Recent Publications

GL-6–Equipped ZTZ-96A Main Battle Tanks Highlight the PLAA’s Emphasis on Incorporating Lessons Learned from the Russia-Ukraine War for Taiwan
June 24, 2026 — Joaquin Camarena and Anthony Costanzo... MORE

CLSC Quick Take: GL-6–Equipped ZTZ-96A Main Battle Tanks Highlight the PLAA’s Emphasis on Incorporating Lessons Learned from the Russia-Ukraine War for Taiwan by Joaquin Camarena and Anthony Costanzo

China Maritime Report #55: Loading the Well Deck: The PLA Navy's Maturing Role in Projecting Joint Ground Forces
June 24, 2026 — Since 2023, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has established an annualized rhythm of loading PLA Army (PLAA) combat, engineering, and support units onto PLA Navy (PLAN) amphibious ships for international exercises. This integration signals a maturation in Chinese expeditionary logistics, providing Beijing with the proven framework to project sustained, multi-domain combat mass well beyond its regional periphery... MORE

China Maritime Report #55: Loading the Well Deck: The PLA Navy's Maturing Role in Projecting Joint Ground Forces by Joshua Arostegui

New Tanks Mark PLA Army’s Integration of System Warfare at the Tactical Level
March 23, 2026 — Joaquin Camarena... MORE

Slide for the CLSC Quick Take, New Tanks Mark PLA Army’s Integration of System Warfare at the Tactical Level

Adapting to Future Wars: The Reorganization of the PLA Army’s Special Operations Forces and the Move toward Professionalization
September 26, 2025 — The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) implemented major changes to the organization, accession, and training of its army’s special operations forces (SOF) beginning in 2017, including the creation of a 12-man SOF team and establishment of a probable national-level army-subordinate counterterrorism unit. Beginning in 2025, the PLA introduced several changes to improve officer accession and noncommissioned officer retention in its special operations community. This article assesses observed changes since 2017 designed to improve the PLA’s command and control of its army’s SOF units and to set the foundation for China’s elite forces becoming world-class by 2049... MORE

Slide for Adapting to Future Wars: The Reorganization of the PLA Army’s Special Operations Forces and the Move toward Professionalization