China's Grey-Zone Strategy - Expanding Control Without War

How does China expand its influence and exert control over its neighbours without triggering open conflict?

From the disputed waters of the South China Sea to the waters and airspace around Taiwan, Beijing is increasingly using grey-zone tactics to advance its strategic objectives. These activities — involving coast guard deployments, maritime militia, military pressure and other forms of coercion — challenge regional security while remaining below the threshold of conventional warfare.

In this episode of Perspectives with Neilo, I welcome back Ray Powell (@GordianKnotRay), Director of SeaLight at Stanford University's Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, to examine China's evolving grey-zone strategy across the western Pacific.

We explore the strategic significance of the Iron Triangle in the South China Sea, how China's expanding military operations around Taiwan risk normalising increasingly coercive behaviour, and the role of the Chinese Communist Party's United Front Work Department in the Philippines. We also examine how Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro is responding to these challenges.

What is Beijing seeking to achieve through these activities? How can countries counter China's growing pressure without escalating tensions into open conflict? And what can the Philippines' experience tell us about the wider challenge facing democracies?

Ray brings his expertise in maritime security and the monitoring of grey-zone operations to a discussion about the implications for Taiwan, the Philippines and the wider Indo-Pacific.

Listen to this episode of Perspectives with Neilo for a closer look at China's grey-zone strategy — and the growing challenge of defending national sovereignty and regional security without a conventional war.

Date of Recording: October 19th, 2026
A Chinese Coast Guard ship fires a water cannon at a Philippine fishing boat in the South China Sea.
A Chinese Coast Guard ship fires a water cannon at a Philippine fishing boat in the South China Sea. (Pic courtesy of TaiSounds)


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Intro music: Trailer - Tension Trailer by ArctSound via Pixabay

China's Ethnic Unity Law - Codifying Transnational Repression

 China’s new Ethnic Unity Law raises a troubling question: how far can Beijing’s reach extend beyond China’s borders?

Under President Xi Jinping, repression of China’s ethnic and religious minorities has intensified for more than a decade. The treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, Tibetans and other minority communities has been accompanied by growing restrictions on language, culture, religion and political expression.

Now, China’s Ethnic Unity and Progress Law, which came into force on July 1st, 2026, takes that trajectory a step further.

Beijing says the law is intended to strengthen ethnic unity and create a shared national identity. Critics argue that it further institutionalises assimilation and gives the Chinese Communist Party greater control over the cultural and religious identity of China’s minorities.

But there is another significant dimension.

The law contains provisions concerning organisations and individuals outside China who are deemed to undermine ethnic unity or create ethnic division — raising concerns about its potential use as a tool of transnational repression.

So what does the new law actually mean? How does it fit into Xi Jinping’s broader policies towards China’s ethnic minorities? And what could its extraterritorial provisions mean for people outside China who speak out about human rights abuses?

In this episode, I speak with Dr David O’Brien, an Irish anthropologist who has spent years working in China and is now a lecturer at Jagiellonian University in Kraków.

We examine China’s new Ethnic Unity and Progress Law, its implications for Uyghurs, Tibetans and other ethnic minorities, the tension between the law and China’s constitutional framework, and how the legislation could further codify transnational repression.

What happens when a government attempts to extend its definition of “ethnic unity” beyond its own borders — and what does that mean for freedom of expression and human rights?


Date of Recording: September 25th, 2026.




Thumbnail shows a map of China divided into multiple independent or autonomous regions, each represented with its own flag and label. Inset is a picture of our guest on this episode - Dr David O'Brien
Thumbnail shows a map of China divided into multiple independent or autonomous regions, each represented with its own flag and label.
Map courtesy of @ManchuriaMedia . 
Inset picture of our guest, Dr David O'Brien.


DIVE DEEPER

Additional information on the topics covered in this episode:

  • OHCHR Assessment of human rights concerns in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China - landing page for pdf download, published August 31st, 2022.



Podcasts you might also like

  • The Transparency Trap - China's Closed Door Diplomacy and the Uyghur Crisis - Interview with Dr. David O'Brien (November 2025)


Audio Credits:
Intro music: Suspense by ArctSound via Pixabay
UN speech excerpts - Audio provided by the United Nations / UN Geneva Multimedia Newsroom

How Taiwan Became the Republic of Chips

 How did Taiwan go from a largely agricultural, labour-intensive economy with little semiconductor expertise to becoming one of the most important centres of chip manufacturing in the world?

That is the remarkable story explored in A Chip Odyssey, the documentary directed by Hsiao Chu-Chen.

Made over five years and featuring more than 80 interviews with people who witnessed and helped shape Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, the film traces Taiwan’s extraordinary journey — from the pioneering engineers sent overseas to acquire vital skills and knowledge, to the development of a world-leading semiconductor industry and the emergence of TSMC, the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company.

But A Chip Odyssey is about more than technology and economics. It is also a story about people, ambition, sacrifice and the transformation of Taiwan itself — and how the semiconductor industry became intertwined with Taiwan’s economic development, international position and security.

