PUBLICATIONS

Through its publications, INSS aims to provide expert insights, cutting-edge research, and innovative solutions that contribute to shaping the national security discourse and preparing the next generation of leaders in the field.

 

Publications

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Category: Center for the Study of Chinese Military Affairs

image of the Earth with text super imposed on it, Implications of a PRC Shift to a Launch-on-Warning Nuclear Posture

Nov. 21, 2025

Implications of a PRC Shift to a Launch-on-Warning Nuclear Posture

This Defense Threat Reduction Agency study assesses the prospects and implications of China’s adoption of a launch-on-warning (LOW) posture for U.S. national security objectives. It evaluates China’s ability to adopt a LOW posture, identifies the key design decisions, examines what a Chinese LOW posture might look like, and assesses the implications and identifies potential mitigation measures.

Cover of China Strategic Perspectives 20

Sept. 15, 2025

Taming the Hegemon: Chinese Thinking on Countering U.S. Military Intervention in Asia

This report assesses recent Chinese thinking on countering U.S. intervention in Asia, specifically in a Taiwan contingency.

Soldiers loading sea mines during a military exercise in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Sept. 15, 2025

The Greatest Danger in the Taiwan Strait

Dr. Joel Wuthnow writes a piece for Foreign Affairs on how a war between China and Taiwan could result from an accident or miscalculation that spirals out of control.

Left map: Titled "All Senior Military Leader Engagements with Africa". Countries are shaded in green by number of senior leader visits (1–27). South Africa and Sudan have the highest with 27 visits each, followed by Zambia (16), Angola (15), and Tanzania (15). Other countries show smaller numbers, ranging from 1 to 13. Right map: Titled "CMC Vice Chair Travel to Africa". Countries are shaded in light to dark green by number of visits (1–2). Tanzania has the most with 2 visits, while Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique each have 1. Most other countries are gray (no visits).

Aug. 20, 2025

China’s Military Diplomacy in Africa

This article shows another application for regional researchers, analysts, and policymakers. Specifically, it uses the database to explore some specific aspects of the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA’s) evolving engagement in Africa.

Cover art for the podcast 'School of War with Aaron MacLean,' featuring two soldiers in combat. One soldier is standing and pressing a rifle down on a soldier lying on the ground, both wearing military helmets and uniforms. The background is a solid blue, with the title in large white letters at the top.

Aug. 13, 2025

INSS China Center Researchers join School of War Podcast

INSS China Center Director Dr. Phillip Saunders and Senior Research Fellow Dr. Joel Wuthnow are interviewed discussing their new book China’s Quest for Military Supremacy on the latest School of War podcast.

Four adults pose inside a museum or exhibition space in front of large framed images of Xi Jinping and a military parade. Two men stand together in the center for a photo, while a woman on the right takes their picture with a smartphone. Another man stands to the left holding a phone. Red Chinese characters and decorative murals with mountains and waterfalls surround the display.

Aug. 13, 2025

Dr. Joel Wuthnow quoted in NYT on challenges within China's military

On 10 August, INSS China Center Senior Research Fellow Dr. Joel Wuthnow was quoted in a New York Times story by Chris Buckley titled “Xi Looks to Tighten Grip After Scandals Shake China’s Military Elite.”

Illustration of two soldiers facing each other: a Chinese soldier on the left with a red background featuring the Chinese flag, and a U.S. soldier on the right with a blue and green background featuring the American flag. Bold text in the center reads “How to Preserve Peace.” The image is a thumbnail for a National Committee on U.S.-China Relations video discussing how the U.S. and China use deterrence to maintain peace, featuring INSS China Center Senior Research Fellow Joel Wuthnow.

Aug. 6, 2025

How the U.S. and China Use Deterrence to Preserve Peace

On 1 August 2025, INSS China Center Senior Research Fellow Joel Wuthnow appeared in a National Committee on U.S.-China Relations Faultlines video on “How the U.S. and China Use Deterrence to Preserve Peace.”

Promotional image for the "China Desk Podcast" by Federal Newswire, featuring host Steve Yates. The background is red with white and yellow text. Steve Yates is shown in a suit and tie at the bottom left. The podcast is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Aug. 6, 2025

INSS China Center Researchers join China Desk Podcast

On 5 August 2025, INSS China Center Director Phillip Saunders and Center Senior Research Fellow Joel Wuthnow appeared on the China Desk podcast with Steve Yates to discuss their book China’s Quest for Military Supremacy.

Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan meets with Vietnamese Minister of Defense Ngo Xuan Lich in Beijing, January 13, 2017.

Aug. 5, 2025

Visualizing China’s Military Diplomacy

The National Defense University (NDU) recently released a major update to its comprehensive, publicly available database tracking the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) international military-diplomatic engagements from 2002 to 2024.

Cover of podcast series by The Telegraph, "China’s military: How it went from obsolete to world-class."

July 28, 2025

China’s military: How it went from obsolete to world-class

Dr. Phillip Saunders and Dr. Joel Wuthnow join Battle Lines, The Telegraph's Defence & Foreign Affairs Podcast.