U.S. envoy in Taipei calls for more Taiwan investment in drones and asymmetric defense
The Facts
- Raymond Greene, director of the American Institute in Taiwan, said Taiwan should invest more in drones and other unmanned systems as part of its defense planning.
- Greene made the remarks at a forum in Taipei on June 6.
- Greene said Taiwan should focus on asymmetric defense capabilities and use defense spending in ways that produce faster deterrence gains.
- Greene cited conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East as evidence that drones and unmanned systems are changing modern warfare and can help smaller militaries counter larger ones.
- The comments came as Taiwan was seeking legislative approval for parts of additional defense spending, with Taiwan News reporting that the opposition-led legislature approved only part of a requested package.
- The issue matters beyond the speech itself because U.S. lawmakers are also advancing defense support for Taiwan that includes up to US$1 billion and cooperation on unmanned systems.
How left and right are reading this
- Both agree
- Taiwan’s defense planning should prioritize asymmetric capabilities — especially drones and other unmanned systems — because they can deliver faster deterrence gains and help a smaller military counter a larger one in a changing model of warfare.
- They split on
- Less a disagreement than a question of emphasis: whether the immediate stakes are Taiwan’s pending choices about how to allocate added defense spending, or the broader strategic case that recent wars show drones are reshaping deterrence and battlefield advantage.
Context
Who is Raymond Greene?
Greene is the director of the American Institute in Taiwan, the U.S. government's de facto embassy in Taipei Investing.com,Taiwan News,Taipei Times.
Why did Greene emphasize drones and unmanned systems?
He said recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East show that drones are reshaping warfare and giving smaller militaries new ways to deter or counter larger adversaries Investing.com,Taiwan News.
What happens next on Taiwan defense funding?
Taiwan is still seeking approval for parts of additional defense spending, while in Washington a House committee has advanced a defense bill that includes up to US$1 billion for Taiwan security cooperation and joint development of unmanned systems Investing.com,Taipei Times,Focus Taiwan (CNA E….
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