Recent Publications

U.S. National Security Implications of Chinese Involvement in Latin America
June 1, 2005 — Author: Dr R Evan Ellis Ultimately, this monograph argues that increasing Chinese engagement with Latin America will make the nation both a powerful competitor and a potential partner for the United States in the Western Hemisphere. On one hand, China with major investments in Latin America and dependence on its material flows is likely to be a... MORE

Chinese Crisis Management
November 5, 2004 — Author: Mr Andy Gudgel Over 50 experts on China and the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) gathered at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, from October 1-3, to attend the 2004 Chinese Crisis Management Conference. Cosponsored by the Heritage Foundation, American Enterprise Institute, and the U.S. Army War College, the conference participants... MORE

Civil-Military Change in China: Elites, Institutes, and Ideas After the 16th Party Congress
September 1, 2004 — Authors: Dr Andrew Scobell, Dr Larry M Wortzel In November 2002, the Chinese Communist Party held its 16th Congress and formally initiated a sweeping turnover of senior leaders in both the Party and the People's Liberation Army (PLA). The meeting heralded not merely a new set of personalities in positions of political and military power, but also... MORE

Learning from the Stones: A Go Approach to Mastering China’s Strategic Concept, Shi
May 1, 2004 — Author: Dr David Lai To help with the process of identifying those new and untested strategic concepts that merit further examination, the Strategic Studies Institute is publishing a special series called "Advancing Strategic Thought." This provides a venue--a safe haven--for creative, innovative, and experimental thinking about national security... MORE

Strategic Consequences of the Iraq War: U.S. Security Interests in Central Asia Reassessed
May 1, 2004 — Author: Dr Elizabeth Wishnick The U.S.-led war in Iraq complicates security cooperation between the United States and Central Asia at a time when other regional powers—especially Russia, China, and India—are competing for influence in the region more overtly. Concerned about the implications of the U.S. interest in "regime change" for their own... MORE

China and North Korea: From Comrades-In-Arms to Allies at Arm’s Length
March 1, 2004 — Author: Dr Andrew Scobell At first, it might not seem surprising to have a formal military alliance that has endured more than 4 decades between two communist neighbors, China and North Korea. After all, their armed forces fought shoulder-to-shoulder in the Korean War 50 years ago. However, Beijing's ties to Pyongyang have weakened considerably... MORE

After the 16th Party Congress: The Civil and the Military
October 31, 2003 — Author: Mr Andy Gudgel Over 50 experts in the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) gathered at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, from September 19-21, to attend the 2003 PLA Conference. Cosponsored by the U.S. Army War College, the Heritage Foundation, and the American Enterprise Institute, the conference was titled "After the 16th Party Congress:... MORE

The Lessons of History: The Chinese people’s Liberation Army at 75
July 1, 2003 — Authors: Ms Laurie Burkitt, Dr Andrew Scobell, Dr Larry M Wortzel With the armed forces of the People's Republic of China (PLA) celebrating its 75th anniversary on August 1, 2002, it only seemed appropriate and timely to take stock of the world's largest military. The PLA has officially been in existence for three-quarters of a century, and its... MORE

Dragon on Terrorism: Assessing China’s Tactical Gains and Strategic Losses Post-September 11
October 1, 2002 — Author: Dr Mohan Malik The U.S. relationship with China and the global war on terrorism are the two most significant strategic challenges faced by the Bush administration. Both are vital and complex; the way the administration manages them will shape American security for many years. While there is a growing literature on both key strategic issues,... MORE

Growing U.S. Security Interests in Central Asia
October 1, 2002 — Author: Dr Elizabeth Wishnick The author assesses U.S. security interests and military activities in Central Asia. She notes that strengthening the Central Asian states against terrorism and assisting their transition to stable and prosperous nations are difficult and fraught with danger. In particular, there is the risk that the U.S. military... MORE

China’s Growing Military Power: Perspectives on Security, Ballistic Missiles, and Conventional Capabilities
September 1, 2002 — Authors: Dr Andrew Scobell, Dr Larry M Wortzel This volume, comprised of papers originally presented at a conference held at Carlisle Barracks in September 2001, helps to put the Hainan Island incident in the broader context of China's strategic aspirations and its growing military capabilities. This conference's co-sponsors were the American... MORE

China and Strategic Culture
May 1, 2002 — Author: Dr Andrew Scobell The author examines the impact of strategic culture on 21st century China. He contends that the People's Republic of China's security policies and its tendency to use military force are influenced not only by elite understandings of China's own strategic tradition, but also by their understandings of the strategic cultures... MORE