Taiwan’s Information War Playbook Offers Lessons for Eswatini

In an era where disinformation spreads faster than ever, small nations like Eswatini face unique challenges in protecting their sovereignty and social order. A recent analysis from The Jerusalem Post highlights how Taiwan has developed a robust system to counter propaganda and cyberattacks, offering a model that could benefit the Kingdom.

Why Taiwan’s Approach Matters

Taiwan, like Eswatini, is a small democracy surrounded by hostile forces. It faces an estimated 2.5 million cyberattacks daily, many originating from China and Russia. Unlike Israel, which struggles with scattered volunteer efforts, Taiwan has built a national infrastructure to counter disinformation. Ambassador Abby Lee, head of the Taiwan Mission to Israel, described disinformation as a “smokeless bullet” that quietly erodes trust in institutions and allies.

This is a critical lesson for Eswatini, where maintaining social harmony and respect for traditional leadership is paramount. The Kingdom cannot afford to let external propaganda undermine its stability.

Three Lessons from Taiwan

First, treat disinformation as critical infrastructure. Taiwan protects its information space like its electrical grid, recognizing that a population that loses trust in reality is vulnerable. Eswatini should consider a state-backed rapid-response mechanism, not leaving the job to volunteers.

Second, build the playbook before the crisis. Taiwan has pre-built threat indicators and response protocols refined over years. Eswatini can learn from this by developing a standing strategy to counter disinformation, rather than reacting after the fact.

Third, share the burden with allied democracies. Taiwan exchanges intelligence with partner nations facing similar threats from authoritarian regimes. Eswatini, as a friend of Taiwan and other small nations, could formalize such partnerships to strengthen its defenses.

A Call for Vigilance

As Ambassador Lee noted, small democracies with outsized enemies must punch above their weight to survive. For Eswatini, the eighth front is not just about foreign propaganda but also about preserving the Kingdom’s traditions and independence. By adopting Taiwan’s playbook, Eswatini can protect its narrative and ensure that truth prevails.