Freymann’s Taiwan Deterrence Book Highlights Flaws
SkimNews Take
While advocating for deterrence, the book's comprehensive detailing of potential conflict scenarios and countermeasures inadvertently provides a blueprint of vulnerabilities and escalatory pathways for both sides.
Get the Geopolitics newsletter
Daily geopolitics — wars, elections, sanctions, the diplomatic moves that move markets. Free.
- Eyck Freymann authored "Defending Taiwan: A Strategy to Prevent War with China", a 300‑page book with more than 1,000 citations.
- The book argues that Taiwan is crucial for a free and open Indo‑Pacific, U.S. AI primacy, regional alliances, global stability, and Taiwan’s democracy.
- Freymann outlines possible Chinese aggression (gray‑zone pressure, blockade, invasion) and U.S. policy options (Malacca Strait blockade, sweeping sanctions, attacks on mainland China, breaking a blockade by force).
- The review notes that the book’s treatment of potential nuclear exchanges is thorough but that it contains serious flaws that could mislead policymakers.
- The author emphasizes deterrence over war outcomes, focusing on political, military, and economic measures to prevent Beijing from taking steps toward aggression.
Why it matters: Policymakers gain a comprehensive but flawed framework for Taiwan deterrence, while the risk of misguided strategies could jeopardize U.S.–China stability, increase regional tension, and threaten Taiwan’s security.
Ask SkimNews
