Taiwan’s defense strategy against a potential cross-strait invasion from China is widely known as the “porcupine defense,” which aims to deny or significantly degrade a rapid ground assault. In a discussion hosted by Tom Galvin, Ying-Chie Hsieh and Pete Roongsang examine Taiwan’s “whole-of-society” resilience program. Their research focuses on three major defense policies enacted since 2022: strengthening the Reserve Component Initiative, reforming the military force structure and people’s defense and establishing the Whole of Society Defense Committee. The conversation stressed the urgent need for greater innovation, synchronization, and speed in preparing Taiwan’s defense. This includes aligning U.S. security assistance with Taiwan’s domestic efforts, specifically by using training alternatives like simulation systems and developing a robust domestic unmanned aerial vehicle industry—to be ready in time.
Since 2022, three major policies have driven the transformation. The first, the strengthening policy on the Reserve Component Initiative. The second one is the strengthening own people’s defense and military force restructure plan. The third, the Whole of a Society Defense Committee.
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Ying-Chie Hsieh has proudly served in the Republic of China (Taiwan) Army for 17 years, with roles in Army Aviation, Special Forces Command, Army Headquarters, and Joint Staff. His extensive experience has honed his skills and dedication to Taiwan’s defense. He is an International Fellow and a graduate of the AY25 Resident Course and a member of the Carlisle Scholars Program at the U.S. Army War College.
Pete Roongsang is a West Point graduate, an Indo-Pacific focused Foreign Area Officer with regional experience in strategy, defense cooperation, and intelligence and a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army. A combat veteran fluent in Thai, he will next serve as the U.S. Army Attache in Canberra, Australia. He is a graduate of the AY25 Resident Course and member of the Carlisle Scholars Program at the U.S. Army War College.
Tom Galvin is Associate Professor of Resource Management in the Department of Command Leadership and Management (DCLM) as well as the leadership and management instructor for the Carlisle Scholars Program. at the United States Army War College. He is the author of the monograph Leading Change in Military Organizations and companion Experiential Activity Book.
The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense.
Photo Description: Illustration of Porcupine from Zoological lectures delivered at the Royal institution in the years 1806-7
Photo Credit: Public domain from Rawpixel, illustrated by George Shaw (1751-1813).
