Taiwan's National Security Challenges: Lessons from the Israel-Iran Conflict

The Middle East situation is becoming increasingly tense, with Israel launching a large-scale military operation against Iran to prevent its nuclear weapons development. The fierce fighting between both sides has garnered international attention. Huang Chieh-cheng, Chairman of the Chinese Strategic and Military Chess Association, emphasizes that Taiwan must confront its own national defense issues and consider how to maintain safety in future military conflicts.
He stresses that how long a war lasts is closely related to ammunition reserves, and if a war breaks out in the Middle East, the U.S. may redeploy forces from the Indo-Pacific region, threatening Taiwan's security—a significant challenge for the region.
Commenting on Taiwan's preparedness, Huang points out that military simulations need to be more rigorous, leveraging lessons from Middle Eastern conflicts to improve societal resilience. He notes Taiwanese civil defense drills are insufficient, and the public may panic when faced with actual war.
Additionally, Huang highlights that Israel's precise strikes against Iran showcase the critical importance of intelligence in modern warfare, urging Taiwan to strengthen its air defense capabilities and recognize its vulnerabilities amid changing international dynamics.
Ultimately, he warns that Taiwanese society needs to learn from Israel's experience and understand that neglecting national security issues could lead to disastrous consequences.