Hi! Welcome...

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.

12 February 2021

The China Maritime Militia Bookshelf: Latest Data, Official Statements, Fleet Estimate & Trilingual Wikipedia Entry

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, 12 February 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 […]

12 February 2021

O’Rourke’s Newest CRS Report—“U.S.-China Strategic Competition in South & East China Seas”—Latest on CCG + PAFMM & from Biden Administration

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, 8 February 2021).
If you have trouble accessing the website above, please download a cached copy here.
You can also click here to access the […]

12 February 2021

My recommendations on “Challenges from China” for “U.S.-Japan Relations: Policy Challenges for the Biden Administration”

Andrew S. Erickson, “Challenges from China” presentation on “Panel 1: National Security and Politics” at “U.S.-Japan Relations: Policy Challenges for the Biden Administration,” Zoom event sponsored by Brookings Institution and Indiana University Bloomington, 12 January 2021.
As the Biden Administration enters office, the United States, Japan, and the Indo-Pacific face difficult challenges, particularly from the People’s […]

12 February 2021

The Ryan Martinson Bookshelf: Unique Insights on China’s Maritime Policies, Forces & Operations + Coast Guard & New Law

For analysis of Chinese maritime policy and China Coast Guard development, it simply doesn’t get any better than this. Enjoy this fully updated one-stop library of my colleague Ryan Martinson’s work. It’s well worth reading all of these superb publications and interviews, even as they exceed three dozen in number!
Andrew S. Erickson, “The Ryan Martinson […]

11 February 2021

The Chinese Naval Shipbuilding Bookshelf

Andrew S. Erickson, “The Chinese Naval Shipbuilding Bookshelf,” China Analysis from Original Sources 以第一手资料研究中国, 11 February 2021.

Republished as Andrew S. Erickson, “A Guide to China’s Unprecedented Naval Shipbuilding Drive,” The Maritime Executive, 11 February 2021.

Sometime between 2015 and 2020, China’s Navy crossed a critical threshold: it fielded more battle force ships than the U.S. Navy, making it […]

10 February 2021

PLAN Force Size through 2040 (U.S. Navy Projections)—Documented Exclusively in Latest CRS Report—“China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities”

Ronald O’Rourke, China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities—Background and Issues for Congress, RL33153 (Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 27 January 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 […]

08 February 2021

O’Rourke’s New CRS Report—“U.S.-China Strategic Competition in South & East China Seas”—Offers Latest CCG + PAFMM Info & Biden Administration Statements

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, 28 January 2021).
If you have trouble accessing the website above, please download a cached copy here.
You can also click here to access the […]

02 February 2021

The Ryan Martinson Bookshelf: Unique Insights on China’s Maritime Policies, Forces & Operations + Coast Guard Reform

For analysis of Chinese maritime policy and China Coast Guard development, it simply doesn’t get any better than this. Enjoy this fully updated one-stop library of my colleague Ryan Martinson’s work. It’s well worth reading all of these superb publications and interviews, even as they exceed three dozen in number!
Andrew S. Erickson, “The Ryan Martinson […]

25 January 2021

Joseph G. Gavin, Jr. and MIT’s Contribution to Aerospace in the Apollo Era and Beyond

Andrew Sven Erickson Ph.D. (Professor of Strategy)ab, “Joseph G. Gavin, Jr. and MIT’s Contribution to Aerospace in the Apollo Era and Beyond,” Acta Astronautica, Volume 181 (April 2021): 167–89.
Highlights

Apollo 11’s semicentennial recalls the individuals and institutions behind it.
2 key contributors interacted intensively over 70 years: MIT and Joseph Gavin (’42).
Gavin led apex aerospace projects, including Grumman’s Lunar […]

20 January 2021

How President Biden Should Support The U.S.-Japan Alliance

Andrew S. Erickson, interviewed by Harry J. Kazianis, “How President Biden Should Support The U.S.-Japan Alliance,” 19FortyFive, 20 January 2021.

Republished in RealClearWorld, RealClearDefense, Defense News Newsletter, and Washington Examiner Defense Newsletter.

Editor’s Note: On this Inauguration Day, we spoke with Dr. Andrew Erickson, a professor of strategy in the U.S. Naval War College (NWC)’s China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI), […]

12 January 2021

Tune in Tonight—U.S.-Japan Relations: Policy Challenges for the Biden Administration

The 21st Century Japan Politics & Society Initiative (21JPSI) at the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, Indiana University Bloomington is hosting a special event with the Brookings Institution this evening:
“U.S.-Japan Relations: Policy Challenges for the Biden Administration” (Part 1 of 2: National security & politics)
Online expert panel (co-organized by 21JPSI & […]

10 January 2021

Inspiration in This Time

Never doubt the ability of a heroic individual to make a difference when answering the call of duty.

Officer Eugene Goodman, U.S. Capitol, 6 January 2021

07 January 2021

Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department—Persons of Interest in Unrest-Related Offenses on January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol Grounds

May 2020-January 2021 Unrest-Related Arrests and Persons of Interest
There are peaceful demonstrations in the District of Columbia on a daily basis. The same rules apply for all demonstrations in DC and we welcome anyone to our city who wants to come to exercise their First Amendment rights peacefully. The Metropolitan Police Department will work with […]

07 January 2021

FBI Seeking Information Related to Violent Activity at the U.S Capitol Building

FBI Seeking Information Related to Violent Activity
at the U.S Capitol Building
https://tips.fbi.gov/digitalmedia/aad18481a3e8f02
The FBI is seeking information that will assist in identifying individuals who are actively instigating violence in Washington, DC. The FBI is accepting tips and digital media depicting rioting and violence in the U.S. Capitol Building and surrounding area in Washington, DC, on January 6, […]

05 January 2021

CMSI China Maritime Report #12: “Sansha City in China’s South China Sea Strategy: Building a System of Administrative Control”

Zoe Haver, Sansha City in China’s South China Sea Strategy: Building a System of Administrative Control, China Maritime Report 12 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, January 2021).
China established Sansha City in 2012 to administer the bulk of its territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea. Sansha is headquartered on Woody Island. […]

01 January 2021

Start 2021 Informed! With Latest & Greatest Details on World’s Largest Navy, Coast Guard & Maritime Militia—In Today’s Edition of “Modern Chinese Maritime Forces”

Manfred Meyer (edited by Larry Bond and Chris Carlson), Modern Chinese Maritime Forces (Admiralty Trilogy Group, 1 January 2021).

“A compilation of all ships and boats of the Chinese Navy, Coast Guard, Maritime Militia and other state authorities”
In terms of ship numbers, each of China’s three sea forces is the world’s largest by a large margin. For […]

31 December 2020

A Tragedy of 2020—The Hong Kong Canary in the PRC Coal Mine

Tragedy overhangs a deadened metropolis. Under gathering clouds, the many Hong Kongers who remain face grave disappointments, setbacks, and risks. Beijing has adopted, and is implementing with swift suffocation, a popularly-opposed National Security Law that invalidates core One Country, Two Systems-promised protections. Fast eroding: some of Hong Kongers’ most cherished values and freedoms. Among the many sad losses […]

23 December 2020

Advantage At Sea: U.S. Maritime Strategy Focuses On China

Andrew S. Erickson, interviewed by Harry J. Kazianis, “Advantage At Sea: U.S. Maritime Strategy Focuses On China,” 19FortyFive, 22 December 2020.

Republished in RealClearDefense.

Editor’s Note: We recently spoke with Dr. Andrew Erickson, a professor of strategy in the U.S. Naval War College (NWC)’s China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI), to get his take on the newly released U.S. maritime strategy, Advantage […]

19 December 2020

The China Maritime Militia Bookshelf: Latest Data, Official Statements, Wikipedia Entry… & Now—Force Size!

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, 19 December 2020.

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 […]