#Japan #Tokyo #Ukraine War #US-China Relations #Taiwan Crisis

Exploring the Lessons of the Ukraine War

The Ukraine conflict has emerged as a crucial case study for global security dynamics, particularly when considering possible future tensions in Taiwan. On May 15, 2025, Interbooks Publishing will release a thought-provoking new title entitled 'Aspects of a New War: Lessons from the Ukraine War and the Fate of US-China Confrontation'. This book seeks to analyze how the implications from the Ukraine war might shape the military strategies and diplomatic relations concerning the potential Taiwan crisis.

The volume is a timely exploration of the evolving concept of 'new wars' as suggested by various defense studies, with insights compiled by experts in military strategy and regional studies. A recent article in the Yomiuri Shimbun highlights how this modern warfare paradigm encompasses both cutting-edge technologies like AI and drones, alongside traditional tactics such as trench warfare and urban combat. The authors argue that in a scenario involving Taiwan, ensuring 'resilience' could be pivotal in determining outcomes.

Focus on Key Themes

In 'Aspects of a New War', the authors delve into several critical themes surrounding US-China-Taiwan relations:

1. Current Strategies and Ukrainian Lessons: What strategies are China, Taiwan, and the United States considering, and how has the Ukraine War influenced these approaches?
2. Likelihood of a Taiwan Crisis: What factors should be considered when examining the probability of conflict over Taiwan?
3. Factors Influencing Outcomes: What domains and means are essential in shaping the results of a 'new war' scenario centered on Taiwan?

The insights provided in this book are crucial not just for policymakers but also for anyone keen on understanding the broader implications on security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region, which includes vital considerations for Japan’s national security policy.

Chapter Overview

The book is organized as follows:

• - Introduction
• - Chapter 1: Lessons from the Ukraine War for the People's Liberation Army, focusing on implications for Taiwan.
• - Chapter 2: Future Air Warfare Projections by China - learning from the Ukraine conflict.
• - Chapter 3: Taiwan's Military Strategy and Defense Preparations - enhancing resilience against invasion.
• - Chapter 4: Contemporary Warfare and Nuclear Shadows - a comparative study of nuclear deterrents in the Ukraine War and potential Taiwan tensions.
• - Chapter 5: Assessing the US's Indirect Involvement Model in Ukraine and its military applicability to Taiwan.
• - Chapter 6: Executing Strategies to Counter China and the Deployment of US Military Concepts in the Western Pacific.
• - Conclusion

About the Authors

The book is compiled by two key experts:

• - Shigeo Kikuchi: Director of Policy Research, specializing in US military strategies and military history. He has authored important works analyzing military doctrines in context with recent US operations.
• - Yasuyuki Sugiura: Senior Researcher within the Regional Research Department focusing on contemporary Chinese political diplomacy and defense policy. His previous publications discuss the strategic developments of the Chinese military and its implications on Sino-Japanese relations.

This in-depth analysis is essential reading as nations across the globe ponder the strategic lessons to be learned from the ongoing tensions between the US and China, particularly through the lens of the recent conflicts in Ukraine. It promises to provide an indispensable framework for understanding the complexities of modern warfare in the context of international relations, especially as it pertains to Taiwan's security and the Indo-Pacific region at large.

For those interested in exploring the pressing security concerns of our time, 'Aspects of a New War' will be available for purchase on May 15, 2025, priced at 3,520 yen.