What is Taiwan’s porcupine defence strategy?
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine raises questions about how Taiwan could fend off China
THE THREAT of Chinese invasion has loomed over Taiwan for more than 70 years—so long that many Taiwanese have grown to assume it will never happen. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shattered that complacency. Taiwan suddenly has a live example of a large state invading a smaller neighbour while claiming that it is not a real country—the same claim China makes about Taiwan. The disturbing parallel has sparked a public debate over whether Taiwan is prepared to fend off an invasion. One recurring topic is the “porcupine” method of defence that American and Taiwanese strategists have pushed Taiwan’s armed forces to adopt. What does it mean to be a porcupine, and how might it help deter Chinese aggression?
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