Author: Thomas S. Wilkins, University of Sydney

The Taiwanese presidential election is due to be held on 14 January. As the election draws near, analysts in Taiwan are avidly sifting the tea leaves to predict what the future holds — will the incumbent leader, Ma Ying-jeou, of the Kuomintang (KMT) gain a second term and continue his rapprochement with the PRC mainland?

Or will Tsai Ing-wen, his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) opponent, unseat Ma and seek to reinforce Taiwan’s distinct identity? At present, polls show almost an even split in support for the two candidates. Read more…

Author: Thomas Wilkins, University of Sydney

As a result of the 2007 Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation, Australia and Japan may now be considered close strategic partners.

Their interaction is reinforced and amplified by their formal military alliances with the United States, forming a triad through the Trilateral Security Dialogue (TSD). Read more…