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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.

23 September 2009

Presented “Chinese Mine Warfare” at NDIA “Clambake” Conference

Andrew S. Erickson, “Chinese Mine Warfare,” presented at plenary session, “Undersea Warfare: Full Spectrum Capabilities to Preserve Freedom of the Seas,” Joint Undersea Warfare Technology Conference, U.S. Naval Submarine Base New London, CT, 23 September 2009.
After a lengthy hiatus lasting nearly six centuries, China is reemerging as a maritime power. The heart of the Beijing’s […]

22 September 2009

China’s Arrival: A Strategic Framework for a Global Relationship

Abraham Denmark and Nirav Patel, eds., China’s Arrival: A Strategic Framework for a Global Relationship (Washington, DC: Center for a New American Security, 22 September 2009).
China’s rise is one of the most significant geopoliti­cal events in modern history, rivaling America’s ascent more than a century before. Leading news­papers and blogs from around the world provide […]

16 September 2009

China’s Evolving Conventional Strategic Strike Capability

Mark Stokes, “China’s Evolving Conventional Strategic Strike Capability: the Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile Challenge to U.S. Maritime Operations in the Western Pacific and Beyond,” Occasional Paper, (Arlington, VA: Project 2049 Institute, 14 September 2009).
Project 2049 Institute Executive Director Mark Stokes has released a new study on China’s anti-ship ballistic missile challenge, which could alter the strategic […]

15 September 2009

Maritime Security Cooperation in the South China Sea Region

Andrew S. Erickson, “Maritime Security Cooperation in the South China Sea Region,” in Wu Shicun and Zou Keyuan, eds., Maritime Security in the South China Sea: Regional Implications and International Cooperation (London: Ashgate, 2009), 51-80.
The greater South China Sea region boasts increasing maritime commerce but faces growing unconventional security threats. A wide variety of bilateral and […]

12 September 2009

A National Asset in Newport

“A National Asset in Newport,” Information Dissemination, 11 September 2009.
Earlier in the week, Galrahn made us all aware of some of the pickings from the Naval War College Review‘s August 2009 edition. Having written here before about the Chinese Anti-ship Ballistic Missile Program, I was excited to see an article co-authored by Andrew Erickson and […]

08 September 2009

It Takes A Carrier: Naval Aviation and the Hybrid Fight

Rear Adm. Terry B. Kraft, U.S. Navy, “It Takes A Carrier: Naval Aviation and the Hybrid Fight,” U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings Vol. 135, No. 9 (September 2009).
Carriers still provide capability unmatched by any other weapon system in the U.S. arsenal.
One need only open a newspaper to see the incredible challenges facing our military today. An […]

08 September 2009

Using the Land to Control the Sea? Chinese Analysts Consider the Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile

Andrew S. Erickson and David D. Yang, “Using the Land to Control the Sea? Chinese Analysts Consider the Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile,” Naval War College Review 62.4 (Autumn 2009): 53–86.

This article won the Naval War College Foundation Hugh G. Nott Prize (second place) in 2009.

Established in the early 1980s, this award is presented by the President of […]

08 September 2009

China’s Antiship Ballistic Missile: Developments and Missing Links

Eric Hagt and Matthew Durnin, “China’s Antiship Ballistic Missile: Developments and Missing Links,” Naval War College Review, Vol. 62, No. 4 (Autumn 2009), pp. 87-115, A1-2.
… China’s interest in ASBM capability seems logical on the basis of its perceptions of its strategic environment and as a natural outgrowth of its robust missile program. Yet at […]

07 September 2009

Book Review: Rockets and People: Creating a Rocket Industry

Andrew S. Erickson, review of Boris Chertok, Rockets and People: Creating a Rocket Industry, Vols. 1 and 2 (Washington, DC: NASA, 2005), Air & Space Power Journal, 23.3 (Fall 2009): 124-25.
In this initial two-volume set, Boris Chertok chronicles Soviet air and space development through approximately 1960, drawing on his six decades of experience as one of […]

03 September 2009

Military Doctrine: A Reference Handbook

Albert T. Chapman III, Military Doctrine: A Reference Handbook (New York: Praeger (3 September 2009).
Military Doctrine: A Reference Handbook takes a thorough look at 20th- and 21st-century military doctrines around the world. It excerpts relevant English-language scholarly and governmental literature to paint a picture of how military doctrine has developed in recent history, what military […]

30 August 2009

The U.S. Response to China’s ASAT Test: An International Security Space Alliance for the Future

Anthony J. Mastalir, “The U.S. Response to China’s ASAT Test: An International Security Space Alliance for the Future,” Drew Paper No. 8 (Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama: Air University Press, August 2009).
Nearly three years have passed since China’s successful antisatellite (ASAT) test ushered in a new era of space competition. If U.S. civilian and military […]

26 August 2009

Here Be Dragons

Aaron L. Friedberg and Robert S. Ross, “Here Be Dragons,” The National Interest, No. 103 (September/October 2009), pp. 19-34.
Robert S. Ross and Aaron L. Friedberg Debate: Is China a Military Threat?

