The greater powers are struggling to win warsBy Emanuele ScimiaIn a renewed era of great-power competition, major powers are struggling to win wars against weaker opponents. Underdogs Ukraine and Iran are avoiding complete defeat by masterfully leveraging military and economic asymmetries. If Taiwan could survive a surprise first strike, it could replicate the asymmetric tactics used by Ukraine and Iran to counter Chinese aggression. China is also a major exporter of refined oil products, with annual exports of US$22 billion last year. Disrupting China’s global trade and scaring its commercial partners is a strategy to gain time.

Source: Taipei Times April 08, 2026 18:02 UTC