Modernizing China’s Military

China's economic and strategic power is now large enough to require a response from its rivals, but are not yet strong enough to withstand a concerted counter-challenge.

The two countries' deadly border clash has fueled a surge of anti-China sentiment in India that will prompt Modi to take a more aggressive approach against Beijing.

Modi has signaled a willingness to use force to manage border tensions with Beijing, which would mark a dramatic shift from India’s decadeslong strategy of dialogue and deconfliction.

Washington may agree to a brief extension of the nuclear arms control treaty in an effort to draw China into a longer-term discussion about its potential inclusion.

Although China's official policy is still one of peaceful reunification with Taiwan, the island's political evolution and shifting international relations are pushing Beijing down a more coercive path.

China and the United States are not so distracted by the COVID-19 pandemic that they cannot assert strategic interests in the South China Sea.

Even if COVID-19 doesn't leave personnel ill (or worse), measures to contain and respond to such outbreaks can still leave militaries less equipped to manage other emerging security threats.