Pacific Options WG 5-14
Abstract
On 11-12 June 2014, the U.S. Army War College Center for Strategic Leadership and Development (CSLD) conducted an unclassified Strategic Seminar Wargame (SSWG) to develop insights into how the People s Republic of China (PRC) views land power1 and how the U.S. government might use American land power in the western Pacific, in conjunction with other instruments of national power, to help deter the PRC from aggressive regional actions that would adversely impact U.S. interests. The consensus view of the SSWG participants, each with expertise regarding the PRC and the Western Pacific region, is that the PRC s concept of land power differs from that of the United States military, although the PRC s concept is not codified in doctrine. The PRC has not previously defined land power within or distinct from military power, but may need to do so as the PRC s naval and air forces grow in both capabilities and capacity. To date negating a requirement to define something which they implicitly understand all of the most senior leaders of the People s Liberation Army (PLA)2 have been ground force personnel although this too may very likely change. Restoration and recognition of China s place as a regional hegemon and as a Great Power by 20503 is the overarching goal of PRC government policies. The current PRC leadership would prefer to accomplish its objectives without fighting a war, and strongly believes an incremental and creeping advance toward its goals will lead to success and is less likely to draw significant counter-action. As a result, United States Prevent, Shape, or Deter plans and activities particularly those involving force presence or posture must take into account the PRC s extended strategic timeline (as well as the PRC s own deterrence strategies vis- -vis the United States and its regional partners).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA615327
Entities
People
- James O. Kievit
Organizations
- United States Army War College