This collection examines the theory, practice, and application of state neutrality in international relations. With a focus on its modern-day applications, the studies in this volume analyze the global implications of permanent neutrality for Taiwan, Russia, Ukraine, the European Union, and the United States. Exploring permanent neutrality's role as a realist security model capable of rivaling collective security, the authors argue that permanent neutrality has the potential to decrease major security dilemmas on the global stage.

Recent concern about mainland China's intentions towards Taiwan, and more general concern about the risk of instability in the region, has led to growing interest in Taiwan's military strategy. This book brings together a range of experts from the West and from Taiwan itself who examine the key issues connected with Taiwan's air power, which is a key aspect of the China-Taiwan military balance. During the 1990s, Taiwan invested considerable resources in thoroughly re-equipping its air force with modern air defence and strike aircraft equipped with modern missiles, thereby denying China command of the air in any conflict in the short- to medium-term. In the longer-term, air power will remain a crucial influence on the overall balance, as China's efforts to upgrade its own air force's capabilities begin to undermine Taiwan's current advantages.

Recent concern about mainland China's intentions towards Taiwan, and more general concern about the risk of instability in the region, has led to growing interest in Taiwan's military strategy, in how Taiwan perceives threats to itself, and in how the Taiwanese military are reacting to these perceived threats. This book, which includes contributions by leading Taiwanese military thinkers, explores current military strategy in Taiwan and how it is evolving. It discusses Taiwan's military modernisation, and the implications of the recent defeat after fifty years in power of the Kuomintang Party, implications which include a move away from an authoritarian garrison state culture, and the beginnings of a more open debate about defence. The book concludes with an overall appraisal of Taiwan's defence vision and makes recommendations on how Taiwan's defence might be enhanced.

This collection examines the theory, practice, and application of state neutrality in international relations. With a focus on its modern-day applications, the studies in this volume analyze the global implications of permanent neutrality for Taiwan, Russia, Ukraine, the European Union, and the United States. Exploring permanent neutrality's role as a realist security model capable of rivaling collective security, the authors argue that permanent neutrality has the potential to decrease major security dilemmas on the global stage.

Recent concern about mainland China's intentions towards Taiwan, and more general concern about the risk of instability in the region, has led to growing interest in Taiwan's military strategy. This book brings together a range of experts from the West and from Taiwan itself who examine the key issues connected with Taiwan's air power, which is a key aspect of the China-Taiwan military balance. During the 1990s, Taiwan invested considerable resources in thoroughly re-equipping its air force with modern air defence and strike aircraft equipped with modern missiles, thereby denying China command of the air in any conflict in the short- to medium-term. In the longer-term, air power will remain a crucial influence on the overall balance, as China's efforts to upgrade its own air force's capabilities begin to undermine Taiwan's current advantages.

Contents:
Foreword
Preface
Chapter 1. Introduction: Future Vision of Taiwan's Defence Policy: the Challenge of Change
Part I. The External Security Environment
Chapter 2. US Military Security Policy toward the People's Republic of China
Chapter 3. The PLA's Capabilities in the Next Decade: The Crucial Influence of Politics
Part II. The Military Balance Across the Taiwan Strait
Chapter 4. The Evolution and Adaptation of Taiwan's Military Strategy
Chapter 5. Taiwan's Defence Modernisation: Facing the Challenge Ahead Part III. Taiwan's Military Modernisation
Chapter 6. The Modernisation of the Republic of China's Army
Chapter 7. The Republic of China Military Reform: A Case Study of the Taiwanese Navy
Chapter 8. Air Power and Taiwanese Security: Adapting to the Revolution
Part IV. The Cornerstones of Taiwanese Future Defence Vision
Chapter 9. The Evolution of Military-Society Relations in Taiwan: From Militarised Society to Socialised Military
Chapter 10. Revolutionary Trends in the Republic of China's Professional Military Education
Chapter 11. Taiwanese Military and Strategic Culture: What do they mean for Future Taiwanese Defence and Security
Part V. Conlusion
Chapter 12. Taiwan's Security and Defence in a Changing World