Understanding the China Threat

The timeline of U.S. military perception regarding China shifted around 2005 to 2008, marking the transition from viewing China as a manageable threat to recognizing it as a serious national security concern. Initially, the U.S. military believed that it could shape China's actions, but classified intelligence began to reveal a more stark reality of a rising threat. Despite this recognition, the national security narrative took nearly a decade to reflect the urgency of this situation effectively, with many senior officials from various administrations remaining unaware of China's intentions. This gap in understanding highlights the challenge in aligning military assessments with broader governmental strategies, which often lagged behind operational realities.