Taiwan just did something it hadn't done in 24 years.
It brought back anti-communist classes.
For its military graduates.
Not as symbolism. Not as nostalgia.
As strategy.
The last time these classes existed, Nokia ruled phones and George W. Bush was in his first term.
They were quietly retired in 2002 — renamed to the softer "patriotic education."
Turns out, soft doesn't cut it anymore.
As of this weekend, Taiwan is tracking a record 110+ Chinese military and Coast Guard ships wrapped around the first island chain.
That's the arc from Japan → Taiwan → the Philippines → Borneo.
Basically, a maritime lasso.
Joseph Wu, Taiwan's National Security Council chief, called it plainly:
👉 "A clear sign of expansionism."
And on Saturday, China's Coast Guard opened a brand-new patrol off Taiwan's east coast — waters Taipei says Beijing has zero jurisdiction over.
Taiwan's defence ministry says fresh military academy grads will now sit through lectures from:
The stated goal, in the ministry's own words:
"Why we fight, and for whom we fight."
And this line hits harder:
"Establish a clear awareness of friend and foe."
President Lai Ching-te set the tone just days ago at a military graduation.
He warned cadets about Chinese spying, infiltration, and the slow squeeze of influence operations.
Guard democracy. Oppose communism. Know who your enemy is.
This isn't Cold War cosplay.
It's a democracy hardening its spine.
Because China has never renounced the use of force to take Taiwan.
Its military circles the island almost daily now.
The first island chain isn't just geography.
It's the wall that keeps the Pacific… Pacific.
Japan's PM Sanae Takaichi recently said the quiet part loud — a Chinese move on Taiwan would be a red line for Tokyo too.
So when Taiwan reopens a curriculum it shelved a quarter-century ago, it's not just about textbooks.
It's a message.
To Beijing. To Washington. To its own soldiers.
⚡ The era of ambiguity is over.
Taiwan is naming the threat out loud again — and teaching the next generation of officers to do the same.
That's all for now!
