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Taiwan
China
United States
Semiconductors
Geopolitics
Democracy
Technology
National Security
2045 (board Game)
Kuomintang
Digital Resilience
Mizo Games
Cybersecurity
Asymmetric Warfare
Cognitive Warfare
Drones
Democratic Progressive Party
Japan
Semiconductor Industry
Indo-Pacific

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.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes34Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentTechnology

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Artwork for Strait Forward

Latest Episodes

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... more

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 delve... more

YouTube

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 re... more

YouTube

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 blen... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Eyck Freeman
Author of Defending Taiwan, historian with focus on China and Taiwan strategy
Author, Defending Taiwan
Episode: A Strategy for Defending Taiwan
Jerry Yu
Senior Analyst at Doublethink Lab
Doublethink Lab
Episode: Defending Against PRC Doublethink & Information Manipulation
Dahyun Kim
Strategic Partnership Manager at Doublethink Lab
Doublethink Lab
Episode: Defending Against PRC Doublethink & Information Manipulation
Paul Chang
Owner of Morganhope Tea Shoppe, Taipei
Morganhope Tea Shoppe
Episode: How to Brew Taiwanese Tea
Ken Moriyasu
Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute; former Foreign Correspondent at Nikkei Asia
Hudson Institute / Nikkei Asia
Episode: Japan's Stake in the Taiwan Strait
Chris Horton
Freelance journalist based in Taipei, author of Ghost Nation
Independent journalist / author
Episode: A Ghost Nation’s Struggle for Survival
Andrea Yang
Deputy Representative from Tecro
Tecro
Episode: Why Taiwan Matters to Every U.S. City & State (Subnational Diplomacy Explained)
Clarissa Wei
Food journalist and author of Made in Taiwan
Food journalism / Made in Taiwan
Episode: How to Cook Taiwanese Cuisine
Ivy Chen
Cooking instructor in Taiwan
Ivy's Kitchen / cooking instructor
Episode: How to Cook Taiwanese Cuisine

Hosts

Channing Lee
Host focused on Taiwan geopolitics, media, and security narratives; affiliation with Special Competitive Studies Project and STRAIT FORWARD.
Libby Lange
Co-host with broad remit across topics, authorial voice on Taiwan's democracy and tech landscape; frequent collaborator with the host.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 15 ratings
  • Insightful and Timely

    Two wonderful cohosts who’ve clearly put a lot of time towards inviting top tier guests and asking insightful questions

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NatsecGuy
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Cohosts ask thoughtful, timely questions with credible guests.
High-quality guests and rigorous, context-rich discussions.
Engaging coverage of Taiwan's tech and geopolitical issues.
Thoughtful, accessible analysis that makes complex topics approachable.
Strong balance of policy, tech, and culture.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#33
Taiwan/Government
Apple Podcasts
#49
South Korea/Government
Apple Podcasts
#76
Hong Kong/Government
Apple Podcasts
#92
Singapore/Government
Apple Podcasts
#94
Sweden/Government
Apple Podcasts
#158
Japan/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

A Strategy for Defending Taiwan
Q: Should Taiwan pursue nuclear weapons?
Freeman strongly argues against Taiwan acquiring nuclear weapons, citing international nonproliferation norms, the risk of destabilization, and the likelihood of heavy deterrence by the United States and allies without nuclearization on Taiwan's side.
A Strategy for Defending Taiwan
Q: What exactly is the 'structured ambiguity' you advocate, and how does it differ from traditional ambiguity?
Structured ambiguity is about clarifying the implications and expectations of the One China policy in the modern era—keeping the policy itself intact while signaling how it should be interpreted and applied to deter coercive gray-zone actions.
A Strategy for Defending Taiwan
Q: Why did you write this book and what background did you bring to the problem?
Freeman explains the project began during the pandemic when he sought to understand the US-China balance for Taiwan and realized air/sea dynamics require a different analytic approach than land warfare, leading to a multi-disciplinary framework with colleagues to simplify the problem.
How to Brew Taiwanese Tea
Q: So how do you see tea shaping Taiwanese social life?
Tea acts as a universal social language in Taiwan, appearing in street-night markets, homes, and shops, and serving as a ritual that fosters hospitality, trust, and moments of calm that people carry back into their daily lives.
Japan's Stake in the Taiwan Strait
Q: Can you provide a quick overview of Japan-Taiwan relations and why they are so unique?
Japan and Taiwan share a democratic trajectory and deep economic and historical ties, with a forward-looking partnership that is grounded in shared interests in stability, technology, and regional prosperity, even though they do not have formal diplomatic ties. This relationship is shaped by history, proximity, and practical cooperation in tech and security, viewed through a pragmatic lens in Tokyo.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Strait Forward

What is Strait Forward about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The series centers on Taiwan's evolving role in geopolitics, technology, and culture through informed conversations with regional experts, journalists, policymakers, and technologists. Across episodes, listeners encounter deep dives into Taiwan's democracy, semiconductor dominance, energy security, civil defense, and the practical implications of cognitive warfare, subnational diplomacy, and defense innovation. The show often pairs historical context with contemporary challenges—ranging from media portrayals and culinary culture to drone tech, board games about Taiwan, and bold takes on deterrence—creating a nuanced picture of Taiwan's global significance and the forces shaping its future. A standout pattern is bringing cross-disciplinary g... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Strait Forward?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Strait Forward:

1. ChinaTalk
2. Pekingology
3. ChinaPower
4. The Foreign Affairs Interview
5. NatSec Matters

How many episodes of Strait Forward are there?

Strait Forward launched a year ago and published 34 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Strait Forward?

Recent guests on Strait Forward include:

1. Eyck Freeman
2. Jerry Yu
3. Dahyun Kim
4. Paul Chang
5. Ken Moriyasu
6. Chris Horton
7. Andrea Yang
8. Clarissa Wei

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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