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You are here: Home / Press Room / Letters and Publications / Op-ed: China’s military mishaps don’t add up to strategic weakness

November 15, 2024

Op-ed: China’s military mishaps don’t add up to strategic weakness

Research Analyst Shawn Rostker wrote an op-ed in Asia Times about how U.S. policymakers can use Chinese military setbacks as an opportunity for dialogue.

From waterlogged missiles to a sinking submarine, recent reports about China’s military setbacks have fueled speculation about the readiness and strength of its military forces.

While these developments highlight real challenges within China’s defense sector, it would be a mistake to allow them to distract US policymakers from the bigger security picture.

These difficulties present a critical opportunity for the United States to engage with China in ways that reduce risks and improve relations rather than reinforce current assumptions. 

China’s nuclear arsenal continues to grow, and its strategic intentions remain opaque. Rather than fixating on temporary challenges or internal dysfunctions within China’s military and defense sector, the United States must stay focused on the long-term goals of reducing nuclear risks and improving the US-China relationship. Read more

Posted in: Asia, Center in the News, China, Letters and Publications, Nuclear Security, Press Room, Shawn Rostker

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