In Season 6, Episode 4 of Global Taiwan Insights, Ben Sando interviews Sze-Fung Lee, an independent researcher specializing in hybrid warfare. In December 2024, the Taiwanese YouTuber "Ba Jiong" (八炯) made the explosive claim that some 200,000 Taiwanese citizens possess People’s Republic of China (PRC) ID cards – an activity that is illegal under Taiwanese law. The report sparked an uproar in Taiwan, and led to an investigation by Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency. Lee explains the PRC hybrid warfare tactics behind issuing ID cards to Taiwanese citizens, why cracking down on this activity has proven so controversial, and how this issue connects to broader efforts by Taiwan's government to push back against PRC subversion.

In Season 6, Episode 3 of Global Taiwan Insights, Ben Sando and Diarra Molock interview Lawrence Farley, better known by his stage name LeLe Farley (樂樂法利). Farley is a YouTuber with nearly half a million subscribers, and satirizes the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP, 中國共產黨) contradictory propaganda related to Taiwan and its own political system. Farley explains how he uses comedy to get ordinary people to care about nonsensical aspects of CCP propaganda, and how Taiwan activists can better hone their messages on social media. 

In Season 6, Episode 2 of GTI Insights, Ben Sando interviews Sascha Hannig Nuñez, an executive secretary at the Centro de Análisis para la Democracia (CAD) of Chile. As Chile’s minerals industry grows more dependent on the People's Republic of China (PRC), Chilean politicians are taking increasingly pro-Beijing lines about Taiwan. Some Chilean organizations like CAD are raising awareness about PRC Spanish-language propaganda, but the Taiwanese government has failed to establish a strong presence in Chilean society and counter Chinese Communist Party narratives.

In Season 6, Episode 1 of GTI Insights, Ben Sando interviews Maksym Skrypchenko, president of the Transatlantic Dialogue Center and an expert in Ukrainian security. In the years since Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s civil defense has evolved to feature software tools, robust air raid shelters, and efficient command of volunteer fighters. As Taiwan readies itself against a possible invasion from the People’s Republic of China, Ukraine’s civil defense is a more critical example than ever. 

In Season 5, Episode 5 of GTI Insights, Ben Sando interviews Tom Fraser, programs director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), on marshalling parliaments around the world to pass legislation regarding China. In the summer, IPAC held their annual summit in Taipei, with both progress on China legislation and major pushback from the Chinese Communist Party.

In Season 5, Episode 4 of GTI Insights, Ben Sando and Lillian Ellis interview Raigirdas Boruta, policy analyst at Lithuania’s Government Strategic Analysis Center (STRATA), on trends and challenges since the Lithuanian government’s 2021 pivot in diplomatic ties from China to Taiwan. Mr. Boruta shares his insight into the massive economic retaliation suffered by Lithuania, Taiwan and Western allies’ efforts to offset the damage, and how democratic governments can better manage similar pivots in the future. 

In Season 5, Episode 3 of GTI Insights, GTI Program Manager Marshall Reid and Intern Uma Baron interview Dr. Jess Marinaccio, an assistant professor of Asian Pacific Studies at California State University, Dominguez Hills. In an engaging conversation, Dr. Marinaccio shares her thoughts on the complex relationship between Taiwan and Tuvalu, the implications of the recent Tuvaluan elections, and the growing presence of China in the Pacific Islands.

In Season 5, Episode 2 of GTI Insights, GTI Program Manager Marshall Reid and Research Associate Adrienne Wu interview Cătălin Teniță, a member of the Chamber of Deputies of Romania. In a wide-ranging and timely discussion, Teniță shares his perspectives on emerging ties between Romania and Taiwan, China's influence in Southeastern Europe, and the need for democratic solidarity in the face of authoritarian aggression.

In the first episode of Season 5 of GTI Insights, GTI Program Manager Marshall Reid and Research Associate Adrienne Wu interview Kira Rudik, a member of Ukrainian Parliament, the leader of the Holos Party, and vice president of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe. In a fascinating discussion, Rudik shares her thoughts on Ukraine's resistance against the Russian invasion, Kyiv's role in the international democratic movement, and the importance of growing Ukraine-Taiwan engagement.

