Africa: Chinas Newest Stage for Great Power Competition
Abstract
China's investment, development, and growing influence in Africa has significant consequences to the United States. China competes using unrestricted warfare. Thus, investment does not guarantee sustainable growth for African countries and potentially destabilizes economies. Furthermore, this practice leaves nations vulnerable to violent extremist recruitment and criminal networks. The purpose of this study is to provide insight into Xi Jinping's Chinese Dream, Africa's role in Xi's vision, and China's use of unrestricted warfare. The underlying thesis of this study argues China's strategy in Africa effectively employs elements of UW as a means to project strategic influence in Africa by extending operational reach for its military forces and thus, threatens US security. By understanding how China uses unrestricted warfare in Africa, US military planners gain insight into the China's deliberate employment of unrestricted warfare to accomplish President Xi Jinping's grand strategy. This more comprehensive understanding of the complexity of China's investment on the continent enhances US efforts to stabilize, counter VEO emergence, and create self-reliant partners to increase regional security.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 23, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1083189
Entities
People
- Ingrid F. Bruning
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College