21 August 2009

U.S.-China Security Relations

Andrew S. Erickson and Wei He, “U.S.-China Security Relations,” in Task Force Report—U.S.-China Relations: A Roadmap for the Future, Center for Strategic and International Studies Pacific Forum Issues & Insights, Vol. 9, No. 16 (August 20, 2009), pp. 7-12, available in English and Chinese.
Over a period of two months – from June 2009 to August […]

10 August 2009

Erickson Interview on Chinese ASBM & Aircraft Carrier Development in Asahi Shimbun

編集委員 加藤洋一 [Yoichi Kato, National Security Correspondent], “[Part 2] 「中国空母は脅威ではない。ゲームチャンジャーは対艦弾道ミサイルだ」” [China’s Aircraft Carrier is Not a Threat. The ‘Game Changer’ is the Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile], “中国、海軍大国への胎動” [Part 2 in the Series “The Rise of China’s Naval Power”], 朝日新聞 Globe [Asahi Shimbun Globe], 10 August 2009.
Click here to read the full text of this interview of […]

08 August 2009

People’s Liberation Army Entries in Encyclopedia of Modern China

Andrew S. Erickson, “People’s Liberation Army: Overview,” 95-108; “People’s Liberation Army: Command Structure of the Armed Services,” 108-110; “Military Regions,” 99; and “People’s Liberation Army: Military Enterprises and Industry Since 1949,” 112-15; in David Pong, ed., Encyclopedia of Modern China, Vol. 3 (New York: Scribner, 2009).

Also available as a SINGLE FILE.
Additional information on the encyclopedia is available via WorldCat, […]

01 August 2009

Pipe Dream—China Seeks Land and Sea Energy Security

Andrew S. Erickson, “Pipe Dream—China Seeks Land and Sea Energy Security,” China Watch, Jane’s Intelligence Review 21.8 (August 2009): 54-55.
China is seeking to reduce its dependence on seaborne oil shipments. This involves the construction of new pipelines, some of which are more economically viable than others. However, this will not be sufficient to supply China’s expected growth […]

01 August 2009

CMSI ‘Red Book’ #3: “Chinese Mine Warfare: A PLA Navy ‘Assassin’s Mace’ Capability”

Andrew S. Erickson, Lyle J. Goldstein, and William S. Murray, Chinese Mine Warfare: A PLA Navy ‘Assassin’s Mace’ Capability, Naval War College China Maritime Study 3 (June 2009).

Chinese translation (simplified character version/简体版) now available: Andrew S. Erickson, Lyle J. Goldstein, and William S. Murray, “中国水雷作战: 中国海军的「杀手锏,” 美海军战院中国海事研究第3号 (2009 六月), translation by苏文启 [Su Wen-Chi], ROC Navy officer (retired).
Chinese translation (traditional character version/繁體版/繁体版) likewise available: […]

28 July 2009

Arms and Influence at Sea

Thomas J. Culora and Andrew S. Erickson, “Arms and Influence at Sea,” Foreign Affairs, July/August 2009.
To the Editor:
Robert Kaplan (“Center Stage for the Twenty-first Century,” March/April 2009) correctly underscores the Indian Ocean’s strategic importance. But in envisioning “dynamic great-power rivalry” between Beijing and New Delhi there, he is too pessimistic about the United States’ ability […]

18 July 2009

China’s Military Development: Maritime and Aerospace Dimensions

Andrew S. Erickson, “China’s Military Development: Maritime and Aerospace Dimensions,” keynote address at Defense Forum Foundation, B-339 Rayburn House Office Building, Capitol Hill, Washington, DC, 17 July 2009.

Summary of Presentation
China is achieving a rapid if uneven revolution in maritime and aerospace capabilities. These capabilities are divided among China’s Second Artillery, Air Force, Navy, General Armaments Department—and even the ground forces, to […]