Recent Publications

"Arming Allies and Partners: How Foreign Military Sales Can Change the China Problem"
June 18, 2024 — In episode 10 of CLSC Dialogues, MAJ Brennan Deveraux, national security researcher in the Strategic Studies Institute, and Josh Arostegui, research director and chair of the China Landpower Studies Center, discuss Deveraux's recent article, "Arming Allies and Partners: How Foreign Military Sales Can Change the China Problem," in which he proposes ... ... MORE

Colloquium Brief: The Chinese People’s Liberation Army in 2025
August 27, 2014 — Mr. R. Lincoln Hines Key Insights. Domestic, external, and technological drivers of China's military modernization are examined. Three plausible scenarios for the modernization of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) that result from these drivers are explored. Implications of these futures for regional dynamics, the international system,... MORE

Op-Ed: China’s Aircraft Carrier: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
October 27, 2011 — Dr. David LaiChina test-sailed its first aircraft carrier on August 10, 2011. The maiden sail was remarkably low key, but its significance is far-reaching.China's journey to this début started in the mid-1990s when it approached Ukraine for the possibility of acquiring the half-built, but practically abandoned, Soviet aircraft carrier Varyag. The... MORE

Military Modernization and the Russian Ground Forces
June 1, 2011 — Author: Dr Rod Thornton Russia’s political leaders are currently pushing a state- and society-wide process of modernization. The Russian military, a deeply conservative institution, is being asked to accept fundamental changes that threaten the very livelihoods of those being asked to implement them. New structures can be created and new equipment... MORE

India’s Strategic Defense Transformation: Expanding Global Relationships
November 1, 2009 — Author: LTC Brian K Hedrick India’s transformation to modernize its military, obtain “strategic partnerships” with the United States and other nations, and expand its influence in the Indian Ocean and beyond includes a shift from an emphasis on the former Soviet Union as the primary supplier of defense articles to a western base of supply and an... MORE

Right Sizing the People’s Liberation Army: Exploring the Contours of China’s Military
August 1, 2007 — Author: Mr Roy Kamphausen, Dr Andrew Scobell This volume addresses how the leadership of China and the PLA view what size of PLA best meets China’s requirements. Among other things, this analytical process makes important new contributions on the question of PLA transparency, long an issue among PLA watchers. A great deal of emphasis has been put... 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

China’s Strategic Modernization: Implications for the United States
September 1, 1999 — Author: Major Mark A Stokes Conventional wisdom portrays the People's Republic of China (PRC) People's Liberation Army (PLA) as a backward continental force that will not pose a military challenge to its neighbors or to the United States well into the 21st century. PLA writings that demonstrate interest in exploiting the revolution in military... MORE

China’s Transition into the 21st Century: U.S. and PRC Perspectives
July 1, 1996 — Authors: Dr David Shambaugh, Senior Colonel Wang Zhongchun This past April the Army War College's Strategic Studies Institute held its Seventh Annual Strategy Conference. The theme, "China Into the 21st Century: Strategic Partner and . . . or Peer Competitor," was especially timely.Dr. David Shambaugh and Senior Colonel Wang Zhongchun look at China... MORE

China’s Quest for Security in the Post-Cold War World
July 1, 1996 — Author: Dr Samuel S Kim In April 1996, the Army War College's Strategic Studies Institute held its Seventh Annual Strategy Conference. This year's theme was, "China Into the 21st Century: Strategic Partner and . . . or Peer Competitor."Dr. Samuel S. Kim of Columbia University argues that, while post-Tiananmen China is a growing regional military... MORE