In this episode of GTI Insights, GTI Program Manager Marshall Reid and GTI Intern Daniela Martinez interview Dr. Stephen Nagy, a professor at the Department of Politics and International Studies at International Christian University in Tokyo. In a wide-ranging discussion, Dr. Nagy shares his perspectives on Canada's new Indo-Pacific Strategy, sub-national collaboration with Taiwan, and prospects for increased internationalization of the Taiwan Strait.

In Season 4, Episode 9 of GTI Insights, GTI Program Manager Marshall Reid and GTI Research Associate Adrienne Wu interview Ben Sando, a research fellow at Doublethink Lab and a recipient of GTI's Taiwan Scholarship. In a timely conversation, Sando shares his perspectives on China's evolving efforts to influence Taiwan's democracy, the crucial role civil society groups play in responding to these operations, and the potential for expanded international cooperation at the grassroots level.

In this episode of GTI Insights, GTI Program Manager Marshall Reid and GTI Research Associate Adrienne Wu interview Dr. Ja-Ian Chong, an associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore. In a compelling conversation, Dr. Chong shares his insights on Singapore's unique cultural, linguistic, and economic ties with Taiwan, China's mounting efforts to influence diaspora communities in Singapore, and potential future avenues for Singapore-Taiwan collaboration.

In Season 4, Episode 7 of GTI Insights, GTI Program Manager Marshall Reid and GTI Summer Intern Eric Jung interview Joshua Espeña, lecturer at the Department of Political Science and International Studies at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and Resident Fellow at International Development and Security Cooperation in Manila. In an illuminating discussion, Espeña shares his insights into the Philippines' approach to and relationship with cross-Strait tensions and the potential for future Taiwan-Philippines cooperation.

In this episode of GTI Insights, GTI Program Manager Marshall Reid and Program Associate Zoë Weaver-Lee interview Dr. Dramane Germain Thiombiano, an assistant professor at National Sun Yat-sen University. In a fascinating conversation, Dr. Dramane shares his perspectives on Taiwan's precarious position in Africa, the growing role of China on the continent, and the potential for future Taiwan-Africa engagement.

In Season 4, Episode 5 of GTI Insights, GTI Program Manager Marshall Reid and Program Associate Zoë Weaver-Lee interview Julieta Heduvan, a Paraguayan academic and foreign policy analyst. In a timely conversation, Heduvan shares her insights on Taiwan-Paraguay relations, the implications of the 2023 Paraguayan national elections, and China's efforts to pressure Paraguay.

In Season 4, Episode 4 of GTI Insights, GTI Program Manager Marshall Reid and Intern Melynn Oliver interview Dr. Satoru Nagao, a non-resident fellow at the Hudson Institute. In an expansive discussion, Dr. Nagao shares his perspectives on Japan's security policy, relations with Taiwan and the United States, and participation in regional multilateral organizations.

In this episode of GTI Insights, GTI Program Manager Marshall Reid interviews Alexandre Dayant, the deputy director of the Indo-Pacific Development Centre at the Lowy Institute. In a timely conversation, Dayant shares his perspectives on Taiwan and China's diverging approaches to the Pacific Islands, Taipei's efforts to refine its foreign aid programs, and the future of Taiwan-Pacific Islands cooperation.

In this episode of GTI Insights, GTI Program Manager Marshall Reid and Research Assistant Adrienne Wu interview Jonas Parello-Plesner, the executive director of the Alliance of Democracies Foundation. In a wide-ranging discussion, Parello-Plesner shares his insights on the impacts of the war in Ukraine for European approaches to Taiwan, growing NATO interest in the Taiwan Strait, and Taiwan's role in the community of democracies.

If you're interested in reading Jonas' newsletter from Taiwan, you can access it here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7000820383566155776/?displayConfirmation=true

In this episode GTI Insights, GTI Program Manager Marshall Reid and Program Associate Zoë Weaver-Lee interview Rasheed Griffith, a non-resident senior fellow with the Asia & Latin America Program at the Inter-American Dialogue. In a wide-ranging discussion, Griffith shares his perspectives on Taiwan's diplomatic partnerships in the Caribbean, growing Chinese investment in the region, and US efforts to push back against Beijing's influence in Caribbean states.

In Season 3, Episode 14 of GTI Insights, GTI Program Manager Marshall Reid interviews Dr. Nicola Casarini, a senior research fellow at Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI). In a wide-ranging conversation, Casarini shares his perspectives on Italy's membership in China's Belt and Road Initiative, potential policy changes under new Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and prospects for an expanded Italy-Taiwan relationship.