February Discussion Groups: Eyes on Taiwan

Commonly known as Taiwan, the name of its main island, the nation of Taiwan consists of a number of smaller nearby islands as well as the islands Quemoy and Matsu, which lie just off the coast of China’s Fujian Province. The Atlantic Monthly called Taiwan’s position in the world a geopolitical absurdity. Why? While it is a thriving democracy and economic powerhouse with a crucial place in the global supply chain, it is not recognized by its major ally, the U.S., and faces the continual threat of extinction from its neighbor, Communist China.

Read this month’s Fact Sheets and come to any of four Discussion Groups to learn more about Taiwan’s complex history and why it has become a flashpoint in the increasingly tense relations between the U.S. and China, and discuss why this little collection of islands, only slightly bigger than the State of Maryland, is so much on the minds of U.S. policy makers.

Choose from any of the meetings to attend, no matter where you live. The topic is the same at each meeting. We invite members and non-members to join in, no reservations are needed!

• Zoom – Tuesday, Feb. 14, at 7 p.m.
• In-person – Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 10:30 a.m.
  Leisure World, 3701 Rossmoor Blvd., Silver Spring
• Hybrid: In-person/Zoom – Thursday, Feb. 16, at 10 a.m.
  LWVMC Office, 15800 Crabbs Branch Way, Suite 300, Rockville
• In-person – Monday, Feb. 20, at 3 p.m.
  Riderwood, 3140 Gracefield Rd., Silver Spring. For questions, contact Ruth Sachs at [email protected].

A link for the Zoom sessions will be sent to every member before DGs are held. If you have questions or your Zoom link doesn’t arrive, please email Elaine Apter at [email protected].