The world no longer accepts war as the only way to achieve the goal of defending national interests, survival and development. But on the other hand, national leaders and decision makers in many countries have increasingly turned to developing a strong army and acquire the most modern weapons in order to ensure the stability of their governments, their national security and protection for their peoples. Taiwan is no exception. Though for Taiwan to be successful in defending itself against a giant country like China, it needs tremendous resources and determination, particularly when the island nation is restricted by its diplomatic relations with countries around the world. The authors who are contributing to this volume all have backgrounds and knowledge about foreign and military issues.

The five parts in the volume give an overview of Taiwan's external security environment, the evolution of Taiwan's military strategy, military modernization and the future of its defense. The Nationalist Army under Chiang Kai-shek started to draw up military plans as soon as it landed on the island nation in 1949, first with the intention of defending itself against China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) and second with the hope of returning to the mainland in order to topple the communist regime there.

The 1950-53 Korean War provided a close cooperation between the US and Taiwan because the US wanted to stop the expansion of communism in Asia. In 1954, the US and Taiwan signed an agreement that would have the US defend Taiwan in case of attacks. But the agreement stipulated that Taiwan alone must defend the offshore islands.

Chih-heng Yang, of the Taiwan Research Institute, says that the agreement was part of Chiang Kai-shek's plans to reconquer the mainland. Chiang Ching-kuo's military strategy from 1976 to 1988, following the death of his father, suffered serious changes because of Washington's decision to grant diplomatic recognition to mainland China. Taiwan's military strategy underwent more changes and adjustments with new governments under Lee Teng-hui and Chen Shui-bian. Under Chen, the national military strategy is aimed at defending the country, modernizing the military and promoting the regional security cooperation, the author writes. Under Lee, the policy was not to challenge the mainland in military affairs. But the author says Lee was responsible for building up and developing Taiwan's armed forces in order to protect the country's democratic reforms and economic prosperity against threats from the mainland.

Damon Bristow, an editorial board member of Taiwan Defense Affairs and former member of the Royal United Services Institute in London, says Taiwan's plans to buy new weapons to modernize its armed forces are constrained by shifts of the US foreign policy and the ups and downs of US-China diplomatic ties. "Bearing in mind the importance of the US and China to Taiwan's security environment, it seems unlikely that the island will be able to break free from those constraints," he says.

But Bristow says there are areas in which Taiwan can do to significantly improve its defense against the growing threats of China and the PLA's new capabilities. Bristow says Taiwan should take advantage of its existing weapons systems and military resources rather than buy new weapons systems. Treaties existing between Washington and Taipei allow the latter to acquire new US weapons.

Denny Roy believes that the PLA's capabilities are increasing and by 2010 the Chinese armed forces will be able to impose its will upon Taiwan. He says the decision to go war against Taiwan will depend on political, economic and military considerations. But he predicts that the option of use of force will be more attractive to Chinese military leaders in 2010 than it is today.

"It would be to Taiwan's advantage to prepare for this eventuality rather than react to it after it arrives," Roy says.

The authors in this volume discuss also Washington's new strategy to place northeast Asia under a nuclear missile umbrella, which includes Japan and probably Taiwan. Beijing is strongly opposed to the idea because it considers the umbrella a threat to its security.