Andrew S. Erickson

The National Interest demonstrates once again why it is one of the go-to forums for serious policy analysts. I’m always proud to publish there, and it’s a very enjoyable experience. Here’s why: instead of stipulating slick, superficial posts, the editors encourage in-depth analysis and serious debates. They even allow for occasional Chinese characters, which is […]

Two unusually well-written articles by top journalists. Definitely worth reading if you haven’t already.
 
Jeremy Page, “Deep Threat: China’s Submarines Add Nuclear-Strike Capability, Altering Strategic Balance,” Wall Street Journal, October 24, 2014.
One Sunday morning last December, China’s defense ministry summoned military attachés from several embassies to its monolithic Beijing headquarters.
To the foreigners’ surprise, the Chinese said […]

Ronald O’Rourke, China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities—Background and Issues for Congress (Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 8 September 2014), RL33153.
Summary
China is building a modern and regionally powerful Navy with a modest but growing capability for conducting operations beyond China’s near-seas region. The question of how the United States should respond to China’s military modernization effort, including its […]

Gabriel B. Collins and Andrew S. Erickson, “Gasoline Alley: How Much Gasoline Demand Are Each Million Cars Sold in China Worth?” China SignPost™ (洞察中国) 82 (3 November 2014).

Key Takeaways:

Over the past two years, gasoline output at Sinopec and CNPC/PetroChina has surged relative to diesel fuel, reaching a new high of 0.71 barrels of gasoline produced […]

Andrew S. Erickson and Gabriel B. Collins, “Physician, Heal Thyself: Modest Expectations in Order for China’s Reforms as Third Plenum Anniversary Approaches,” China SignPost™ (洞察中国) 81 (23 October 2014).

President Xi Jinping’s vigorous promotion of new policy paths is colliding with powerful vested interests. China’s leaders appear to know what economic reforms are needed, but how, […]

NDU’s China Center has done it again! This is the very model of taking a controversial emerging topic of great importance and analyzing it systematically to yield insights that are innovative yet completely reasonable. We need less sloganeering and recycling of platitudes, and more research like this!
Christopher D. Yung and Ross Rustici with Scott Devary […]

Before I end up quoting everything from this seminal article, you simply must read it in full yourself if you haven’t already done so!
“the PRC has not built the world’s largest coast guard fleet to conduct search and rescue operations or protect the environment…. Nor would it make economic sense to invest billions of dollars… […]

Here’s a great opportunity to join a world-class research community in a prime location. Do you have years of experience in warfare analysis, excellent critical thinking skills, and a desire to work closely with the best in the field? Getting tired of a Beltway commute, and/or want to have access to the Greater Boston Area […]

Gabriel B. Collins and Andrew S. Erickson, “Energy Nationalism Goes to Sea in Asia,” in Mikkal E. Herberg, ed., Energy Security and the Asia-Pacific: Course Reader (Seattle, WA: National Bureau of Asian Research, October 2014).
The Asia-Pacific is now the center of growth in global energy and commodity demand. Driven by rapid and sustained economic development […]

Words matter. Dr. Adam Liff and I offer recommendations for avoiding the real “great power” trap by seeking a responsible reset for U.S.-China relations.
Andrew S. Erickson and Adam P. Liff, “Not-So-Empty Talk: The Danger of China’s ‘New Type of Great-Power Relations’ Slogan,” Foreign Affairs, 9 October 2014.
In uncritically signing on to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s “new type […]

An interesting interview with my respected mentor, and former Princeton dissertation committee reader and Naval War College colleague, Dr. Jonathan Pollack. Anyone who knows Jonathan knows that he always forms his own conclusions and clearly says what he thinks, without fear or favor! He was a pleasure to work for, and with, in Newport, and […]

James Bosbotinis; review of Carnes Lord and Andrew S. Erickson, eds., Rebalancing U.S. Forces: Basing and Forward Presence in the Asia-Pacific (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2014); The Naval Review (November 2014).
This is a timely book, addressing the important subject of the evolving US military footprint in the Asia-Pacific. An edited volume, it brings together contributions from […]

Dennis M. Gormley, Andrew S. Erickson, and Jingdong Yuan, “A Potent Vector: Assessing Chinese Cruise Missile Developments,” Joint Force Quarterly 75.4 (October 2014): 98-105.
The numerous, increasingly advanced cruise missiles being developed and deployed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) have largely flown under the public’s radar. This article surveys PRC cruise missile programs and assesses […]

Serious multimedia coverage from serious journalists of these important events.
“Hong Kong Democracy Protests: CRT’s Live Blog,” China Real Time Report (中国实时报), Wall Street Journal, 1 October 2014.
Welcome to China Real Time’s live feed of what’s happening as tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters take to the streets of Hong Kong.
The city-wide protests entered their fourth day […]

Information on some key actors in the current events: Leung Chun-ying, Andy Tsang, Zhang Xiaoming, Benny Tai, and Joshua Wong.
“Hong Kong Protests: Who’s Who,” China Real Time Report (中国实时报), Wall Street Journal, 30 September 2014.
The main characters in the tussle over Hong Kong democracy:
Leung Chun-ying
Hong Kong’s chief executive, 60
Mr. Leung, the son of a policeman, became Hong […]

Incredible footage! If a picture is worth 1,000 words, this clip is worth at least 10,000…
Nero Chan, “Drone Shows Thousands Filling Hong Kong Streets,” YouTube, 29 September 2014.
Thousands of demonstrators turned out in downtown Hong Kong on September 29 to support a protest over Beijing’s decision to reject calls for open nominations for the election […]

“Hong Kong Democracy Protests: CRT’s Live Blog,” China Real Time Report (中国实时报), Wall Street Journal, 29 September 2014.
Welcome to China Real Time’s live feed of what’s happening as pro-democracy protests kick off the week in Hong Kong, which was rocked over the weekend by tens of thousands of protesters massing in the streets and volleys of tear gas fired […]

“中国軍の台頭どう分析” [How to Analyze the Rise of China’s Military], 朝日新聞 [Asahi Shimbun], 26 August 2014, 10.

Thanks to Xiaoyu Pu for leading me to this prescient piece. 
David Schlesinger, Mei Fong, and Nicholas Bequelin, “Hong Kong—Now What?” A ChinaFile Conversation, 2 September 2014. 
David Schlesinger:
Hong Kong’s tragedy is that its political consciousness began to awaken precisely at the time when its leverage with China was at its lowest ebb. 
Where once China needed Hong […]