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Andrew S. Erickson China's rapid development is reshaping the world in all dimensions. Chinese language open sources offer insights into these critical trends. While such materials are increasing constantly in number, diversity, and sophistication, only a fraction is available in English. The analyses available here, many based on sources not previously considered outside China, are designed to help bridge that gap--and thereby increase understanding of the most dynamic great power in the international system today.

29 May 2009

Facing a New Missile Threat from China (Op-Ed)

Andrew S. Erickson, “Facing a New Missile Threat from China (Op-Ed): How the U.S. Should Respond to China’s Development of Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile Systems,” CBS News, 28 May 2009.
Authoritative Chinese military documents suggest that Beijing has taken a serious interest in anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs). U.S. government sources state consistently that Beijing is pursuing an […]

28 May 2009

BMD From the Sea – It’s Not Just for SWOs

“BMD From the Sea–It’s Not Just for SWOs,” Air Warfare, Steeljaw Scribe, 27 May 2009.
It is time for Naval Aviation to become more than interested bystanders and step up to the plate for the ballistic missile defense mission. For those who have been otherwise engaged or looking elsewhere, the cover and main article in the […]

20 May 2009

Presented “Chinese Mine Warfare” at Mine Warfare Association (MINWARA) Spring 2009 Regional Conference

Andrew S. Erickson, “Chinese Naval Mine Warfare: A PLA Navy ‘Assassin’s Mace,’” presented at Mine Warfare Association (MINWARA) Spring 2009 Regional Conference, “Mine Warfare—‘Home’ and ‘Away’ Game Challenges,” Panama City, FL, May 19, 2009.
After a lengthy hiatus lasting nearly six centuries, China is reemerging as a maritime power. The heart of the […]

11 May 2009

Indian Naval Strategy in the Twenty-first Century

James R. Holmes, Andrew C. Winner, and Toshi Yoshihara, Indian Naval Strategy in the Twenty-first Century (New York: Routledge, 11 May 2009).
This is the first academic study of India’s emerging maritime strategy, and offers a systematic analysis of the interplay between Western military thought and Indian maritime traditions.
By a quirk of historical fate, Europe […]

10 May 2009

Beyond the Strait: PLA Missions other than Taiwan

Roy Kamphausen, David Lai, and Andrew Scobell, Beyond the Strait: PLA Missions other than Taiwan (Carlisle, PA: Army War College and National Bureau of Asian Research, 30 April 2009).
While preventing independence likely remains the central aim of the PLA vis-a-vis Taiwan, Chinese foreign policy objectives worldwide are rapidly growing and diversifying. This volume analyzes the […]

01 May 2009

On the Verge of a Game-Changer

Andrew S. Erickson and David D. Yang, “On the Verge of a Game-Changer,” U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings 135.3 (May 2009): 26–32.
This article won the U.S. Naval Institute 2009 General Prize Essay Contest (Third Prize).

Almost from the earliest days of the Naval Institute, its essay contests have been one of its most important functions. On 13 June […]

25 April 2009

WTOP Radio Interview on “China’s New Nuclear Submarines”

WTOP Radio Interview with Dr. Andrew S. Erickson
“China’s New Nuclear Submarines,” on-air interview, WTOP Radio Station, Washington, DC, April 24, 2009.
Interview on  all-news formatted broadcast radio station serving the metropolitan Washington, DC area. Topics covered include Chinese submarine development, the PLA Navy’s April 2009 Fleet Review in Qingdao, the 8 March 2009 “Impeccable Incident” in […]

10 April 2009

Gunboats for China’s New ‘Grand Canals’? Probing the Intersection of Beijing’s Naval and Energy Security Policies

Andrew S. Erickson and Lyle J. Goldstein, “Gunboats for China’s New ‘Grand Canals’? Probing the Intersection of Beijing’s Naval and Energy Security Policies,” Naval War College Review 62.2 (Spring 2009): 43-76.
This article won the Naval War College Foundation Capt. Hugh G. Nott Prize (honorable mention) in 2009.
China’s seaborne energy imports have become as vital a lifeline […]

01 April 2009

Emerging Naval Rivalry in East Asia and the Indian Ocean: Implications for Australia

Leszek Buszynski, “Emerging Naval Rivalry in East Asia and the Indian Ocean: Implications for Australia,” Security Challenges, Vol. 5, No. 3 (Spring 2009), pp. 73-93.
The article identifies current trends towards naval rivalry in Australia’s northern security environment which are likely to bring instability and the danger of conflict. China, Japan, and Korea have engaged in […]

