Steve Yates speaks with Kerry Brown, professor of Chinese Studies at King’s College London and author of Why Taiwan Matters. With decades of experience as a diplomat, scholar, and author of nearly 20 books on Chinese politics, Brown breaks down the complex geopolitical puzzle of Taiwan’s past, present, and uncertain future.

Brown shares his journey from the UK to Asia, explains Taiwan’s hybrid identity, and examines how a small island became a critical player in global stability and tech supply chains. From semiconductors and democracy to China’s growing nationalism and military pressure, this conversation explores the tangled web of history, economics, and identity that makes Taiwan such a critical—and dangerous—flashpoint for the 21st century.

🧠 Key Topics:
- Taiwan’s colonial and political history
- Identity and democracy in Taiwan vs. mainland China
- The strategic importance of TSMC and semiconductors
- U.S.-China-Taiwan relations and the fragile status quo
- Why simplistic policy “solutions” miss the mark

🎧 Listen to understand why Taiwan’s future is inextricably tied to global peace, prosperity, and power.