The relationship between China and Taiwan is more stable in 2009 than it has been years; at the same time, the cross-strait military balance is shifting in ways that are problematic for Taiwan's defense. This volume examines the changing China-Taiwan political dynamic, evaluates key aspects of the cross-strait military balance, and considers how Taiwan might be successfully defended against a Chinese invasion attempt.

Introduction -- Changing cross-strait political dynamics -- Missiles over the strait: China's short-range ballistic missile force -- Assessing the air war -- The ultimate roll of the dice: a Chinese invasion of Taiwan -- Implications, conclusions, and considerations -- Appendix: Missile attacks on economic targets on Taiwan.