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Dive deep into the Taiwan Strait, a pivotal battleground of the clash between Western hegemony and Eastern resistance, as well as the transition from a fading unipolar world to an emerging multipolar order. Uncover the complexities of cross-strait relations between Taiwan and mainland China, contextualizing them within the broader landscape of global politics. Gain a fresh perspective on Taiwan and beyond, distinct from what is typically portrayed in mainstream media.
Episodes
Jul 4, 2025
Jul 4, 2025
47 min
Why is Japanese colonial rule remembered so differently in Taiwan than in Korea? In this episode, we dive deep into the Japanese colonization of Taiwan to unpack that question. From addressing the land question and carrying out irrigation projects to strategic co-optation of local elites and the brutal Kominka assimilation campaign, we explore how Japan engineered long-term compliance—and how the KMT's postwar repression inadvertently helped to erase anti-Japanese resistance from public memory. With colonization came modernization in Taiwan, but who paid for it? This is the story of exploitation disguised as development, and how selective memory shapes public opinion to this day.
The content of this episode is also available in article form
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May 27, 2025
May 27, 2025
1hr 45 min
What happens when someone raised at the heart of the Taiwan separatist movement walks away from it all?
In this episode, we sit down with the son of a well-known longtime activist — someone who grew up steeped in the rhetoric of FAPA, WUFI, and various Taiwan separatist organizations back when a sizeable portion of the movement operated from exile. Once surrounded by ideological fervor, he now views Taiwan separatism as a political dead end and instead advocates for cross-strait reconciliation — doing business on the mainland and even self-identifying as a fellow traveler of the CPC!
We talk about the class and demographic makeup of the Taiwan lobby in America, how many of its early members came from benshengren PMC families, and why the movement rarely included working-class or waishengren voices. We trace how the Taiwan separatist movement was deeply shaped by the New Left in America, how groups like WUFI once plotted assassinations and terrorist attacks, and how the KMT responded with its own dark alliances — including targeted killings in coordination with organized crime.
From the rise of the DPP to the weaponization of wokeness, we explore how Taiwan's politics are entangled with American ideological currents. And we ask hard questions: Why do second-gen ABCs so often get recruited into causes they barely understand? What happens when identity politics becomes a tool of empire? And how do we move forward — honestly, pragmatically, and with historical clarity?
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May 13, 2025
May 13, 2025
50 min
How has the Communist Party of China’s approach to the Taiwan question evolved over time? In this episode, we trace the historical arc of the CPC’s Taiwan strategy—from its revolutionary roots to the pragmatic framework that defines cross-strait relations today. We break down key turning points from 1949 to the present to understand how and why the CPC’s approach to the Taiwan question has evolved—from an early emphasis on military liberation, to a pragmatic shift toward peaceful reunification, to the quasi-normalization of cross-strait engagement beginning in the late 1980s, and finally to the firm red lines outlined in the 2005 Anti-Secession Law.
This is essential listening for anyone who wants to cut through the noise and understand the deeper context behind Beijing’s current posture toward Taipei.
The content of this episode can also be read in article form
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Apr 24, 2025
Apr 24, 2025
41 min
In this episode, we touch on the question that's on many people's minds: will the US intervene in the event of a war across the Taiwan Strait?
We do this by breaking down "The Taiwan Fixation: American Strategy Shouldn’t Hinge on an Unwinnable War," an article by US foreign policy insiders Jennifer Kavanagh and Stephen Wertheim. Despite being staunch defenders of US hegemony, thoroughly embedded in the American foreign policy establishment, the authors warn against US military intervention in a Taiwan Strait conflict—proposing instead a "porcupine strategy:" arm Taiwan in ways that complicate a PLA attack, but not to win a war.
This strategy isn't just about deterrence—it's also a cash cow. The true winnners are defense contractors and politicians who receive kickbacks from the arms trade, and experts admit these weapons won't stop the PLA from launching or winning a war. The people of Taiwan spend billions to raise tensions without security guarantees.
We go deeper into why the U.S. is backing away from military commitment—strategically, economically, and politically—and examine the short-sightedness and careless of the Lai Ching-te administration. While bending to US pressure on defense spending and TSMC relocation, it risks dragging the people of Taiwan into a war they'll be expected to fight alone.
The rhetoric may still sound soft on Beijing to some—but it is in reality a well thought scam.
The content of this episode can also be read in article form
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Mar 11, 2025
Mar 11, 2025
2hr 14 min
In this episode of STXY, I sit down with Slava, a member of the American Communist Party who was born and raised in Ukraine, to discuss Ukraine’s place in the ongoing struggle between Western hegemony and multipolar resistance. We examine the historical and political forces that turned Ukraine into a battleground between Russia and NATO, as well as the evolution of its national consciousness.
To what extent is Ukraine a sovereign actor versus a pawn in a larger geopolitical game? And how does its situation compare to the complex situation between China's Taiwan and mainland? What lessons can the people on Taiwan learn from the cautionary tale of Ukraine?
Join us as we cut through the propaganda and analyze Ukraine’s role in the shifting global order.
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Feb 25, 2025
Feb 25, 2025
44 min
The February 28th Incident of 1947 is widely remembered as a tragic moment in Taiwan’s history, but the way it has been framed and exploited over the years reveals a story of political opportunism. The scarcity of accurate English-language information has further enabled well-meaning Western commentators to unknowingly distort the event. In this episode of STXY, we examine what truly happened in 1947 and explore how and why the 228 Incident has been misrepresented by political actors—shaping a false collective memory whose impact is still deeply felt in Taiwan today.
The content of this episode can be read in article form on my newsletter.
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Feb 14, 2025
Feb 14, 2025
25 min
Taiwan’s ruling DPP is using lawfare in an attempt to crush opposition, deploying politically motivated prosecutions while international media looks the other way. Despite 150,000 people taking to the streets in protest last month, there’s been near-total silence from mainstream outlets outside of Taiwan. In this episode of STXY, we take a look at what's going on, and why the DPP is becoming increasingly anti-democratic.
The content of this episode has also been published in article form for those who prefer reading on my newsletter.
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Jan 28, 2025
Jan 28, 2025
1hr 21 min
In this episode of STXY, I sit down with my friend Lin Chi-yu, who shares his journey from being a passionate supporter of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to being an ardent critic. We explore what initially drew him to the party, the experiences that led to his disillusionment, and his evolving thoughts on Taiwan's future.
Lin offers candid insights into Cross-Strait relations, US-Taiwan dynamics, and the broader political landscape, tackling many questions submitted by you, our listeners. This conversation provides a nuanced look at the complexities of political identity and Taiwan’s uncertain path forward.
Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion you won’t want to miss!
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