The Belt and Road Initiative's Shift in Focus

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has transitioned from its initial focus on infrastructure projects to a more militarized strategy as Xi Jinping seeks to expand China's global influence. While originally marketed as an economic venture, the BRI is increasingly being used to establish military footholds in various countries through political and economic leverage. China has started to utilize secured infrastructure investments as strategic assets for military purposes, which raises concerns about China's growing ambitions on the world stage. Michael Sobolek emphasizes that understanding this militarization is crucial for assessing the threats posed by China as it seeks to bolster its forward defense capabilities.