Energy security has long been central to national survival, economic development, and military capability. As Harold Lasswell famously suggested, international politics often reduces to the question of “who gets what oil, when and how.” Throughout the twentieth century, access to oil shaped military innovation, determined wartime outcomes, and reconfigured global power hierarchies. This paper traces the evolution of oil’s strategic role and applies this framework to a comparative analysis of China and Taiwan. Despite profound political differences, both confront the same structural imperative: securing sufficient energy to sustain growth and prepare for potential conflict. The study argues that China has pursued a coherent strategy of diversification and resilience, whereas Taiwan’s energy choices have produced structural vulnerabilities with direct implications for Cross-Strait security. The hybrid academic–policy approach adopted here provides both theoretical grounding and actionable insights for policymakers. The paper provides recommendations for Taiwan, China and foreign actors.
Read the full paper: Vol. 7, No. 6 (2026): National Security and Energy Policy: A Cross Taiwan-Strait Comparison [ENG]
Authors: Mark W. Lai, Associate Professor, and Philipp H. Fluri, Professor, WZU DIA, Kaohsiung.
* The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Euro-Atlantic Council of Slovenia.