麻豆社

James Crabtree has spent nearly 15 years tracking politics in Asia as an author, journalist and analyst. In that time, one small island - separated from mainland China by a hundred miles of water - has remained the most dangerous point of contention in the world鈥檚 most important relationship. Now, he argues, something has shifted.

Two developments over the past couple of years have made an already precarious situation even more volatile - the return of President Trump and the boom in AI. Taiwan holds a monopoly on the production of the world鈥檚 most advanced semi-conductors. This creates an imperative for the West to defend it, a position referred to by analysts as 鈥淪ilicon Shield鈥�. Recently though, Trump has referred to the island as a 鈥渘egotiating chip鈥�, and a $14bn arms package has been put on hold ahead of meeting with Xi Jinping in September.

James hears from experts in Taipei, Beijing and Washington. From Pentagon insiders to tech entrepreneurs, spanning continents and party lines, he asks whether the world is moving towards conflict over this small island territory. Moving beyond the headlines, he tackles what Taiwan is actually thinking at this crucial moment and how we can begin to make sense of Beijing鈥檚 thinking when it comes to a purported amphibious invasion.

Crucially, he looks at how the ripples are likely to impact us all. Does Taiwan鈥檚 technology offer protection or a target? Who is likely to decide its fate? And what can this decision tell us about power on the global stage?

Presenter: James Crabtree
Producer: Jacob Dabb
Sound Design: Rowan Bishop

A 2 Degrees West production for 麻豆社 Radio 4