Chinas Use of Power and Implications for the United States Military
Abstract
Over the last two decades, with US military forces primarily focused on conflict in the Middle East, China's power projection proliferated from the Indo-Pacific region and spread Beijing's influence across all US geographic combatant command (COCOM) areas of responsibility (AORs). China's efforts put US national interests and security at risk and challenged the presence of US hard power resources in regions outside the sustainable operational reach of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). To fill the gap in the PLA's capabilities, China fostered relationships outside its immediate borders and challenged the Western-dominated status quo across the globe. An operational framework (operational close, operational deep, and strategic deep) serves to understand the proliferation of China's influence across three US COCOMs: USINDOPACOM, USCENTCOM, and USAFRICOM. Differences in Eastern and Western thought underpin the difficulty faced by US planners developing operational and strategic plans to address competition. Theoretical definitions of power resources and behaviors across a geographically board arena, coupled with an understanding of organizational culture, provide clarity to China's regionally-focused objectives to achieving a "China Dream" of national rejuvenation. US COCOMs, therefore, plan against the threat China's rising competition provokes. Encouragement of synergy amongst COCOMs, flexible and dynamic doctrinal changes, and a whole-of-government approach address challenges relevant to the US military.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 23, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1083650
Entities
People
- Donald Ii A. Schmidt
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College