign-policy analysts have engaged in heated debate over what the election means for geopolitics. Like Taiwan’s current president, Lai rejects China’s sovereignty claims over the island. Beijing’s response has so far been muted, as FP’s James Palmer [writes](, but many experts have serious concerns over whether China will retaliate—and how that might affect Taiwan, the United States, and global democracy. The essays below examine the possible implications of Taiwan’s election on everything from cross-strait relations to Washington’s policy of strategic ambiguity.—Chloe Hadavas   [1]( [America’s Strategy of Ambiguity Is Ending Now]( The United States has expanded its security commitments around the world—and the bill is coming due. By James Crabtree   [2]( [Will Taiwan’s Next President Be the China Hawk Washington Wants?]( The Biden administration hopes Lai Ching-te will take the threat of a cross-strait invasion as seriously as the U.S. does. By Jack Detsch   [3]( [How Can Taiwan Manage an Angry China?]( A new president means another round of reaction from Beijing. By ChinaFile Contributors   [4]( [How China Exploited Taiwan’s Election—and What It Could Do Next]( Beijing has long used its backyard as a testing ground for foreign influence operations. By Rishi Iyengar   [5]( [Why Washington Wants Americans to Care About Taiwan]( Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi on U.S. involvement in conflicts abroad: “We have to be equipped.” By Ravi Agrawal [Elevate Your Career with Graduate School]( Learn about top-tier graduate programs that are preparing the next generation of leaders for a fulfilling career in international affairs. Indicate your areas of interest [here]( to access the FP Graduate School Guide.     [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( You’re receiving this email at {EMAIL} because you signed up for FP's Flash Points newsletter. [MANAGE YOUR EMAIL PREFERENCES]( | [VIEW OUR PRIVACY POLICY]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE]( Interested in partnering with FP on events, podcasts, or research? [Explore FP Solutions](. [Foreign Policy]( is a division of Graham Holdings Company. All contents © 2023 Graham Digital Holding Company LLC. All rights reserved. Foreign Policy, 655 15th St NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC, 20005.