Editor’s Note: This is the first of a two-part column exploring the challenges China would face in a theoretical invasion of Taiwan and the areas where Beijing has already improved its capabilities for such an ambitious military operation. The primary author, Zeke Cooper, is an Applied Geopolitics Fellow at RANE who has conducted significant research on China-Taiwan relations. We’ve assessed that China is unlikely to invade Taiwan in the next five years . However, as cross-Strait tensions rise, it is important to review the evolution of China’s information and military capabilities, a key factor in forecasting both the likelihood and outcome of any potential conflict. The below analysis is not a full assessment of China’s political will for an invasion, nor is it a full assessment of China’s military capability and capacity. Rather, it’s an exercise to test and challenge our internal assumptions and identify areas for deeper focus.