Taiwan the Bride – A Case for Interlocking Squares ( ISQ ) – November 2023
by josuter
With all the attention that the US and China are giving Taiwan, one might think that Taiwan is a bride with two suitors. This metaphor can be useful, reflecting real power in Taiwan’s position to open up new and creative options in the geopolitical sphere.
The Taiwanese are very close ethnically and linguistically to the Chinese. If Taiwan voted to join China – for whatever reason – would the US allow them to make such a move? Whatever benefits there might be to joining China must be weighed against what happened to Hong Kong. Taiwan still has a choice but it cannot wait too long to start the process.
One option is ISQ or Interlocking Squares, in which Taiwan would pick 3 or more countries to each have a small military base at least a square mile within Taiwan but along the coast where access to that base from the ocean side is unrestricted. This square is much smaller than Guantanamo which is 45 square miles. This is Taiwan’s choice and by invitation only.
This type of structure could allow the Taiwanese to invite China to help with administrative and cultural events but not allow them to take over the police or military.
Significant differences between the Guantanamo and ISQ structures keep Taiwan in the driver’s seat. Taiwan would have significant protection from those 3 or more countries. Besides the difference in size there are more nations involved and personnel might interact with the locals in a way that is impossible at Gitmo. An ISQ might participate in the local economy as a way to offset the cost. And of course each Square must have a soccer team.
What is the alternative? If Taiwan takes no initiative in creating a new security structure, they run the risk of being crushed in a war between China and the US. Millions of Taiwanese may die and destruction of the country could follow.
Priorities and Problems of an ISQ structure
Communication must be a high priority, not simply between the foreign military Squares but among the Taiwanese themselves if they are to resist single-minded bureaucrats. We may not be able to make all countries into democracies, but we can make them listen to each other. Each ISQ can facilitate this communication with radio and internet communications throughout the whole of Taiwan, or by face-to-face meetings.
When important decisions are made the question will arise “Who’s the boss?” Is it Taiwan or the total ISQ? Disciplinary problems of foreign personnel might be made by the collective ISQ. Other decisions might be made by a mix of Taiwan and one or several ISQ’s. If there are bureaucrats who seem to be engaged in a mission-creep of slowly taking over the government or police, as the Chinese did in Hong Kong, they might be identified by either Taiwan or any of the Squares. Other questions that arise could be made into a referendum and put to a vote by local or larger groups.
Questions or comments welcome.
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