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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.

01 July 2007

An Accessible Window into Chinese Military Thought: The Science of Military Strategy

Andrew S. Erickson, “An Accessible Window into Chinese Military Thought,” review of Peng Guangqian and Yao Youzhi, eds., The Science of Military Strategy (Beijing: Military Science Press, 2005), Naval War College Review 60.3 (Summer 2007): 133-34.
Since this book has deliberately been made accessible to an overseas audience, it is important to reflect on what message its English-language […]

29 May 2007

China’s Focus on Aircraft Carriers

Richard Halloran, “China’s Focus on Aircraft Carriers,” Real Clear Politics, 28 May 2007.
… The U.S. Navy had nearly 800 planes crash in training accidents in 1954 during the transition from propeller driven aircraft to jet aircraft, say Andrew Erickson and Andrew Wilson, who are on the faculty of the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, […]

30 April 2007

China’s Submarines

Richard Halloran, “China’s Submarines,” Real Clear Politics, 29 April 2007.
… “Submarines currently dominate China’s naval development,” say analysts Andrew Erickson and Andrew Wilson, writing in a recent US Naval War College Review. China has long been rumored to be eager to build aircraft carriers but for now, these analysts say, discussion of submarines “is much […]

20 April 2007

China’s Future Nuclear Submarine Force (CMSI Vol. 1)

Andrew S. Erickson, Lyle J. Goldstein, William S. Murray, and Andrew R. Wilson, eds., China’s Future Nuclear Submarine Force (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2007).

Kindle edition now available!
These and several other chapters are required reading for the Naval War College Strategy and Policy Department’s Senior and Intermediate Leadership Courses.
Volume cited in Wikipedia’s “Type 094 Submarine” entry.

Coauthor of:

Andrew S. […]

30 March 2007

China Cyberspace, Outerspace War Gains Impress: U.S.

Paul Eckert, “China Cyberspace, Outerspace War Gains Impress: U.S.,” Washington Post, 29 March 2007.

30 March 2007

A Statement Before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission

Andrew S. Erickson, A Statement Before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, “PLA Modernization in Traditional Warfare Capabilities” panel, “China’s Military Modernization and its Impact on the United States and the Asia-Pacific” hearing, Washington, DC, 29 March 2007, 72-78; published in 2007 Report to Congress of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, 110th Congress, 1st Session, November […]

16 March 2007

Office of Naval Intelligence Report: “China’s Navy 2007”

China’s Navy 2007 (Suitland, MD: Office of Naval Intelligence, March 2007).

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A CACHED COPY.

07 March 2007

Space as a Strategic Asset

Joan Johnson-Freese, Space as a Strategic Asset (New York: Columbia University Press, 7 March 2007).
Joan Johnson-Freese argues that the race for space weapons and the U.S. quest for exclusive or at least dominant ownership of strategic space assets have alienated the very allies that the United States needs in order to maintain its leading role […]

07 February 2007

China’s Future Nuclear Submarine Force: Insights from Chinese Writings

Andrew S. Erickson and Lyle J. Goldstein, “China’s Future Nuclear Submarine Force: Insights from Chinese Writings,” Naval War College Review 60.1 (Winter 2007): 54-79.
Cited in the following Wikipedia entries: “Nuclear Submarine,” “Submarines of the People’s Liberation Army Navy,” “Type 091 Submarine,” “Type 092 Submarine,” “Type 093 Submarine,” “Type 095 Submarine,” and “Peng Pai.”
On 26 October 2006, a Chinese […]

01 February 2007

China’s ‘Undersea Sentries’: Sea Mines Constitute Lead Element of PLA Navy’s ASW

Andrew S. Erickson, Lyle J. Goldstein, and William S. Murray, “China’s ‘Undersea Sentries’: Sea Mines Constitute Lead Element of PLA Navy’s ASW,” Undersea Warfare 9 (Winter 2007): 10-15.
Traditionally a continental power, Beijing has not wielded strong naval forces in the modern era. But this is beginning to change now and China is making rapid strides, particularly […]

01 February 2007

Book Review: Japan’s Sea Lane Security, 1940-2004: A Matter of Life and Death?

