The Iran war is offering a real-time stress test for a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait. Despite the US’ overwhelming military power, Iran has demonstrated how a weaker actor can impose costs, threaten distant bases and exploit escalation dynamics. From attempted strikes on Diego Garcia to the weaponization of energy and trade chokepoints, the conflict is reshaping assumptions about deterrence and resilience. Taiwan has already taken note, with a renewed focus on energy security and critical infrastructure, including President Lai Ching-te’s decision to restart two of the country’s nuclear plants. But do these lessons suggest greater vulnerability — or new opportunities for asymmetric defense? In this episode, we examine what the Iran war reveals about coalition dynamics, escalation risks, and how Taiwan can prepare for a high-stakes conflict in an increasingly unstable global security environment.
*Recorded on March 25, 2026 at 2:30pm Taiwan Standard Time
Host/Senior Producer: Yin Khvat
Research Assistant: Ryan Pham
Our guests:
John Lee
- Hudson Institute Senior Fellow
Tristan K. Tang
- Taiwan Defense Studies Initiative Co-Founder
Chapters:
00:00:00 – US-Iran Conflict Tests Taiwan’s War Readiness
00:08:37 – Trump Pulls Back Threats to Iran Power Grid
00:20:06 – Iran’s New Missiles Alter Strategic Risks to US
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