China’s military power

[nerdgirl 0]

As the subjects of China’s percentage of the US foreign debt, its standing army, and the relation to the US politics/economics frequently arise in threads here, some might be interested in the DoD’s latest annual report to Congress on the Military Power of the People’s Republic of China. Impact of environmental issues are included. Lots of data, maps, charts, and acronyms. What did you curl up in bed to read last night?

One of the criticisms that I (& others) have made with the report is that it doesn’t present comparative analysis of capabilities and expenditures (toward stuff) of PRC and the US. I.e., so they can do “X” … is that meaningful? Aka the “So what, who cares?” test.

There’s an ongoing 'argument' that roughly breaks down Air Force & Navy vs Army & Marines w/r/t whether the future of US national security threats are likely to be a ‘Cold War’-esque peer competitor [Read: China] for which the US needs to invest in tankers, ships, and satellites, or are are the principal adversaries likely to be found in asymmetric/counterinsurgency/unconventional warfare situations [Read: Afghanistan, Taliban/AQ, Iraq, AQI] in which the US needs ground forces, special forces, and those largely charged with executing stability operations [warning: 7.5MB file; summary/commentary/smaller file here].

My thinking is that it’s going to be both the “Dark Empires” (i.e., the worst neo-con vision of China and oil/gas-wealthy Russia) and the “1000 Points of Grayness”-style al Qa’eda in Iraq/“Annoying States” (failing states, i.e., Afghanistan, Somalia) ... as well as what I call the “Radical Game Changers” – hyper-empowered terrorists (e.g., Fifth Generation Warfare +).

Bill Mertz write-up, focusing on Chinese nuc aspect, from the Washington Times.

VR/Marg

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As the subjects of China’s percentage of the US foreign debt, its standing army, and the relation to the US politics/economics frequently arise in threads here, some might be interested in the DoD’s latest annual report to Congress on the Military Power of the People’s Republic of China. Impact of environmental issues are included. Lots of data, maps, charts, and acronyms. What did you curl up in bed to read last night?

I bet this was a near instant cure for insomnia....

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One of the criticisms that I (& others) have made with the report is that it doesn’t present comparative analysis of capabilities and expenditures (toward stuff) of PRC and the US. I.e., so they can do “X” … is that meaningful? Aka the “So what, who cares?” test.

It doesn't need the comparison. It does state the goals, and perspective on current versus future abilities. Distant extension of power is not part of their current capability, but it is part of the "informatized war" fighting goal over the next one to two decades.

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There’s an ongoing 'argument' that roughly breaks down....... likely to be found in asymmetric/counterinsurgency/unconventional warfare situations

And that appears to the doctrine while their strategic goals are being pursued:

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“[A] strong enemy with absolute superiority is
certainly not without weakness… [O]ur military
preparations need to be more directly aimed at
finding tactics to exploit the weaknesses of a
strong enemy.” Liberation Army Daily (1999).

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My thinking is that it’s going to be both the “Dark Empires” (i.e., the worst neo-con vision of China and oil/gas-wealthy Russia)

China more so than Russia, Russia is spending its money faster than it makes it, and the change in leadership does not guarantee continued stability. This week's Economist has a pretty good overview.

You're pretty tuned in.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[PLFXpert 0]

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i don't think anyone here has a more fitting user namethan you

Yea, but then she goes and says toward "stuff" which is like so un-nerdy.

I've read up on the Chinese military, but I certainly didn't curl up in bed with it last night.

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.