The Globalist Podcast (November 30, 2023) – As Cop 28 begins in Dubai, Politico’s Suzanne Lynch discusses the controversy over the UAE’s motives for hosting the summit and what is expected to come out of it.
Also, William Yang on Taiwan’s economic ties with India, a Saudi Arabian investment fund’s purchase of a stake in Heathrow, Interpol’s centenary and why France tops our Soft Power Survey.
The Globalist Podcast (September 29, 2023) – A look ahead to the Slovakian elections with Rikard Jozwiak. Meanwhile, tensions are high in Washington as lawmakers try to avoid a shutdown and Taiwan unveils its first domestically made submarine.
Plus: we examine the Austrian far-right’s links with the Taliban, the Académie française elects a new permanent secretary and the ‘Oxford English Dictionary’ adds new words.
The Globalist Podcast (September 14, 2023) – Humanitarian efforts ramp up as the death toll from flooding in Libya rises.
Plus: a look at China’s ‘interconnected living’ plan for Taiwan, Brazil begins the first trials of pro-Bolsonaro rioters who stormed the country’s centres of power in January and a flick through today’s papers.
Video timeline: 0:00 Taiwan’s current strategy 1:38 The problem 4:15 Taiwan’s reliance on allies
In the east, Taiwan’s rugged mountain terrain also helps create a natural shield in the event of an attack. But China’s PLA activity on the island’s east has thrown that strategy into question. WSJ takes a look at how serious China’s threats to Taiwan’s east coast are and explores whether the island needs to change its defense strategy.
Although the Taiwanese live in a high-tech world, they are still firmly anchored by ancient traditions. During the course of his life, Lin Liang-tai has created many elaborately adorned wooden boats. But they’re not built to last, as they’re destined for Taiwan’s legendary Wang Ye Festival. As part of the temple ceremony to honor the goddess of the sea, a 10-meter boat is blessed, loaded with offerings and pulled through the village down to the beach.
There, it’s set alight, burning any evil spirits that might be lurking about the place. Shrimps are all the rage in Taiwan. In large halls across the entire island, shrimps can be fished out of huge tanks and put straight on the barbecue. Zhan Jia-ming runs one of these popular shrimp halls, and tips bucketloads of fresh shrimps into the tanks every hour. Oysters are a mainstay of Taiwanese cuisine, whether boiled, fried or made into oyster sauce. On the west coast, oyster farms sustain entire village communities.
In Fangyuan, we see one oyster farmer still using traditional methods to harvest his oysters. He drives ox-drawn carts onto the tidal flats, just as it has been done for generations. In the fishing village of Dongshi, several tons of oysters are harvested, opened and processed every day. Taiwan’s relations with the mainland have often been strained since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Beijing regards the island as part of its territory. Tensions have been on the rise in recent times.
Tsai Jin-lu is a committed birdwatcher. For years, he’s documented his rare bird sightings in the Aogu Wetlands Forest Park on the western coast of Taiwan. But these days, his binoculars are frequently trained on something much bigger, up in the skies above. That’s because this is where the Taiwan carries out fighter jet exercises almost every day.
The Globalist Podcast, Friday, July 28, 2023: President Putin concedes that Ukraine has intensified its counteroffensive as Moldova expels 45 Russian diplomatic staff over “unfriendly actions”.
Plus, Taiwan’s efforts to bolster its defense capabilities, updates on the Niger coup and an ode to the pleasures of skinny dipping.
The Globalist Podcast, Thursday, July 27, 2023: The Russia-Africa summit begins in St Petersburg. Also, Cambodia’s prime minister, Hun Sen, announces his resignation and the country’s first new leader since 1985.
Plus, a check-in from the Women’s World Cup and a flick through the day’s papers.
The Globalist Podcast, Friday, June 9, 2023: China enters Taiwanese airspace and Japanese waters. Is this business as usual or a serious escalation?
Plus: the EU’s “Hogwarts for ambassadors”, the latest fashion news and the White Cube gallery heads to Seoul.
The Globalist, April 12, 2023: Emmanuel Macron confronts hecklers on a state visit to the Netherlands to present his vision for Europe’s future, as his comments on Taiwan spark international outrage.
Plus: unrest in Ethiopia, the cities introducing tourism taxes and the Spanish restaurant set to reopen as a museum.
The Globalist, April 6, 2023: As Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, visits Turkey, we assess the current state of relations between the two countries? Plus: Australia’s Liberal Party opposes having an Indigenous voice in parliament, the latest tech news and unusual anti-bullying policies in Japan and South Korea.
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