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 Taiwan's journey from isolation to a key player in technology and democracy, the challenges it faces, and the burgeoning US-Taiwan relationship. 

They discuss:

• Ambassador Yui's career background
• Taiwan's journey from isolation to recognition
• Introducing Taiwan to a new audience
• Challenges in global diplomacy
• Taiwan's role in global innovation
• Maintaining democracy in the face of external threats
• The evolving threat from Beijing
• Opportunities for US-Taiwan cooperation in 2025
• Ambassador Yui's recommendations for learning more about Taiwan

Check out some related works:

- The PRC’s Remote Poaching Model

- The View from Taiwan: Democracy in Action

- Beijing’s Play for Taiwan’s Young Voices Intensifies

- Taiwan: Strength in Unity, Behind Innovation Power

- Two Island Nations, From Neighbors to Partners

- Taiwan: A Case Study in Resilience and Innovation

Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.