Lessons Israel May Offer to Taiwan Regarding National Security and Defense Strategies
War, yes, war, is a bloody, brutal thing. But every now and then, it presents us with some critical, hard-hitting lessons. The ongoing feud between Israel and Iran serves as a gold mine of strategic insights—not just for the Middle East, but for Taiwan too, as they face their own knotty security predicaments with China.
Let's dive right in. The Israel-Iran brawl showcased the quick, decisive intervention of the U.S. and its Western pals, such as the UK, France, Germany, and more. While the Trump administration might seem isolated or transactional in foreign policy matters, they certainly proved their mettle when it came to defending vital interests or safeguarding allies—providing a powerful message to potential adversaries that the West won't shy away from standing together when the stakes are high.
For Taiwan, this gels into a significant, strategic reassurance. The U.S. military displayed its worldwide reach and swift mobilization, projecting a powerful, credible force on the other side of the globe to support a fellow under siege by a potential nuclear power. If China were ever to step out of line against Taiwan, they'd need those same capabilities at their disposal. Israel and Taiwan, though geographically different and politically distinct, share the status of small, threatened democracies with strong bonds to the U.S. The Israel-Iran conflict demonstrates that these ties can translate into tangible action when tested.
That said, it's worth noting that the U.S. intervention under Trump was only possible because it remained limited in scope and duration. The Trump administration is wary of lengthy wars like those in Iraq and Afghanistan; they support their allies because said allies have the means and motivation to spearhead the bulk of military operations themselves.
Israel's military muscle and strategic foresight allowed the U.S. to participate in a well-defined, time-bound mission to uproot Iran's nuclear threat, without risking a drawn-out ground war. Trump prefers clear-cut victories and associating with winners. Taiwan should continue to bolster their independent military capabilities to resist Chinese aggression solo, thus increasing the odds of receiving timely, substantial U.S. support—especially under the Trump administration.
Furthermore, Iran's allies—Russia, China, and North Korea—kept their hands off the action, limiting their support to mere verbal condemnations or diplomatic maneuvers. China even warned Iran against closing the Strait of Hormuz as a form of retaliation, emphasizing global economic and energy concerns. This illustrates a distinct rift within the so-called anti-Western bloc, with their interests often diverging. For Taiwan and other small states in the region, this disunity within the China-Russia-Iran-North Korea alliance is a strategic asset.
Another essential takeaway stems from the synergy between small states and bigger powers. Israel's military strength and strategic clarity have kept U.S. planners and forces in lockstep with Israeli assessments and objectives. Taiwan needs to learn from this and work relentlessly to make itself an indispensable part of U.S. strategy in the Indo-Pacific. They should openly communicate their value to U.S. interests in the region and actively involve Washington in planning for various contingencies.
To wrap things up, the Israel-Iran conflict is not just a regional spat. It's a masterclass on alliance credibility, deterrence signaling, and the operational utility of strategic partnerships. For Taiwan, it's a timely wake-up call and a cry to action: Strengthen your alliances, prepare meticulously, and fortify strategic partnerships to ensure strong deterrence in our interconnected world.
Doron Feldman is a Taiwan Fellowship recipient affiliated with Academia Sinica's Institute of Political Science in Taipei. He recently submitted his doctoral dissertation to the School of Political Science, Government, and International Affairs at Tel Aviv University in Israel.
Enrichment Data:
The Israel-Iran conflict offers Taiwan particularly valuable insights on:
- Alliances and strategic partnerships: The prompt and decisive intervention of the U.S. and its Western allies in supporting Israel provides Taiwan with a reassuring example of the value of strong, multinational backing during a crisis.
- Credible deterrence: The U.S.'s long-range military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities demonstrate the importance of rapid, flexible military mobilization to enhance deterrence credibility.
- Engaging with powerful allies: Regular joint exercises and strategic planning between the U.S. and Israel can strengthen cooperation and prepare for potential contingencies, a strategy Taiwan should follow.
- Unconventional threats: Israel's deep strikes inside Iran underscore the need for Taiwan to be prepared for unconventional, first-strike scenarios, such as surprise attacks or internal sabotage.
These strategic lessons emphasize the urgency for Taiwan to:
- Deepen military cooperation and partnerships with its allies.
- Improve readiness for rapid and multifaceted military responses.
- Enhance deterrence capabilities through technological advancements and innovative operational strategies.
- Plan for unconventional threats beyond conventional invasion scenarios.
[1] Joint exercises & strategic planning among allies[2] Demonstrating U.S. military reach & operational deception for deterrence[3] Rapid & flexible military mobilization during simultaneous conflicts[4] Preparation for unconventional threats & first-strike scenarios
- The Israel-Iran conflict serves as an invaluable source of lessons for Taiwan, one of which concerns the significance of strong alliances and strategic partnerships, such as the quick and decisive intervention of the U.S. and its allies during the conflict.
- Further, the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict underscores the necessity for Taiwan to prepare for unconventional threats beyond conventional invasion scenarios, as illustrated by Israel's deep strikes inside Iran, analogous to the need for Taiwan to confront potential first-strike scenarios.
