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Strait Forward: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Special Competitive Studies Project - SCSP
Strait Forward is a podcast series from the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), where Channing Lee takes a deep-dive into Taiwan, the island at the forefront of technological innovation and the global fight for democracy. Hear Taiwanese experts discuss geopolitics, technology, and culture.
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- 1 weeks ago25 min
How Taiwan is Building an AI Island
Taiwan's Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs, Chia-Lin Yang, joins host Channing Lee live at the AI+ Expo for a conversation on Taiwan's ambitions to become an “AI island” grounded in democratic values. They discuss the mission of Taiwan's Ministry of Digital Affairs (moda), the country's Ten AI Initiative, and the challenge of building a competitive software ecosystem to match Taiwan's already dominant hardware capabilities. Deputy Minister Yang also reflects on AI governance, cybersecurity priorities, and what it will take to push Taiwan's digital transformation from prototype to widespread adoption. Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.
- 3 weeks ago43 min
A Strategy for Defending Taiwan
Channing Lee hosts a live conversation at the 2026 AI+ Expo Bookstore with historian Eyck Freymann, a Hoover Fellow at Stanford University. Drawing from Freymann’s new book, Defending Taiwan: A Strategy to Prevent War with China, the discussion delves into the "deterrence stack," a multi-layered defense framework encompassing political, military, strategic, and economic pillars. Freymann explains that while the United States is well-prepared for conventional military scenarios, it remains vulnerable to gray-zone tactics and economic coercion, making a comprehensive strategy essential for navigating future cross-strait crises. Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.
- May 12, 202642 min
Defending Against PRC Doublethink & Information Manipulation
At the 2026 AI+ Expo, host Channing Lee speaks with Doublethink Lab Founder and CEO Ttcat, Senior Analyst Jerry Yu, and Strategic Partnership Manager Dahyun Kim to expose the evolving tactics of PRC influence. From the alarming "GoLaxy Leak"—which revealed PRC state-backed AI profiling of Taiwan and U.S. citizens—to the "Borderless Group" content farms infiltrating social media, this episode pulls back the curtain on PRC foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI). The team discusses the critical role of democratic control over the AI supply chain and shares why human vigilance is still the best digital defense. Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.
- Apr 28, 202625 min
How to Brew Taiwanese Tea
In this episode of Strait Forward, host Channing Lee sits down with Paul Chang, founder of the Morganhope Tea Shoppe in Taipei, to discuss the history and uniqueness of Taiwanese tea. As a "first-generation tea maker," Paul explains how his shop blends modern practices with ancient craftsmanship. He walks Channing through a tea tasting experience, exploring the spectrum of seaweed-like notes in Taiwanese green tea to the honeyed sweetness of Oriental Beauty oolong. Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.
- Apr 14, 202652 min
Japan's Stake in the Taiwan Strait
In this episode of Strait Forward, host Channing Lee is joined by Ken Moriyasu, Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute and former foreign correspondent for Nikkei Asia, to discuss how Japan is navigating its stake in Taiwan’s future. Drawing on decades of experience reporting from Beijing, Washington, and Tokyo, Moriyasu provides a sobering, pragmatic assessment of the Japan-Taiwan relationship and the shifting geopolitical realities of the Indo-Pacific. They discuss the recent, controversial statements by Prime Minister Takaichi, who categorized a Taiwan contingency as "survival-threatening" for Japan, as well as Japan’s potential role in a cross-strait conflict. Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.
- Mar 31, 202658 min
A Ghost Nation’s Struggle for Survival
In this episode of Strait Forward, host Channing Lee is joined by Taipei-based freelance journalist Chris Horton to discuss his new book, Ghost Nation: The Story of Taiwan and Its Struggle for Survival. With over two decades of experience reporting for major news outlets from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, Horton offers an "outsider-on-the-inside" perspective on the island’s history and how Taiwan has evolved from a geopolitical afterthought to an indispensable global player that still struggles for formal recognition. Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.
- Mar 17, 20261h 1m
Why Taiwan Matters to Every U.S. City & State (Subnational Diplomacy Explained)
Strait Forward celebrates its first anniversary with a special crossover episode featuring SCSP’s in-person “Chipping In” event series! Host Channing Lee welcomes on stage Andrea Yang, Deputy Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO), to discuss how Taiwan is engaging in subnational diplomacy across American cities and states. She provides a historical overview of Taiwan’s resilient diplomatic efforts since 1979, highlighting how Taiwan’s 13 representative offices, numerous "Sister City" relationships, and significant tech industry investments across America foster critical cultural, agricultural, economic, and tech ties between the United States and Taiwan. Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.
- Mar 3, 202639 min
How to Cook Taiwanese Cuisine
On this episode of Strait Forward, host Channing Lee explores the rich tapestry of Taiwanese culture through the lens of its world-class cuisine. Moving beyond the "clichés" of beef noodle soup (牛肉麵) and xiaolongbao (小籠包), the episode highlights how food serves as a powerful unifier and a key component of Taiwan's global soft power. Author and award-winning food journalist Clarissa Wei discusses her cookbook, Made in Taiwan: Recipes and Stories from the Island Nation, explaining how centuries of history—from Japanese colonial rule to post-war American influence—have created a unique culinary melting pot. The episode then moves into the kitchen as cooking instructor Ivy Chen joins Channing for a hands-on lesson in making Stir-Fried Rice Vermicelli, or Chao Mi Fen (炒米粉), teaching the essential wok techniques and "folding" methods that define authentic Taiwanese home cooking. Strait Forward is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project.
About Strait Forward
Strait Forward is a podcast series from the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), where Channing Lee takes a deep-dive into Taiwan, the island at the forefront of technological innovation and the global fight for democracy. Hear Taiwanese experts discuss geopolitics, technology, and culture.
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