Andrew S. Erickson

With straightforward Army thoroughness… a fascinating interpretation of how the PLA approaches warfare, particularly with regard to its ground forces!
Chinese Tactics, ATP 7-100.3 (Arlington, VA: Headquarters, Department of the Army, 9 August 2021).
Download a cached copy here.
Click here to read information on related publications.

BACKGROUND:
Steven Aftergood, “U.S. Army Views Chinese Military Tactics,” Federation of American Scientists, 23 […]

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Timely, relevant, and predictive analysis by brilliant analyst Thomas Shugart. Best read together with (1) the pathbreaking, widely-cited article by Conor Kennedy that he mentions, and (2) the Quick Look summary of the CMSI Conference to which both superstars made critical contributions. I’ve linked all three pieces here; please scroll down to access all now!
Thomas Shugart, […]

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Andrew S. Erickson, “Tracking China’s ‘Little Blue Men’—A Comprehensive Maritime Militia Compendium,” China Analysis from Original Sources 以第一手资料研究中国, 15 August 2021.

As Coronavirus rages on, fishy things have been happening across the South and East China Seas, home to virtually all of China’s unresolved maritime disputes… Since Beijing remains far from being fully forthcoming and transparent, it is to be hoped […]

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This Library of Congress report is indispensable for policy-makers and analysts alike!

Ronald O’Rourke, U.S.-China Strategic Competition in South and East China Seas: Implications for U.S. Interests—Background and Issues for Congress, R42784 (Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 4 August 2021).
If you have trouble accessing the website above, please download a cached copy here.
You can also click here to access the […]

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Established in 2017, the Naval War College (NWC) Civilian Faculty Research Excellence Award is presented annually to the faculty member of the College who has exhibited the highest quality of achievement through research on behalf of the College over the preceding three years. This year, at Monday’s Faculty Cloister in Newport, RI, my China Maritime Studies […]

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It’s not often that an article opens up a major window into a vital, under-studied area. Leading Tibetan scholar Robert Barnett and colleagues do so by probing acutely the intersection of geopolitics with the lives of those compelled to serve in frontline positions by Party persistence. This must-read piece, like its predecessor in a two-part […]

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France’s Indo-Pacific Strategy (Paris: Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, 28 July 2021).
Click here to download a cached copy.
A summary is available here.
Click here for further background.
Read brief report on “France’s Partnerships in the Indo-Pacific (April 2021).”

REPORT CONTENT:
Section One – The Indo-Pacific: a region with polarizing tensions and significant global issues
The main principles and objectives […]

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The international community keeps a close watch on China’s security policy and its military trends. The Japanese public has been increasingly aware of the large impact of China’s rising military (and economic) power that may have a huge impact on Japanese security. China, now the second largest economy in the world, has become an essentially […]

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Grateful for the opportunity to participate in this debate on U.S.-China climate cooperation vs. competition with leading experts!
It’s based on my earlier Foreign Affairs article with longtime research colleague Gabe Collins at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
We explain why America currently can’t trust China to match its green rhetoric with coal-curtailing action—and offer the […]

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The PRC already targets Taiwan and its vicinity with numerous ballistic and cruise missile systems!
China has three hypersonic test vehicles, which may support a future hypersonic cruise missile…
…and is developing two air-launched ballistic missiles (ALBMs), one possibly nuclear.
Check out the extensive graphics, tables & data offered here!
NASIC, DIBMAC release unclassified missile assessment
By NASIC Public Affairs / […]

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Conor Kennedy, “Ramping the Strait: Quick and Dirty Solutions to Boost Amphibious Lift,” Jamestown China Brief 21.14 (16 July 2021).

Introduction
The threat of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) using military force to coerce or perhaps launch an amphibious invasion of Taiwan has received significant attention in the past year. Meanwhile, the recent commissioning of the PLA […]

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A fascinating, thought-provoking piece! It opens a critical window on past, present, and possible futures of America’s merchant marine and its manifold PRC counterpart efforts. China clearly views the commercial component of state-supported shipbuilding, transportation, and seapower as critical to comprehensive capabilities. How much less complete in its approach can America afford to be? Anyone […]

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This pithy report surveys important overarching dynamics of this brave re(new)ed era involving competition with China and Russia…
Ronald O’Rourke, Renewed Great Power Competition: Implications for Defense—Issues for Congress, R43838 (Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 8 July 2021).
If you have trouble accessing the website above, please download a cached copy here.
You can also click here to access the report […]

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Ronald O’Rourke, China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities—Background and Issues for Congress, RL33153 (Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 1 July 2021).
Having trouble accessing the website above? Please download a cached copy here!
You can also click here to access the report via the public CRS website.

In addition to his continuous incremental improvements, Ronald O’Rourke has revised this latest edition […]

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Conor M. Kennedy is a research associate at the U.S. Naval War College’s China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI). At CMSI, his research focuses on Chinese military development and maritime strategy. He has also furnished dozens of annotated translations to support the work of analysts and decision-makers. Kennedy received his B.A. in Political Science and Chinese language […]

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The gonzo world of defense journalism has long attracted some colorful characters. Gatherings at military expos offer transnational tales replete with riveting revelations… and stories of sometimes-shocking risk acceptance. Within this fascinating community, there have been few professionals with the self-discipline, purposeful dedication, and career longevity of Wendell Minnick. And I certainly do not know […]

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Andrew S. Erickson, “Info-Tech Opportunities: Data Sharing and MDA in the Indo-Pacific,” presented via Blackboard to audience across greater Indian Ocean Region for “Maritime Domain and Technology Transformations: A Workshop on Navigating Technological Applications’,” sponsored by Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies, National Defense University, 17 June 2021.
Pleased to present on […]

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Andrew S. Erickson, “China’s South China Sea Approach: Maritime Gray Zone Operations,” presentation for “Threat Assessment of the PRC South China Sea Policy,” East-West Center webinar with Indonesian Journalists via Zoom, 8 June 2021.

Honored to participate in this great event organized by Vice President and Washington Office Director Dr. Satu Limaye and his East-West Center […]

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Andrew S. Erickson, “The Andrew Rhodes Bookshelf: Charting the Indo-Pacific with Maps, History & Geostrategy,” China Analysis from Original Sources 以第一手资料研究中国, 2 July 2021.
Andrew J. Rhodes is a career civil servant who has served as an expert in Asia-Pacific affairs in a variety of analytic, advisory, and staff positions across the Department of Defense and the […]

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