In this episode of Perspectives with Neilo, I take you to Dublin’s Savoy Cinema, where A Chip Odyssey was screened as part of Culture Night 2026.

I spoke with Evan Furlong of the Dublin School of Mandarin Chinese, Richard Casey, CEO of Primesel, Senator Gerard Craughwell, and Mark and Aoife Kelly, co-founders of Celtonn.

They share their impressions of Taiwan, their thoughts on the island’s remarkable semiconductor industry, and what they took away from A Chip Odyssey.

Their perspectives provide a fascinating look at how Taiwan’s semiconductor story is understood from Ireland — from those involved in organising the screening, to people working in technology and business, and an Irish political perspective.

From the pioneering engineers of the 1970s to TSMC and today’s global semiconductor race, this is the story of how Taiwan became the Republic of Chips — and why that story matters far beyond Taiwan.

Perspectives with Neilo — going beyond the headlines to examine how history, foreign influence and competing narratives shape modern democracies.


Date of Recording: September 18th, 2026


Centre image courtesy of TSMC 2020 Business Overview



DIVE DEEPER

Additional information on the topics covered in this episode:

  • View A Chip Odyssey on YouTube - here


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Intro music: Limitless Expanse Returns by Waveloom via Pixabay

The Tibet-Nepal Flood: Disaster, Censorship and the Search for Answers

 On August 26th, 2026, a catastrophic flash flood tore through the Tibet-Nepal border region, destroying infrastructure, devastating communities and leaving more than a thousand people dead, with thousands still missing.

But this disaster raises questions that go beyond the immediate human tragedy.

What caused the flood? How quickly did the disaster unfold? And, perhaps most importantly, could people downstream have received an earlier warning?

In this episode of Perspectives with Neilo, I examine the disaster and the growing information gap surrounding it — including China's restrictions on independent access to the Tibetan side, conflicting casualty figures, and Beijing's insistence that it has been open, transparent and timely in releasing information.

I also look at what was known about the risks before the disaster, including a May meeting between Chinese and Nepalese officials to discuss glacier and flood hazards, and the questions surrounding the sharing of information.

With China possessing extensive technological and surveillance capabilities across Tibet, and modern technology making early-warning systems increasingly possible, another question emerges:

What could have been detected? What was known? And was potentially life-saving information shared across the border?

I also examine questions surrounding infrastructure development in the region, Nepal’s relationship with China, and what we still don't know about one of the Himalayas' most devastating recent disasters.


Date of Recording: September 2nd, 2026.


The thumbnail has been divided in two halves. The part on the left has a blurred indistinguishable image with a Tibetan flag and an "Access Denied" sign signifying China's denial of access and censorship of information coming out of Tibet since the Aug 26th flood. On the right hand side there is an image of the an area hit by the floods in Nepal as some people make their way out with their belongings. A road sign says Rasuwa.
Independent reports from Tibet following the August 26th flood that hit the Tibet-Nepal border have been blocked (Left) in contrast to the openness shown by Nepal (Right).



DIVE DEEPER:


Additional information on the topics covered in this episode:


Podcasts you might also like

  • The Transparency Trap - China's Closed Door Diplomacy and the Uyghur Crisis - Interview with Dr. David O'Brien (November 2025)


Intro music: Dark Suspense Documentary by ArctSound via Pixabay

Audio transition: Sound Soul (This Logo Reveal) by Diamond_Tunes via Pixabay

Neutral. Sovereign. Secure ? - Ireland's Defence Dilemma

Ireland has maintained a policy of military neutrality for decades—but neutrality does not mean opting out of defence.

After decades of comparatively low investment, Ireland's defence capabilities now face serious gaps in areas ranging from military radar and maritime surveillance to airspace monitoring and responses to modern hybrid and drone threats. At the same time, Ireland increasingly relies on external partners for capabilities essential to its national security.

So what does that mean for Irish neutrality—and for Irish sovereignty?

If Ireland wants to remain neutral, is it prepared to invest in the capabilities needed to defend that neutrality? Or does reliance on other countries for essential security capabilities create a contradiction at the heart of Ireland's model of military neutrality?

And while NATO membership is sometimes presented as an alternative, alliance membership also comes with financial, military and political obligations.

In this episode of Perspectives with Neilo, Neil O'Sullivan speaks with Cathal Berry, Director of Public Affairs for Red Flag, former TD and former Irish Army Ranger Captain.

Recorded on the sidelines of the 2026 MacGill Summer School following a debate on Irish neutrality, Cathal discusses the consequences of decades of underinvestment in Irish defence, the vulnerabilities this has created, Ireland's dependence on external partners, and the challenges posed by an increasingly uncertain security environment.

And - can Ireland be genuinely neutral, sovereign and secure without being prepared to pay for the defence capabilities necessary to protect that independence?

Date of Recording: July 24th, 2026.


