RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Through its publications, INSS provides rigorous, forward‑looking research and analysis on critical national security issues that support the joint warfighter and inform Department of War decision‑makers.

 

Research and Commentary

Results:
Category: China

Cover page of the publication titled "China's Military Diplomacy" by Phillip C. Saunders and Melodie Ha, part of China Strategic Perspectives 19. The cover features a photograph of a formal meeting between Chinese military officials and foreign military representatives seated around a long conference table, with Chinese flags and a traditional landscape painting in the background. The bottom of the cover credits the Center for the Study of Chinese Military Affairs, part of the Institute for National Strategic Studies at National Defense University.

June 23, 2025

China's Military Diplomacy

Chinese military diplomacy serves both strategic and operational goals.

U.S. Marines with Animal Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to embark an MV-22B Osprey aircraft assigned to Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 265 (Rein.) during a quick response force rehearsal as a part of MEU Exercise, at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, May 3, 2025.

May 27, 2025

How China Could Counter U.S. Intervention in War Over Taiwan

Has Beijing found a new “assassin’s mace” to keep the U.S. military out of a fight over Taiwan?

Sea Dragons: Special Operations and Chinese Military Strategy

May 12, 2025

Sea Dragons: Special Operations and Chinese Military Strategy

Joel Wuthnow contributes to this new CSMI Red Book published by the China Maritime Studies Institute/Naval War College Press titled “Sea Dragons: Special Operations & Chinese Military Strategy.”

A map that shows the share of the port project that is owned by the Chinese government or Chinese companies and distinguishes whether the port project is located at a port that includes berths with enough depth for a naval vessel. Data is from August 2024.

May 7, 2025

China's Overseas Bases & the Transition to War, with T.X. Hammes on Midrats podcast

The People’s Republic of China continues to expand its already well-established contestation of ownership, access, and control of ports throughout the world.

Side profile of Chinese President Xi Jinping

May 6, 2025

Xi Can’t Trust His Own Military

An unending purge in China's top military ranks raises serious questions over the country's readiness for offensive war.

Cover art for the ChinaPower podcast by CSIS. A C and P are superimposed over one another with a pair of headphones around both letters. The words "ChinaPower"are written below and "CSIS" is displayed on the top right, on a red background.

March 17, 2025

China’s Quest for Military Supremacy: A Conversation with Dr. Joel Wuthnow and Dr. Phil Saunders

In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Dr. Joel Wuthnow and Dr. Phil Saunders discuss their new book, “China’s Quest for Military Supremacy.”

On 25 Feb, INSS China Center Director Dr. Phillip Saunders and Senior Research Fellow Dr. Joel Wuthnow (INSS) spoke about their new book China’s Quest for Military Supremacy on the podcast, Mapping Global China Initiative, hosted by Maria Carrai at NYU Shanghai.

March 10, 2025

China's Quest for Military Supremacy: A Conversation

On 25 Feb, INSS China Center Director Dr. Phillip Saunders and Senior Research Fellow Dr. Joel Wuthnow (INSS) spoke about their new book China’s Quest for Military Supremacy on the podcast, Mapping Global China Initiative, hosted by Maria Carrai at NYU Shanghai.

China Coast Guard vessels shoot water cannons at fishermen on 10 December 2023 in Bajo de Masinloc (also known as Scarborough Shoal), disputed territory claimed by the Philippines and China.

Nov. 26, 2024

Confronting Irregular Warfare in the South China Sea: Lessons Learned from Vietnam

"Confronting Irregular Warfare in the South China Sea" was released by the U.S. Army professional journal, Military Review. This short article by Dr. Kim Cragin, examines irregular warfare activities of the Chinese maritime militia and Vietnam's response, drawing lessons learned for the U.S. military.

An image of planet Earth from space.

Sept. 23, 2024

China's Theater-Range, Dual-Capable Delivery Systems: Integrated Deterrence and Risk Reduction Approaches to Counter a Growing Threat

China has engaged in a dramatic buildup of its nuclear forces over the past decade. While much of the attention on China’s new nuclear arsenal has focused on its development and expansion of its strategic nuclear triad, this growth has also included significant numbers of theater-range, dual-capable delivery systems. These forces are not capable of reaching the U.S. mainland but can range U.S. and allied forces and bases across strategically significant swathes of the Indo-Pacific.

An image of planet Earth from space.

Sept. 23, 2024

China's Theater-Range, Dual-Capable Delivery Systems: Integrated Deterrence and Risk Reduction Approaches to Counter a Growing Threat

China has engaged in a dramatic buildup of its nuclear forces over the past decade. While much of the attention on China’s new nuclear arsenal has focused on its development and expansion of its strategic nuclear triad, this growth has also included significant numbers of theater-range, dual-capable delivery systems. These forces are not capable of reaching the U.S. mainland but can range U.S. and allied forces and bases across strategically significant swathes of the Indo-Pacific.