Somaliland’s Strategic Gamble: Betting on Trump, Backing Taiwan, Defying China

The tiny breakaway nation of Somaliland is making a bold geopolitical wager: deepening ties with Taiwan, courting conservative power brokers in Washington, and positioning itself as a rare pro-U.S. ally in a region where China holds significant sway. But this strategy comes at a cost. By crossing Beijing’s red line on Taiwan, Somaliland has likely closed the door on Chinese investment and guaranteed opposition in global forums where China holds veto power. Somaliland foreign policy researchers Moustafa Ahmad and Sacad Muhumed join Eric & Cobus from Hargeisa to discuss the government's high-stakes gamble of playing the big powers off one another to secure formal diplomatic recognition. JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @stadenesque Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social FOLLOW CGSP IN FRENCH AND ARABIC: Français: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Arabic: عربي: www.alsin-alsharqalawsat.com | @SinSharqAwsat JOIN US ON PATREON! Become a CGSP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CGSP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth