The essence of great-power military competition involving two potential adversaries is to prepare for a military contingency while doing everything to avoid such a contingency. That may sound somewhat illogical, but no one has ever said that the balance of power-related maneuvers are either straightforward or simplistic. What it means is that diplomacy will be given a high priority while preparing for a potential military conflict. That mind-boggling reality is driving the People's Republic of China and the United States military competition. They are preparing for war, while their diplomats are working diligently to avoid it.
The Evolving Contest Between the US and…
The essence of great-power military competition involving two potential adversaries is to prepare for a military contingency while doing everything to avoid such a contingency. That may sound somewhat illogical, but no one has ever said that the balance of power-related maneuvers are either straightforward or simplistic. What it means is that diplomacy will be given a high priority while preparing for a potential military conflict. That mind-boggling reality is driving the People's Republic of China and the United States military competition. They are preparing for war, while their diplomats are working diligently to avoid it.
Comments on this post are for paying subscribers