Dr. David Lai
Research Professor of Asian Security Studies
Area(s) of Expertise: Asian political and military affairs, especially China and Korea; democratization; comparative communism and post-communism; civil-military relations; strategic culture.
DAVID LAI is Research Professor of Asian Security Studies at the Strategic Studies Institute (SSI) of the U.S. Army War College (USAWC). Dr. Lai joined SSI in 2008. Before then, he was on the faculty of the U.S. Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Montgomery Alabama. Dr. Lai’s research and teaching interests cover U.S.-China and U.S.-Asian security relations. He has also made special contributions to the study of Chinese strategic thinking and military operational art, receiving acknowledgements from Dr. Henry Kissinger, General (U.S. Air Force Ret.) Steve Lorenz, Dr. Joseph Nye, Jr., Dr. Graham Allison, and many in the U.S. diplomatic and defense communities.
SSI books and monographs by Dr. David Lai
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Avoiding the Trap: U.S. Strategy and Policy for Competing in the Asia-Pacific Beyond the Rebalance
February 06, 2018
Edited by Dr. David Lai, Professor John F. Troxell, Mr. Frederick J. Gellert.
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The Trump administration has recently called for a free and open Indo-Pacific, essentially replacing the Obama-era “Rebalance.” This U.S. Army War College report provides prescient analysis and policy recommendations on how to proceed down the path while simultaneously managing the rise of China. -
U.S.-China Competition: Asia-Pacific Land Force Implications A U.S. Army War College Integrated Research Project in Support of U.S. Army Pacific Command and Headquarters, Department of the Army, Directorate of Strategy and Policy (HQDA G-35)
November 01, 2016
Edited by Prof. William G. Braun, III, Dr. David Lai.
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This report examines U.S.-China gray zone competition in the Asia-Pacific and the development of land force relevant recommendations to improve the U.S.’s competitive edge. -
The Chinese People's Liberation Army in 2025
July 28, 2015
Edited by Mr. Roy Kamphausen, Dr. David Lai.
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The Chinese People’s Liberation Army of 2025 is the 2014 edition of an ongoing series on the People’s Liberation Army co-published by the Strategic Studies Institute, the National Bureau of Asian Research, and the United States Pacific Command. This volume builds on previous volumes and identifies potential trajectories for PLA force modernization and mission focus, and how these potential changes could impact external actors. -
Assessing the People's Liberation Army in the Hu Jintao Era
April 22, 2014
Edited by Mr. Roy Kamphausen, Dr. David Lai, Mr. Travis Tanner.
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How has President Hu Jintao contributed to China’s military modernization? -
Asia-Pacific: A Strategic Assessment
May 28, 2013
Authored by Dr. David Lai.
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The U.S.-China power transition has become a defining factor in the Asia-Pacific, conditioning the calculation of policy among the Asia-Pacific nations. A rising China brings mixed blessings—opportunities for development, but risks for conflict. -
Learning by Doing: The PLA Trains at Home and Abroad
November 30, 2012
Edited by Mr. Roy Kamphausen, Dr. David Lai, Mr. Travis Tanner.
The papers presented in this latest volume in a series on the PLA are a timely and critical look at an evolving and expanding Chinese military and provide context for the changes we may see as the PLA continues to modernize. -
The United States and China in Power Transition
December 19, 2011
Authored by Dr. David Lai.
Historically, systematic power transitions were settled in war. Can China and the United States avoid a deadly contest and spare the world another catastrophe? What can we expect from China and the United States with respect to the future of international relations? -
Chinese Lessons from Other Peoples' Wars
November 17, 2011
Edited by Dr. Andrew Scobell, Dr. David Lai, Mr. Roy Kamphausen.
The 2010 People's Liberation Army (PLA) conference focused on the lessons learned by the PLA from the military actions and experiences of non-Chinese armed forces over the past 30 years, which the PLA can apply to its own strategic planning. -
The PLA at Home and Abroad: Assessing the Operational Capabilities of China's Military
July 06, 2010
Edited by Mr. Roy Kamphausen, Dr. David Lai, Dr. Andrew Scobell.
In 2009, the People's Republic of China, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, and the PLA Air Force celebrated their 60th anniversaries. Behind China’s economic development, the PLA parades, and the spectacular celebration fireworks, the world clearly saw an ambitious China edging its way to the center stage of international economic, political, and military affairs. However, a few other major events in the last 2 years came just in time to remind the Chinese leaders, and the world as well, that China still faced a challenging future. -
Beyond the Strait: PLA Missions other than Taiwan
April 30, 2009
Edited by Mr. Roy Kamphausen, Dr. David Lai, Dr. Andrew Scobell.
On September 26, 2008, over 70 leading experts from academia, government, the military and policy thinktanks assembled at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, to look beyond the Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA) primary focus on Taiwan and to the evolving new roles of the PLA. The conference could not have been timelier, given the PLA’s active involvement in events during 2008, including earthquake relief, counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance, space activities, and blue water naval operations. -
Learning from the Stones: A Go Approach to Mastering China's Strategic Concept, Shi
May 01, 2004
Authored by Dr. David Lai.
The author introduces a new approach to learning about the different ways of strategic thinking and interaction in Chinese culture. It is through learning the Chinese board game called go,that is a living reflection of Chinese philosophy, culture, strategic thinking, warfare, military tactics, and diplomatic bargaining. The author suggests that a little knowledge of go will take U.S. leaders a long way in understanding the essence of the Chinese way of war and diplomacy.
SSI articles, editorial, and briefs by Dr. David Lai
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Between Business and War: A Vital Choice for the United States and China
March 29, 2017
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Strategic Insights: The "U.S. Factor" in China's Problems
October 25, 2016
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Strategic Insights: If You Want Peace, Prepare for War: Reflections on China's V—Day Parade
October 05, 2015
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Strategic Insights: Should China Be Given the Benefit of the Doubt?
October 17, 2014
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A Few Questions About China's Air Defense Identification Zone and Its Aftermath
March 21, 2014
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Op-Ed: Doubts on China's "New Model for Great Power Relationship"
October 03, 2013
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Op-Ed: The Romance of Great Powers in Northeast Asia
October 23, 2012
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Busting the Myths About the North Korea Problem
February 23, 2012
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Op-Ed: China's Aircraft Carrier: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
October 27, 2011
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The Coming of Chinese Hawks
October 13, 2010
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Arms Sales to Taiwan: Enjoy the Business While It Lasts
July 06, 2010
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China's Maritime Quest
June 01, 2009