ChinaTalk Can China Win a War Over Taiwan? Plus Eve Online
May 7, 2021
Thomas Shugart, an adjunct senior fellow at CNAS and former US Navy officer with 25 years of experience, dives into the intricacies of the US-China military balance. He discusses China’s rapid military advancements, particularly in long-range missiles and naval expansion, which mirrors historical military build-ups. Thomas also explores insights from the virtual universe of EVE Online, highlighting how its strategic gameplay mirrors real military operations. He argues that the dynamics of teamwork and resource management in gaming could inform future combat strategies.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
China's Military Expansion
- China's military expansion includes long-range missiles, bombers, and a navy comparable to the Reagan-era buildup.
- This expansion is easily observable, even from space, and raises significant concerns.
Strategic Implications of China's Military Expansion
- China's long-range missiles and bombers allow them to project power across the Indo-Pacific, challenging U.S. bases and operations.
- This forces the U.S. to adopt dispersed and less efficient operational strategies.
China's Active Defense Strategy
- Chinese strategists often frame preemptive strikes as defensive actions, blurring the lines between offense and defense.
- This can justify kinetic responses to political or strategic moves, like Taiwan declaring independence.
