By CASI Fellow Major Josh "Soup" Campbell
This report provides an analysis of the geopolitical dynamics between the United States and China, focusing on military and strategic considerations. It emphasizes that the United States, once unmatched in its military and economic prowess compared to China, now faces a more competitive environment both regionally and globally. Under the guise of a quiet countenance, China has been systematically working towards closing the power gap by enhancing its regional military capabilities, economic influence, and international standing. This shift has led China to challenge U.S. dominance both regionally and globally in an effort to alter the existing rules-based order.
The report highlights China's strategic focus on undermining U.S. power through regional and international order-building efforts, leveraging its growing soft and hard power tools. It further ties the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) regional strategies and global ambitions with the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) regional and international efforts to shift the balance of power. It underscores the importance of the United States adapting its military strategies and technologies to maintain its influence and counter China's rising capabilities, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. The document stresses the need for the U.S. Air Force to innovate and focus on long-range, resilient military capabilities along with attritable platforms and integrating advanced technologies to address the evolving threat landscape.
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