The Struggle for Taiwan

A History of America, China, and the Island Caught Between

By: Sulmaan Wasif Khan

Narrated by: Austin Yang

A concise, definitive history of the precarious relationship among the US, China, and Taiwan

As tensions over Taiwan escalate, the United States and China stand on the brink of a catastrophic war. Resolving the impasse demands we understand how it began. In 1943, the Allies declared that Japanese-held Taiwan would return to China at the conclusion of World War II. The Chinese civil war led to a change of plans. The Communist Party came to power in China and the defeated Nationalist leader, Chiang Kai-shek, fled to Taiwan, where he was afforded US protection. The specter of conflict has loomed ever since.

In The Struggle for Taiwan, Sulmaan Wasif Khan offers the first comprehensive history of the triangular relationship between the United States, China, and Taiwan, exploring America’s ambivalent commitment to Taiwan’s defense, China’s bitterness about the separation, and Taiwan’s impressive transformation into a flourishing democracy. War is not inevitable, Khan shows, but to avoid it, decision-makers must heed the lessons of the past.

From the White Terror to the Taiwan Straits Crises, from the normalization of Sino-American relations to Trump-era rising tensions, The Struggle for Taiwan charts the paths to our present predicament to show what futures might be possible.

Critic reviews

“Khan recounts Taiwan’s story in a way that shows the importance of understanding the context of the conflict.”—Kirkus

“In its depth of research, its command of the field, and its assured, fast-moving pace, The Struggle for Taiwan is an extraordinary book.”—Paul Kennedy, author of The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers

“At a moment of extreme tension between the US and its largest global competitor, Sulmaan Khan has once again produced a brilliant book about China. His superb descriptions of the fraught history of Taiwan capture the essential dilemma over its future, and his exquisite prose—worthy of a novelist—is a joy to read. If you want a single volume that crystalizes the tensions between the US, China, and Taiwan, here it is!”—Admiral James Stavridis, 16th Supreme Allied Commander of NATO

“There can be few more urgent geopolitical issues than the fate of Taiwan, yet western readers still know far too little about how this Asian island became so contentious. There could be no better guide to the Taiwan question than Sulmaan Khan, who brings deep historical and political knowledge to a highly readable account of why Taiwan has become such a flashpoint—and what may happen next.”—Rana Mitter, author of China’s Good War

Interesting history recap

Good read for insights and thought provoking regarding triangular dilemma, though not a bit drawn out.

One Perspective

I found value in this audiobook. There are more things unsaid than said, but isn't that always the case? I felt the performance was passable.

The Struggle For Taiwan

In his book "The Struggle for Taiwan: A History of America, China, and the Island Caught Between," Khan meticulously traces the events that shaped Taiwan's trajectory, from the Chinese Civil War to its present-day status as a thriving democracy. In the past, the U.S. supported Taiwan and its brutal dictator to counter Communist expansion. Now, Taiwan is a flourishing democracy that makes 90 percent of the most advanced computer chips in the world. With its timely exploration of the complex relationship between Taiwan, China, and the United States, the book sheds light on the historical roots of the current tensions. This interests anyone desiring an understanding of one of the key potential flashpoints in the world today.

Good history, limited analysis

Thorough and balanced history that hopefully examines the three corners of the relationship.. Reference to Colby”s Strategy of Denial would have significantly strengthened the strategic analysis. Worthwhile read.

Historic Basis of Taiwan as a Tinder Box for War

Excellent history of US-China-Taiwan relations and internal politics from 1943 to the present that have evolved to the current US Strategic Ambiguity policy and to Taiwan being a possible tinder box that could ignite war between China and the US. The confusing and often contradictory record of US interactions with China and Taiwan and Chinese growth in power have evolved to the current tense state of relations. China’s perceived red lines in US-Taiwan interactions and in the possibility of Taiwan declaring itself an independent country have a long history that need to be considered carefully as the US and China continue their economic, strategic and military competition.