  This is a tutorial-style selective review explaining basic concepts of forced
magnetic reconnection. It is based on a celebrated model of forced reconnection
suggested by J. B. Taylor. The standard magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) theory of
this process has been pioneered by Hahm & Kulsrud (Phys. Fluids 28, 2412,
1985). Here we also discuss several more recent developments related to this
problem. These include energetics of forced reconnection, its Hall-mediated
regime, and nonlinear effects with the associated onset of the secondary
tearing (plasmoid) instability.

Plasma Physics