The Epoch Times sat down with Elbridge A. Colby, author of the new book, Strategy of Negation: Defense of the United States in the Age of Great Power Conflict, to discuss America’s strategy to defeat China in the war with Taiwan. ..
China aims to replace the United States as the dominant power in Asia, and is rapidly gaining the means to achieve this goal. As a result, Beijing will soon be able to bid on regional military control, starting with the invasion of Taiwan. Without an effective American response, Beijing could certainly achieve its goal.
This is the premise of a new book on the watershed.Negative Strategy: US Defense in the Age of Great Power Conflict“By Elbridge A. Colby, Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Defense, who created the United States’ 2018 National Security Strategy (NSS).
The 2018 NSS has clearly moved the United States from terrorism to competition between China and the great powers. This is a complex shift of thinking for many in US defense facilities.
“I have definitely experienced a lot of institutional opposition to it,” Colby told The Epoch Times in an interview. “And we’re not there yet. There’s a huge amount of stumbling block, but there’s also a lot of progress.”
Colby said China was not widely acknowledged to pose the greatest threat to US security interests.
“That’s one of the reasons I wrote this book, not only as a statement, but also why China is a major threat and how to treat it in a military context fairly clearly and rigorously. To explain, “he said. ..
The stake cannot be higher than this. Asia accounts for 40% of world GDP and about two-thirds of world growth. In his book, Colby states that China’s rule over Asia will give Beijing the power to “exclude the United States from rational free trade and access to these wealthy regions.”
Not only is China a true competitor to the United States, but its advantage will severely undermine the United States. Ultimately, China could consolidate to “plan violent forces elsewhere, including North America.”
Colby clearly has no time to discuss America’s fate as the most powerful country in his book. Colby clearly states and cuts into pursuit while others continue to talk about US strategic goals: “Denying China’s hegemony over Asia is the main objective of US grand strategy.”
Colby also frankly states in his writing that the American unipolar moment has passed.
The United States does not have the power to do everything everywhere and must make difficult choices to tailor the means. The sacrifices that America must make in other parts of the world are real, and Colby is not ashamed to call them by name.
Colby states that the United States has made extensive commitments in Europe and the Middle East without acknowledging the rise of China as a potential powerhouse. Many fear that failure to comply with these promises could fatally undermine Washington’s confidence in its Asian allies.
Still, Colby presents a compelling counterargument. That is, the action speaks much louder than the expressed intent. If the United States doubles its rhetoric in response to changes in reality, this undermines rather than supports the credibility of the United States.
As Colby convincingly states, this “differentiated credibility” means abandoning less important pledges so that the United States can focus on its central interest in Asia. To do. He argues that it is this willingness to focus on efforts that really determines whether Asian partners are confident in their American allies.
Colby’s analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of American comparisons, the best paths available to each actor, and his ruthless honesty make this book a must-read for anyone interested in strategy or the post-pandemic world. ..
It also gives his framework for US success its own “credibility.” In short, to prevent Beijing’s domination in Asia, the anti-hegemony coalition can defeat China in the war with Taiwan and must be willing to do so. By carefully explaining to the reader all the options, the consequences of failure, and the steps needed to succeed, Colby shows the inevitable truth through rationalized reasons.
Colby says ordinary Americans seem to value the true threat posed by China far more than Washington’s political and foreign policy elite.
When asked why the Epoch Times think so, he explains that the speed of China’s rise is fleeing a huge number of people, especially outside the economic bloc.
“In the military arena, there was clearly no major war, so it has not been tested, so such delays are not uncommon,” he said. “It’s not an excuse or a good thing, but it’s not uncommon.”
Colby states that people in the Midwest understand China’s challenges in a more visceral and realistic way than others.
“I don’t think we yet understand the magnitude of China’s challenge,” he said.
From his direct experience with the Pentagon, he knows that the framework Colby has set up to defeat China will help policy makers make wise resource decisions.
“To make intelligent decisions, we need a framework that should allow the military and defense facilities to understand what is most important, how to deal with it, and how to deal with it.” He said. “My desire is to clarify the rationale for which we need to focus our efforts and the type of military strategy we need … the number of F35s, the number of Navy vessels, and what else. Or allies, etc. “
To defeat China in the war with Taiwan, not only the United States but also solid preparation is required.
“Both Japan and Taiwan need to dramatically increase defense spending,” Colby said, pointing out the fact that Japan spends only 1 percent of GDP on defense.
“Japan needs to at least double its defense spending. Taiwan needs to invest in the right kind to resist aggression and resist blockades.”
Many American foreign policy experts speak openly in ideological or universal language, and the contrast with Colby’s realist tone is striking, but he considers this a matter of approach. I am.
“I’m motivated by American values, and my motivation is to preserve and promote them,” Colby told The Epoch Times. “I think the way to do that is realistic.”
Recently, the world has commemorated 9/11-20 years. Reading this book does not escape the feeling that this level of analysis (rigorous, systematic, serious) has been severely lost from US strategic policy over the last two decades.
Colby, who was asked to evaluate American performance since 2001, looks down. Especially until about 5 years ago, it was very poor. “
“We have allowed China to do more than steal the march, which means we are in a position to allow China to grow without challenge and not only to grow, but also to bid on regional domination. We really need to be better now that we have made it possible to get closer, “Colby said.
The United States experienced political paralysis over so-called Russian influence at home, but Asians witnessed China’s expansionist ambitions with growing anxiety. Beijing controls the South China Sea, cracks down on Hong Kong, and deploys more advanced capabilities than ever to occupy Taiwan.
What was missing was a plan from the United States to thwart the goal of Beijing’s domination.
Colby’s book stops this danger in a direct way, stimulates support, focuses action, and helps decision makers make the right choices in the hegemonic competition that will take place over the coming decades. We have a reliable framework for victory.
Elbridge A. Colby’s “Rejection Strategy: America’s Defense in the Age of Power Conflict” is a must read for anyone concerned about China’s growing threat and, more importantly, how the United States can counter it. is.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
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