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As America turns its focus elsewhere, China has been rapidly building up its military to challenge us for world dominance. How can America rise to meet this threat?
From The Federalist. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is undertaking an unprecedented military buildup aimed at challenging America and its allies, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. And, like Nazi Germany’s buildup in the 1930s, the militarization program ordered by the Chinese Communist Party isn’t simply a great power buildup — it’s a weapon in service of a deadly ideology.
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The 2024 Department of Defense China Military Power Report and recent analysis by Bill Gertz in the Washington Times reveal this buildup as part of a broader strategy by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to position itself as a global superpower. …
Missile Expansion and Strategic Modernization
China has rapidly expanded the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) arsenal, adding, that we know of, some:
- 50 new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of striking the continental U.S., for a cumulative total of 400. …
- More than 600 operational nuclear warheads, projected to surpass 1,000 by 2030. …
- China’s navy, already the largest in the world with 370 ships and submarines, is expected to grow to 435 by 2030.
Cognitive Warfare and Psychological Operations
Beyond its conventional forces, China’s adoption of “cognitive warfare” poses a significant threat. This doctrine focuses on manipulating information to undermine adversaries’ decision-making processes. Cognitive warfare features tactics right out of a sci-fi film, all enabled by powerful AI tools. For instance, deepfakes to mislead military and political leaders during crises and psychological warfare to demoralize U.S. troops and polarize society …
Questionable Timelines and Strategic Deception
The CCP’s stated military objectives include readiness for action against Taiwan by 2027, achieving strategic dominance by 2035, and fielding a world-class military by 2049, the 100th anniversary of the CCP’s victory over the Nationalists in China’s civil war. However, these timelines should be treated with skepticism. They are likely deliberate deceptions aimed at lulling adversaries into complacency or disguising China’s actual state of readiness. The pace of China’s missile expansion and cognitive warfare preparations suggests that Beijing’s capabilities likely exceed what is required for these projected milestones. …
America’s Fiscal Crisis and the Need for Budget Reform
While China accelerates its military growth, even as it faces what appears to be a weakening economy, the dire state of American finances threatens our national security. … To effectively counter China’s ambitions, the U.S. must rebuild its fleet, modernize its nuclear arsenal, expand missile defenses, and restore maritime lift capability. However, this cannot be achieved without serious budget reform and strategic cuts within the Pentagon itself. …
The Strategic Realignment Imperative
China’s military buildup and cognitive warfare strategy are clear indications of its intent to defeat the U.S. and its allies by any means necessary. Ignoring this threat or trusting Beijing’s stated timelines risks leaving the U.S. unprepared for a conflict that may arise sooner than anticipated.
To safeguard national security, the U.S. must adopt a strategy of fiscal discipline and targeted investment. Reallocating resources within the Pentagon to prioritize naval strength, nuclear deterrence, missile defense, and logistics will ensure the United States remains ready to meet the challenge posed by China. …
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(Excerpt from The Federalist. Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen (USAF))