On Tuesday, May 12, Professor Henry Sokolski appeared on “CBS Eye on the World” with John Batchelor to discuss the controversial referendum on building a fourth nuclear power plant in Taiwan which is taking place this August.
Mr. Sokolski discussed how the People’s Liberation Army, the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) military organization, may strategically “hit” power plants like this one, whether through firearms or drone strikes, as an escalation measure in its mission to recapture Taiwan.
These nuclear power plants, which make up 10% of Taiwan’s electrical production, can cause massive evacuations if hit, even if they are not releasing radioactive toxins.
According to Mr. Sokolski, this is part of a dangerous strategic game by the CCP, which could escalate into further violence.
“If it’s necessary and if war spins out of control, it might go in directions that we have to be worried about,” said Prof. Sokolski. “We are worried about an invasion; we are selling [Taiwan] arms to prevent that.”
Prof. Sokolski suggested tightening security around these nuclear plants, especially from drone attacks, and limiting the production of “targets” like these throughout East Asia.
At the Institute, Mr. Sokolski teaches a course on U.S. Nonproliferation and Nuclear Policy. He is also Executive Director of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center and Former Deputy for Nonproliferation Policy at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.