It was a dramatic way to start the first week of 2026: the United States’ capture of Venezuela’s president. Then the US withdrew from dozens of international organizations. And the week closed with new comments from President Donald Trump to the New York Times, including about the possibility of China launching an attack on Taiwan. In today’s podcast, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan take a closer look at how these stories could impact Taiwan.

Hello 2026! In the Friday, January 2 edition of the show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan look ahead to the coming year and how the TaiwanPlus newsroom plans to cover it.

It’s our final episode of the year and we’re packing in the big moments and the big questions. In the Monday, Dec. 29 edition of the show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan pause to reflect on the year that was.

Some years conclude with a celebratory feel. But in the Friday, Dec. 26 edition of the show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan take a closer look at some of the challenges facing Taiwan on the cusp of the new year.

Taiwan is trying to understand two major stories from last week – a complicated piece involving the courts and a disturbing incident that left four dead. In the Monday, December 22 edition of the show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan search for clarity.

The day began with a move to impeach Taiwan’s president, and then in the afternoon it transitioned to a constitutional crisis. In the Friday, Dec. 19 edition of the show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan get to the bottom of a memorable day of news.

A landmark court ruling in Hong Kong. In the Monday, December 15 edition of the show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan consider the long-awaited verdict in Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai’s national security trial and what on earth is going on with China’s new professional baseball league.

Pax Silica and a turning point in gender equality. In the Friday, December 12 edition of the show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan look at a new US-led initiative that could shake up the global semiconductor industry and the legacy of a politician whose death brought about a wake-up call for Taiwan.

More than 3 million people in Taiwan use the Chinese social media app Rednote, or Xiaohongshu. In the Friday, Dec. 5 edition of our show, we find out why the government is planning to ban it, and what the response has been.

US President Donald Trump has signed a new bill that could improve ties with Taiwan. In the Wednesday, Dec. 3 edition of the show, Andrew Ryan and Laurel Stewart dive into the details.