This policy research paper examines post-war Security Sector Reform (SSR) in Taiwan, with particular attention to the country’s approach to internal and external balancing in the face of ongoing security pressure from China.

Taiwan’s civil–military relations illustrate how the island has built an effective military as a deterrent against China and has reformulated its defense strategies to ensure civilian supremacy over the military.

Since 1949, Taiwan has undergone significant political and institutional transformation, developing mechanisms to manage civil–military relations within a democratic framework. Taiwan’s strategy of external balancing has centered on sustained security cooperation with the United States, including arms sales, training programs, and defense diplomacy.

These measures have enhanced Taiwan’s deterrence capabilities and bolster its international security profile without undermining civilian oversight.

Simultaneously, Taiwan has pursued internal balancing through investment in domestic arms production, reforms to military doctrine emphasizing asymmetric defense, and efforts to increase transparency and accountability in the defense sector. Legislative scrutiny, civil society participation, and open political debate have served as key safeguards of democratic control over the armed forces.

Taiwan’s experience demonstrates how a frontline state can develop an effective defense posture while maintaining democratic norms and avoiding militarization. The evolution of Taiwan’s civil–military relations offer important lessons for Ukraine and other states navigating post-war reconstruction or managing enduring external threats in a democratic context.