01 April 2009

International Rescue—China Looks After its Interests Abroad

Andrew S. Erickson, “International Rescue—China Looks After its Interests Abroad,” China Watch, Jane’s Intelligence Review 21.4 (April 2009): 50-52.
China’s naval deployment to the Gulf of Aden in December 2008 is an indicator of the country’s growing willingness and ability to engage in overseas operations. Such missions are likely to increase in coming years, focusing on protecting […]

05 March 2009

The Future of Chinese Deterrence Strategy

Michael S. Chase, Andrew S. Erickson, and Christopher T. Yeaw, “The Future of Chinese Deterrence Strategy,” Jamestown China Brief 9.5 (4 March 2009): 6-9.
The development of China’s nuclear and conventional missile power has been among the most impressive and most closely watched aspects of Chinese military modernization over the past two decades. During the past 20 years, the […]

04 March 2009

Observing PLA Navy Indian Ocean Operations

“Observing PLA Navy Indian Ocean Operations,” Information Dissemination, 3 March 2009.
… March 2008 Proceedings has a public article available titled Welcome China to the Fight Against Pirates by Andrew S. Erickson, Naval War College; and Lieutenant Justin D. Mikolay, U.S. Navy. As I have said many times on the blog, everything written by Andrew Erickson […]

01 March 2009

Welcome China to the Fight Against Pirates

Andrew S. Erickson and Justin D. Mikolay, “Welcome China to the Fight Against Pirates,” U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings 135.3 (March 2009): 34-41.
The Chinese deployment to the Gulf of Aden is historic and significant. The ongoing deployment of Chinese naval vessels to the troubled Gulf of Aden signals an important step in the evolution of the People’s […]

01 February 2009

Chinese Theater and Strategic Missile Force Modernization and its Implications for the United States

Michael S. Chase, Andrew S. Erickson, and Christopher Yeaw, “Chinese Theater and Strategic Missile Force Modernization and its Implications for the United States,” Journal of Strategic Studies 32.1 (February 2009): 67-114.
Keywords: China, Nuclear Strategy, Ballistic Missiles
The People’s Republic of China (PRC), no longer content with its longstanding ‘minimalist’ nuclear posture and strategy, is enhancing the striking power and survivability […]

01 February 2009

CMSI ‘Red Book’ #2: “Scouting, Signaling, and Gatekeeping: Chinese Naval Operations in Japanese Waters and the International Law Implications”

Peter A. Dutton, Scouting, Signaling, and Gatekeeping: Chinese Naval Operations in Japanese Waters and the International Law Implications, Naval War College China Maritime Study 2 (February 2009).
The Han incident was not the first (or last) incursion to cause the JMSDF to exercise its submarine-hunting and -tracking capabilities. Over the past decade, the Japanese have observed more frequent submarine operations activities […]

01 February 2009

Book Review: Entering the Dragon’s Lair: Chinese Antiaccess Strategies and Their Implications for the United States

Andrew S. Erickson, review of Roger Cliff et al., Entering the Dragon’s Lair: Chinese Antiaccess Strategies and Their Implications for the United States (Santa Monica, CA: RAND, 2007), Naval War College Review 62.1 (Winter 2009): 150-51.
This study has already attracted widespread attention from the policy community and media, for good reason. The U.S. military appears poised to […]

01 January 2009

China is Developing Big Military Space Capabilities Using Small Satellite Payloads

Craig Covault, “Size Doesn’t Matter–China is Developing Big Military Space Capabilities Using Small Satellite Payloads,” Aviation Week & Space Technology, December 22/29 2008, pp. 22-24.
… “Microsatellite production offers Beijing three major benefits: Support for national development, lucrative and geostrategically relevant foreign sales [and] potential military space control applications,” says Andrew S. Erickson, assistant professor of […]

08 December 2008

Military Diplomacy: The Future of Sino-Indian Military Relations?

Bhartendu Kumar Singh, “Military Diplomacy: The Future of Sino-Indian Military Relations?” Jamestown China Brief, Vol. 8, No. 23, 8 December 2008.
Military relations between rising powers are often caught in a conflictual cycle. Yet Sino–Indian military relations is an exception in spite of wariness on both sides of the others strategic intentions. While the two states […]

30 October 2008

Aircraft Carriers: China’s way to Great Power Status?

Major Kim Nødskov, Royal Danish Air Force (Ret.), “Aircraft Carriers: China’s way to Great Power Status?,” Royal Danish Defence College, October 2008.

This research paper on the Chinese Carrier project, which is based on open sources, addresses the Chinese efforts to acquire an aircraft carrier.
China has vital strategic interests in the South China Sea and […]