Strait Forward

In this episode of Strait Forward, hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange are joined by three young Taiwanese leaders — Fanny Chao, Alaze Lin, and Joyce Chiang — who bring unique experience from Taiwan's three major political parties. As grad students in Washington D.C., the guests discuss how the U.S. capital fosters common ground and nuance that is often missing in domestic Taiwanese politics. The c...

In this episode of Strait Forward, hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange explore the evolving role of drones in modern warfare and their importance for Taiwan's defense. They discuss the shift from large, expensive military drones to more affordable, mass-produced systems, and the impact of the War in Ukraine on drone development and deployment.  The episode features Lorenz Meier, founder and CEO of...

In this episode of Strait Forward, hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange welcome Lev Nachman, an assistant professor in the Graduate Institute of National Development at National Taiwan University (NTU) and author of Contested Taiwan: Sovereignty, Social Movements, and Party Formation . They discuss how public opinion and polarized politics shape perceptions of recent events in Taiwan. Lev Nachman sh...

In this special catch-up episode of #StraitForward, co-hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange return to the studio to "spill the tea" on the latest from Taiwan. Channing shares insights from her trip to the Taiwan Expo USA in Dallas, detailing Taiwan's strong economic ties with Texas and the innovative technologies on display, from intelligent manufacturing to smart healthcare. The hosts also dive int...

In this episode of Strait Forward, recorded in June at the AI+ Expo, hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange are joined by Emily Feng, an international correspondent at NPR and author of Let Only Red Flowers Bloom. This conversation explores the role of storytelling and reporting in understanding complex geopolitical landscapes like China and Taiwan. Emily shares her unique experience as a foreign corr...

In this episode of Strait Forward, recorded on the final day of the AI+ Expo, hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange welcome Audrey Tang back to the show.  Audrey delves into her new role as Cyber Ambassador, discusses the groundbreaking ROOST initiative (Robust Open Online Safety Tools) – a decentralized, open-source defense against online harms – and shares her thoughts on the state of AGI. The disc...

In this episode of Strait Forward, recorded at SCSP’s AI+ Expo, hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange are joined by Dr. Yuh-Jye Lee, Senior Advisor at Taiwan's National Security Council. With a background in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and applied mathematics, Dr. Lee offers a unique perspective on how Taiwan can leverage emerging technologies for national defense. Welcome to Strait Forwa...

In this week’s episode of Strait Forward, filmed at our recent AI+ Expo, Channing Lee and Libby Lange speak with Chiayo Kuo, Founder of the Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Association. She shares her experiences conducting diplomacy in cyberspace and her vision for the future of AI-enabled diplomacy. Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project . 

On this episode of Strait Forward, hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange unpack how economic security is reshaping national security, detailing the measures the United States has adopted—from investment reviews to export controls—to protect its innovation edge. The episode features an insightful discussion with Jeremy Chih-Cheng Chang, CEO of the Research Institute for Democracy, Society, and Emergin...

In this episode of Strait Forward, hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange dive deep into the origin story of Taiwan's world-leading semiconductor industry. From the initial "breakfast meeting" that set the course, to the deliberate strategic decisions, government foresight, and the development of crucial "cluster effects" that paved the way, Channing and Libby explore the foundations of Taiwan's chip...

How is the U.S.-Taiwan relationship evolving in the face of major geopolitical shifts? Chieh-Ting Yeh, Director of US Taiwan Watch, joins hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange for a new episode of Strait Forward to explore the current dynamics and future of U.S.-Taiwan relations, examining cultural perceptions, economic ties, and the crucial role of people-to-people connections. Introduction to Chieh...

In this episode of Strait Forward, hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange continue their exploration of Taiwan's political landscape by focusing on the Kuomintang (KMT), one of the island's two major political parties. Featuring an interview with Assistant Director of International Affairs for the KMT, Howard Cheng-Hao Shen, the conversation covers Shen’s personal journey into the party, the KMT's rel...

In this episode of "Strait Forward," Channing Lee and Libby Lange explore the history and evolution of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) from its grassroots origins during the authoritarian era to its current standing. Featuring an interview with Iris Shaw, Director of the DPP's US mission, the discussion covers the party's advocacy for democratic reforms, its transition to govern...

China's military pressure on Taiwan is escalating. How is Taiwan responding? Fei-Fan Lin, Deputy Secretary-General of Taiwan’s National Security Council, joins hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange to provide crucial insights into Taiwan's defense strategies.  This episode explores Taiwan's multifaceted approach to national security, lessons learned from the Ukraine war, and the importance of societa...

In this episode of Strait Forward, hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange explore the crucial topic of digital resilience, particularly in the context of Taiwan's technologically advanced society. They discuss the multifaceted nature of digital resilience, encompassing both physical infrastructure and cybersecurity. The conversation delves into the challenges Taiwan faces, from natural disasters like...

This episode of "Strait Forward" explores the intricate history of Taiwan's democratization, focusing on the pivotal moments that shaped its current political identity. It begins by establishing a glossary of key historical terms and then dives into the impact of these events on Taiwan's societal fabric. Historian Dr. Dominic Yang joins the conversation to shed light on the profound effects of tra...

In the inaugural episode of "Straight Forward," Channing Lee and Libby Lange delve into the multifaceted importance of Taiwan in today's global landscape. They begin by discussing their personal connections to Taiwan and then provide a foundational overview of the island's geography, economy, and unique political status. Ambassador Alexander Yui joins the conversation to share his insights on Taiw...

SCSP’s Channing Lee and Libby Lange take a deep-dive into Taiwan, the island at the forefront of technological innovation and the global fight for democracy. Hear Taiwanese experts discuss geopolitics, technology, and culture. Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.