A Geographical and Operational Analysis of Taiwan’s Terrain
This report investigates the geography of the Republic of China (ROC) from an operational perspective to evaluate how the terrain, islet chains, weather, and littoral areas may impact a unilateral attempt by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to achieve unification. Lead Analyst Virgile Sarda assesses the ROC’s geography, giving us a greater appreciation of how any future engagement in the Taiwan Strait may play out. Along the way, we become able to discern points at which a comparison with the Ukraine war is acceptable, and when it is unwise. The report unearths how features of geography may have significant strategic, operational, and tactical consequences, therefore having considerable influences on diplomatic postures on both sides of the strait. This report is broken down into two parts:
1. Tactical and Operational Geography: A geographical analysis of the terrain of the island of Taiwan and neighbouring ROC islands, with a focus on elevation, ruggedness, population density, arable land, littoral areas, and tides. This is coupled with a tactical and operational analysis of the implications for both parties, from an operational to a political point of view.
2. Strategic Geography: Since terrain will influence decision-makers and their options, the second section will offer a strategic analysis of the consequences for the diplomatic posture of both the PRC and the ROC as they pursue their objectives, and their strategic implications.