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Iran in Latin America: Threat or Axis of Annoyance?

Senior Fellow Douglas Farah's analysis of the debate over the level of threat posed by Iran's expanding diplomatic, trade and military presence in Latin America, and its stated ambition to continue to broaden these ties.read more

What Extremists Say About Jihad

IASC Visiting Fellow Stephen Coughlin's thesis draws on the most important Islamic scholars to describe the relationship betweem Jihad and Islamic law.read more

Salafists, China and West Africa's Growing Anarchy

Douglas Farah explores the challenges the U.S. faces in Western Africa from Islam, China and a growing dependence on oil and natural gas from the Gulf of Guinea.read more

Sustaining Deterrence on the Taiwan Strait[1]

by Richard Fisher, Jr.

July 21st, 2010

While seasoned observers are identifying what may be a second “freeze” on arms sales to Taiwan, the 66 F-16C fighters the Obama Administration has not yet approved for sale to Taiwan may only constitute the very beginning of a new phase of arms sales that will be required to sustain deterrence on the Taiwan Strait through this decade.  While Taiwan, especially under the “flexible diplomacy” of President Ma Ying Jeou has sought to expand economic and political relations with China, there should be no doubt that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) remains committed to achieving “unification” under their terms, a condition will continue until the CCP is removed from power in China. Until such a turn of history Taiwan’s survival as a democracy will depend on economic and political engagement with China that minimizes risks and the maintenance of a military capability that deters the CCP leadership from considering that it can secure military victory. 

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