With the Middle East primed for a conflagration, American policy-makers must recognize two realities. First, the United States is embroiled in a major Eurasian rimland war, one that must be fought and won to preserve American power. Second, the benefits of fighting forward — and fighting limited small wars rather than …
Hamas’ use of small commercial-grade drones, generally classified by the Federal Aviation Administration as Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS), should come as no surprise to those interested in national security. The terrorists employed Chinese-made SUAS to take out sensors along Israel’s Gaza security fence and later dropped a Russian-model grenade on an …
The U.S. and China are in tension over Taiwan. But this is not a legal antagonism, founded on some poor understanding of Taiwan’s status. It is instead a strategic antagonism over mutually conflicting long-term political, military and economic objectives. The Sino-American relationship hinges on the status of Taiwan as articulated in the 1970s. The …
A Guarantee to China on Taiwan Would Be Pointless Continue Reading >>
Like all dictatorships, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leadership presents itself as strong, secure, popular, in total control — and entitled to rule. Yet beneath this image (one that all too many foreigners often fall for), there’s a paranoia that the protective façade might collapse and leave the CCP exposed. …
The Chinese Communist Party Is Afraid of Its Own Citizens Continue Reading >>
It has been nearly 15 years since the Chinese started moving in on Japan’s Senkaku Islands. Chinese pressure is indeed troublesome, but for now, it’s manageable – even if the Japan Coast Guard and Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) are overstretched. The Japanese have patiently dealt with near-daily aggression and pressure from Chinese naval, coast guard, maritime …
Escalation in the Senkaku Islands? It’s China’s Choice Continue Reading >>
The US has strategic interests in Taiwan, in part because of its geopolitical location in the center of the First Island Chain; in part because it is a bulwark against a potentially expansionist China, a country with multiple territorial claims over many islands in the region that belong to other …
An Industrial Tripwire Approach for Saving Taiwan Continue Reading >>
How does a great power get itself defeated? Sometimes it does too much – as in America’s 20-year effort to turn Afghanistan and Iraq into countries more to its liking. And sometimes it does too little – as is happening in the Central Pacific. That is where Chinese influence has gradually eroded …
COFA Renewals Key to US Defense of Pacific Continue Reading >>
During his recent visit to China, Secretary of State Antony Blinken repeatedly asked his hosts to set up a military-to-military crisis communications hotline. They declined. USINDOPACOM commander, Admiral John Aquilino complained earlier this year that the Chinese were ignoring his requests to establish direct communications channels with the Chinese military People’s Liberation Army (PLA) regional commands. And Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was rebuffed when he …
The Chinese Military Won’t Talk To the US ー So What? Continue Reading >>
On May 9, Russia’s annual Victory Day celebration, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un praised Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war effort in Ukraine. This is the latest sign of the nations’ strengthening ties, following the White House’s March 30 announcement that the Kremlin is once again seeking to trade food and other supplies …
Will Russia Commit to North Korea Connections? Continue Reading >>
A confrontation in the Indo-Pacific between China and Taiwan would have a ground component. Taiwanese forces—ideally aided by American counterparts—would have to resist an amphibious-airborne assault by the People’s Liberation Army. Prevailing in such an engagement would require the ability to hit targets on mainland China to shatter the country’s …
Old-Fashioned Weapons Are a Key to Taiwan’s Defense Continue Reading >>
