Former US intelligence chief applauds Taiwan's shift to whole-society defense drills

Speaking remotely at the 2026 International Conference on Sea Lane Security, former U.S. Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair praised Taiwan’s recent transformation of the Han Kuang exercises into a whole-of-society defense effort. He said the shift ensures all of Taiwan’s capabilities are mobilised, enhancing deterrence and encouraging like-minded nations to intervene if needed. Blair warned that allowing Taiwan to be pressured could embolden China toward other regional states.

He called for persistent maritime surveillance and law-enforcement as China continues to send vessels into Taiwanese waters, and recommended a fresh public-diplomacy push similar to the Philippines’ approach in the South China Sea. The conference, hosted by Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council, also featured remarks from National Security Council deputy secretary-general Lii Wen urging greater international cooperation on early-warning and freedom-of-navigation operations.