The News Lens
Date: 2017/10/06
By: Michael Turton0

Photo Credit: AP/達志影像

Taiwan by China. Instead, it is a thoroughly researched joy of a read that delves deep into the complexities of potential cross-Strait conflict, and comes up suggesting Taiwan remains a tough nut to crack for the PLA.

Suddenly Woundwort spoke.

“Thlayli,” he said, “Why do you want to throw your life away? I can send one fresh rabbit after another into this run if I choose. You’re too good to be killed. Come back to Efrafa. I promise I’ll give you the command of any Mark you like. I give you my word.”

“Silflay hraka, u embleer rah,” replied Bigwig.

— Richard Adams, “Watership Down”

Despite the flurry of recent media accounts, Ian Easton’s new book “The Chinese Invasion Threat: Taiwan’s Defense and American Strategy in Asia” makes no prediction of a 2020 invasion of Taiwan. Ignore the erroneous media hype: Easton offers a brilliant, thick description of China’s invasion plans, Taiwan’s plans to repel an invasion, potential invasion scenarios, and how the U.S. might respond. Throughout the incredible level of detail, and the vast number of plans, locations, weapons systems, operations and doctrines it presents, Easton’s clarity of order and logical presentation keep everything firmly under control. As the father of a son soon to serve in the Taiwan army, I came away from this book with a renewed sense of optimism and pride in the abilities of the Taiwan to handle an invasion from China, and a much better appreciation of how difficult it would be to invade “The Beautiful Island.” In short, do not buy the pessimism, but do buy this book.    [FULL  STORY]