Michael Hunzeker and Yuster Yu reflect on their 2025 assessment of Taiwan's cultural preparedness for a potential conflict with China.
Key facts
- •Michael Hunzeker and Yuster Yu argue that Taiwan needs cultural changes in its military and society to prepare for a contingency with China.
- •The authors state that they have not seen a major shift in the culture of Taiwan's armed forces or officer corps since 2025.
- •The authors suggest that the Lai administration has not taken serious action to address these cultural issues.
- •Taiwan currently has approximately one general or admiral for every 500 service members.
- •The authors claim Taiwan's general-to-troop ratio is more than double that of the United States.
In a follow-up to their 2025 article, authors Michael Hunzeker and Yuster Yu state that they have not observed the major cultural shifts in Taiwan's armed forces or officer corps that they previously argued were necessary for competitive readiness. The authors express concern that the administration of President Lai Ching-te has not taken significant steps to address these cultural challenges 18 months after their initial analysis.
Assessment of Military Culture
Hunzeker and Yu remain skeptical of claims regarding rapid organizational transformation within the Taiwanese military, noting that cultural reform is a long-term process. They suggest that the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense frequently announces new operational methods primarily in response to American criticism.
Proposed Reforms
The authors highlight a specific recommendation they made to President Lai Ching-te: reducing the number of generals and admirals. They note that Taiwan maintains a ratio of roughly one general or admiral for every 500 troops, which is more than twice the density found in the United States military.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by War on the Rocks.