Andrew S. Erickson, review of Euan Graham, Japan’s Sea Lane Security, 1940-2004: A Matter of Life and Death? (New York: Routledge, 2006), Naval War College Review 60. 1 (Winter 2007): 153-54.
This is an exciting issue at a dynamic time: in October 2004, Japan’s Maritime Self- Defense Force (MSDF) and coast guard led Northeast Asia’s first Proliferation Security […]

15 January 2007

Combating a Truly Collective Threat: Sino-American Military Cooperation Against Avian Influenza

Andrew S. Erickson, “Combating a Truly Collective Threat: Sino-American Military Cooperation Against Avian Influenza,” Global Health Governance: The Scholarly Journal for the New Health Security Paradigm 1.1 (January 2007).
This essay seeks to increase awareness among Western scholars, analysts, and policy makers concerning both the potential danger posed by an outbreak of avian influenza, and Sino-American efforts […]

15 January 2007

Book Review: China’s Nuclear Future

Andrew S. Erickson, review of Paul J. Bolt and Albert S. Willner, eds., China’s Nuclear Future (Boulder, CO: Lynne Reinner Publishers, 2006), The China Journal 57 (January 2007): 241-43.
China’s Nuclear Future, edited by Paul J. Bolt and Albert S. Willner. Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2006. x + 221 pp. Aus$88.00/US$52.00 (hardcover).
This edited volume, with contributions from […]

29 December 2006

White Paper—China’s National Defense in 2006

China’s National Defense in 2006
Issued by the Information Office of the State Council
People’s Republic of China
December 29, 2006
Preface
I. The Security Environment
II. National Defense Policy
III. China’s Leadership and Administration System for National Defense
IV. The People’s Liberation Army
V. People’s Armed Police Force
VI. National Defense Mobilization and Reserve Force
VII. Border and Coastal Defense
VIII. Science, Technology and Industry for […]

01 December 2006

Hoping for the Best, Preparing for the Worst: China’s Response to U.S. Hegemony

Andrew S. Erickson and Lyle J. Goldstein, “Hoping for the Best, Preparing for the Worst: China’s Response to U.S. Hegemony,” Journal of Strategic Studies 29.6 (December 2006): 955-86.
Keywords: Chinese military, US defense policy, hegemony, US-China relations

Required reading for the Naval War College Joint Military Operations Department’s Joint Land, Air, and Sea Simulation (JLASS) Fall Elective (FE) 535A.

In the post-Cold War […]

01 November 2006

A Place and a Base: Guam and the American Presence in East Asia

Andrew S. Erickson and Justin Mikolay, “A Place and a Base: Guam and the American Presence in East Asia,” in Carnes Lord, ed., Reposturing the Force: U.S. Overseas Presence in the Twenty-first Century, Naval War College Newport Paper 26 (2006), 65-93.
Rising threats to American national security in East Asia coincide with growing uncertainty concerning the future of […]

11 October 2006

How Should Asia Prepare for the Next Great Pandemic?

Andrew S. Erickson, “How Should Asia Prepare for the Next Great Pandemic?,” participated in panel discussion, Asia Society, New York, NY, 10 October 2006.
On October 10, 2006, the Asia Society and Pfizer, Inc. co-sponsored a panel discussion at the Asia Society headquarters in New York City: “How Should Asia Prepare for the Next Great Pandemic.” […]

01 October 2006

China’s Aircraft Carrier Dilemma

Andrew S. Erickson and Andrew R. Wilson, “China’s Aircraft Carrier Dilemma,” Naval War College Review 59.4 (Autumn 2006): 13–45.

This article won the Naval War College Foundation Hugh G. Nott Prize (first place) in 2006.

Established in the early 1980s, this award is presented by the President of the Naval War College to the authors of the best […]

01 October 2006

Maritime Geostrategy and the Development of the Chinese Navy in the Early 21st Century

Andrew S. Erickson and Lyle J. Goldstein, [Xu Qi], “21世纪初海上地缘战略与中国海军的发展” [Maritime Geostrategy and the Development of the Chinese Navy in the Early 21st Century], 中国军事科学 [China Military Science] (Vol. 17, No. 4) 2004, pp. 75-81, Naval War College Review 59.4 (Autumn 2006): 46-67.
This article, published in 2004 in China’s most prestigious military journal, China Military Science, merits […]