Ryan Hass

1 month ago | brookings.edu | Kerry Brown |Ryan Hass

Editor's note: This piece is part of the Taiwan-U.S. Quarterly Analysis series, which features the original writings of experts with the goal of providing a range of perspectives on developments relating to Taiwan. Kerry Brown is a world-renowned China scholar and former British diplomat. He currently serves as professor of Chinese studies and director of the Lau China Institute at King’s College London.

Jan 15, 2025 | csis.org | Ryan Hass |Ryan McElveen |Lily McElwee

The IssueFrictions between the United States and China are intensifying, yet even past geopolitical rivals found ways to collaborate on shared challenges where it squarely served national interests. In November 2022, the CSIS Freeman Chair in China Studies and the Brookings John L. Thornton China Center launched a project to explore safe and effective methods for collaboration among nonstate actors on key challenges facing both nations.

Nov 22, 2024 | brookings.edu | Ryan Hass

President-elect Donald Trump won the 2024 election in part by vowing to change the way the United States government works at home and abroad. With roughly 65% of registered voters believing that the United States is on the wrong track, Trump’s pledges to disrupt government policies and practices attracted broad public appeal. On Taiwan, Trump has shown that he will not be bound by precise policy catechisms that his predecessors had developed and largely abided over the past 45 years.

Nov 5, 2024 | brookings.edu | Ryan Hass

During America’s 1992 presidential campaign, Bill Clinton’s political strategist, James Carville, famously summed up the race with the phrase, “It’s the economy, stupid.” Carville’s point was that the election would be decided on the economy. If Clinton wished to win, Carville argued, his campaign would need to focus relentlessly on economic concerns. Clinton heeded Carville’s advice and won the election.

Oct 3, 2024 | brookings.edu | Richard Bush |Ryan Hass

Executive summaryWith public attention on foreign policy largely focused on Ukraine and Israel, it is understandable that Taiwan is not a main feature of debate in this election cycle. Even so, Taiwan is likely to rise as an issue commanding presidential attention over the next four years. Beijing appears intent on ratcheting up pressure on Taiwan in pursuit of its goal of unification. The people of Taiwan remain committed to upholding the status quo and not acceding to China’s goal of unification.