China's Overseas Bases & the Transition to War, with T.X. Hammes-on Midrats
geography, business, empire
The People’s Republic of China continues to expand its already well-established contestation of ownership, access, and control of ports throughout the world.
They have done this in parallel with building the world’s largest navy and a diverse set of military capabilities clearly designed with one purpose—defeating the U.S. military in the Indo-Pacific.
Returning to Midrats for the full hour to discuss this and related topics is T. X. Hammes.
T.X. is a distinguished research fellow at the Center for Strategic Research, National Defense University. He served 30 years in the U.S. Marine Corps.
You can listen here or at the Spotify widget below.
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Summary
In this conversation, Sal, Mark, and T.X. Hammes discuss the implications of China's global expansion, particularly its military strategy and naval capabilities. They explore how China is leveraging its control over ports and logistics to challenge U.S. dominance in the Indo-Pacific. The discussion also delves into operational planning assumptions for potential conflict with China, the historical context of long wars, and the challenges facing U.S. military readiness. Innovative solutions for naval warfare, the importance of economic exhaustion and sea control, and the role of mines in modern warfare are also examined. The conversation concludes with thoughts on the future of military technology and the potential for leveraging civilian resources in military operations.
Takeaways
China's global expansion poses significant challenges to U.S. interests.
The U.S. Navy must adapt to China's growing naval capabilities.
China's unconventional use of ports can disrupt global trade.
Long wars are historically common between healthy powers.
U.S. military readiness is not sufficient for a prolonged conflict.
Innovative solutions like missile barges could enhance naval warfare.
Economic exhaustion is a critical factor in long-term conflicts.
Mines could play a crucial role in modern naval strategy.
The focus should shift from platforms to payloads in military planning.
Leveraging civilian resources can enhance military capabilities.
Chapters
00:00: Introduction to China's Global Expansion
02:36: China's Naval Capabilities and Strategic Ports
10:42: Planning Assumptions for Potential Conflict
21:29: Control of the Sea and Economic Exhaustion
30:26: Utilizing Merchant Ships in Warfare
33:27: Investing in Future Military Technologies
35:44: Innovative Solutions for Pacific Defense
40:11: The Role of Unmanned Systems in Modern Warfare
42:57: Lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War
44:59: Adapting Combined Arms for Modern Conflicts
48:44: The Importance of Flexibility in Naval Operations
53:10: Building a Resilient Merchant Fleet
55:57: Exploring New Strategies for Warfare
01:00:50: Future Directions in Military Strategy
The Battle of Coral Sea started 83 years ago today...
And, here we are, talking about trying to keep the sea lines of communication in the same region open against a potential foe which took the time to treat the history seriously.
CDR Salamander, I am a paid subscriber. So my outline below hopefully will reach a wide audience. Your article stirs a real problerm for the US. The goals and strategy and battle plans are not well defined. We know that a potential WESTPAC engagement with China will be a lose/lose situation. They are in their 'home court'. Our 7th Fleet and 13th Air Force are minor compared to their growing strength (and the the US military doesn't have much reinforcement prospects from the West Coast or the East Coast). Forget about the Pentagon pronouncements that the Chinese have inexperienced crews . That is immaterial. The Germans in WWII had the best Army tanks (Tiger I and II and Panther) but to pit a hundred German superior tanks against a thousand inferior Soviet T-32 tanks was no contest. The Soviets won hands down. We are facing the same conundrum in WESTPAC. The Chinese Communists will easily defeat the US forces in WESTPAC if it comes to a hot war. Forget about Taiwan. That is what the press focuses on. The real contest is that the Chiense want to get the US military forces out of WESTPAC. That simple. Prepare for a major military engagement in WESTPAC to defeat the US based forces (Guam, Okinawa, Japan) and the North Korean forces will attack the South while the US forces are distracted, eliminating the US Army there. How can I be the only one seeing this???? r/Karl