Ireland's Security Dilemma - podcast thumbnail. The background is the Irish Flag (vertical green, white and orange bars) with the text of the episode title overlayed. On the bottom left is the Perspectives with Neilo logo and opposite on the right hand side is a picture of guest Cathal Berry.
Insert Photo of Cathal Berry courtesy of Johnny Bambury,
MacGill Summer School


DIVE DEEPER:

Additional information on the topics covered in this episode:


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  • The FIMI Iceberg - Decoding Foreign Interference Threats - Interview with Eoin McNamara (April 2025)



Audio transition: Sound Soul (This Logo Reveal) by Diamond_Tunes via Pixabay

Ukraine at War - Donnacha Ó Beacháin on Russia, Drones & Aughinish

 What is life really like in Ukraine after more than four years of Russia’s full-scale invasion? And how is the war changing on the ground?

In this episode of Perspectives with Neilo, Neil O’Sullivan speaks with Professor Donnacha Ó Beacháin, (X: @DonnachaDCU) Professor of Politics at Dublin City University and author of Unfinished Empire: Russian Imperialism in Ukraine and the Near Abroad, following his recent visit to Ukraine.


Donnacha shares his observations of life in Ukraine and the mood among ordinary Ukrainians as the war continues. The discussion includes Ukraine’s increasingly important drone warfare, Russia’s ability to sustain its war effort, and the challenges facing Ukraine as the conflict enters another year.


The conversation also turns to an issue much closer to home: Ireland’s Aughinish Alumina refinery and its links to Russia.


How is the Aughinish controversy being perceived in Ukraine? What does it say about Ireland’s relationship with Russia and its commitment to supporting Ukraine? And what can Ireland and the European Union learn from how other countries have dealt with Russian demand for alumina?


We also explore the significance of China’s support for Russia, the different elements of that support and much more.


A wide-ranging conversation about Ukraine, Russia, Ireland, economic pressure, sanctions, drones and the geopolitics of the war — with a particular focus on the view from Ukraine itself.


Listen to Perspectives with Neilo for conversations that go beyond the headlines to examine how foreign influence, economic pressure and political fear shape modern democracies.


This episode was recorded on the sidelines of the 2026 MacGill Summer School in Glenties, Co. Donegal.


Date of Recording: July 24th, 2026.

The thumbnail shows Russian President Vladimir Putin on the left with Rusal owner Oleg Deripaska on the right. The background is blue and yellow in the colours of the Ukrainian flag. Lower down in the picture is a horizon outline of the Aughinish Alumina plant in Limerick in a dark red hue. Drones fly in the yellow sky above.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Rusal owner Oleg Deripaska (R)



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Sound Soul (This Logo Reveal) by Diamond_Tunes via Pixabay 

Strategic Dependency: Ireland's Aughinish Lesson

What happens when foreign investment becomes a matter of national security?

An investigation by The Irish Times in March revealed how alumina produced at Aughinish Alumina in County Limerick has been exported to Russian smelters whose aluminium has entered supply chains serving Russia's defence industry. The story has reignited debate about Ireland's relationship with strategically important foreign-owned assets, EU sanctions, and the unintended consequences of global supply chains.

In this episode of Perspectives with Neilo, Neil O'Sullivan is joined by Dr Eoin McNamara (X: @McNamara_Eoin), Postdoctoral Fellow in the Global Security and Governance Programme at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs in Helsinki, to examine what the investigation revealed—and the much bigger questions it raises for Ireland and Europe.

Together they discuss:

• The significance of the Aughinish Alumina story and why it attracted attention across Europe.

• Why alumina remains outside the current EU sanctions regime despite Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

• The difficult political, economic and moral choices facing the Irish Government.

• How authoritarian states such as Russia and China use investment, trade and critical industries to create long-term strategic dependencies.

• Why economic security has become one of the defining geopolitical challenges facing democratic countries.

• What Ireland should learn about foreign direct investment, critical infrastructure and protecting national resilience in an increasingly uncertain world.

This conversation goes beyond one refinery in County Limerick. It explores how economic relationships can become strategic leverage, why democracies often struggle to unwind these dependencies, and what policymakers must consider when balancing jobs, investment, national security and foreign policy.

If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about geopolitics, economic security, foreign influence, European affairs and Ireland's place in a changing world, subscribe to Perspectives with Neilo and share this episode with others interested in the forces shaping our future.


Date of Recording: July 3rd, 2026

The thumbnail shows a view of the Aughinish Alumina refinery as seen from Foynes in Co. Limerick. The refinery is in the distance and in the foreground is the port of Foynes with a number of small sail boats anchored in the waters of the estuary.
Aughinish Alumina Refinery as viewed from Foynes, Co. Limerick

DIVE DEEPER

Additional information on the topics covered in this episode:



Podcasts you might also like

  • The FIMI Iceberg - Decoding Foreign Interference Threats - Interview with Dr. Eoin McNamara (April 2025)



Audio Credits
Sound Soul (This Logo Reveal) by Diamond_Tunes via Pixabay 
Dreamy Downtempo Music by Tunetank via Pixabay

 

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