Shaping a Secure Future -- An Assessment of U.S.-China Policy

Abstract

The development and maintenance of an amicable U.S.-China relationship in the next 5 to 10 years is critical to U.S. national security. U.S. policies toward China will have a significant influence on future U.S. national military strategy. The predominant view expressed by defense planners and other Bush administration strategists is that China may be our next near-peer military confrontation. Alternatively, if China were to become our strategic partner rather than our strategic competitor, the United States might be able to shape its defense structure for 21st century threats without engaging in an arms race with China. This project analyzes two critical issues facing the United States' relationship with China -- the Taiwan issue and China's military modernization initiatives -- and presents alternative U.S. policy options regarding these issues. The author concludes that a change in policy direction may help to steer the United States away from a path of military confrontation with China.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 15, 2006
Accession Number
ADA448574

Entities

People

  • Brian D. Maas

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Economic Systems
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Foreign Relations
  • Globalization
  • Governments
  • Intergovernmental Organizations
  • International Law
  • International Organizations
  • Law
  • Military Science
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Treaties
  • United States
  • War Colleges

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Asian Economic Studies
  • Strategic Security Studies