Jeremy Bash’s Post

Discover how the military capability of the top six military powers have evolved from 2014 to 2022. China has experienced the most significant increase, while France and Russia have witnessed a contraction in their overall military capabilities. The Contemporary Trends in Militarisation Report by the Institute for Economics & Peace offers a comprehensive assessment of global military power dynamics. ⬇️ Download now: https://lnkd.in/g9KP7YvV

Professor Jing Yuan-Chou (NDU, Taiwan) and I have just published an article "Tipping the Balance? China's PLA Northern Theater Command and the Korean Peninsula." It is available in KJDA's 2024 June issue. The project started from my time as a Taiwan Fellow during 2023 where I was resident at the Graduate Institute of China Military Affairs, National Defense University, Taiwan. I went to Taiwan to wrap my head around South Korea's tough strategic choice facing the Taiwan Strait. I was amazed to find that there was next to no open-source analysis on PLA's Northern Theater Command (NTC) - either Chinese, English or Korean. This was alarming to me since NTC is responsible for China's military operations regarding any Korean contingency. In our paper, we analyze the distribution of PLA capabilities between its theater commands and provide a first cut on how NTC's conventional capabilities affect the military balance of power on the Korean Peninsula. We find that: (1) The NTC has maintained the largest and heaviest ground force, the largest air force, and the second most powerful naval fleet among PLA's theater commands (though trends suggest this will change in the next coming years). (2) When NTC military capabilities are added to the existing military balance between North Korean forces and the U.S.-South Korean alliance forces, the United States and South Korea’s air supremacy is challenged and naval dominance is overturned. This is especially the case in the West Sea of Korea, the Yellow Sea. I want to thank the anonymous reviewers for the diligent comments and pushing the project to draw out actions that Seoul and Washington can take to correct the emerging imbalance. https://lnkd.in/gyzPDEEW

🪖On Thursday, January 18, we were privileged at the Rapid Reaction Corps France (RRC-FR) to host three distinguished military leaders: Lieutenant General ZANELLI, Deputy Commander of LANDCOM; Brigadier General ARSLAN, Chief of Staff of the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps (NRDC) of Turkey; and Lieutenant General de PONTBRIAND, Deputy Commander of the French Land Forces. 🤝Amidst an international climate of uncertainty, the ceremonial transfer of authority as a NATO Warfighting Corps from RRC-FR to NRDC-TUR marks a pivotal moment. 🎯The RRC-FR stands vigilant and prepared to confront any and all challenges in its role as a Warfighting Corps. "The alert pennant is in capable hands. The alliance relies on us," stated LTG GAULIN, commander of the Rapid Reaction Corps France. As the premier deployable headquarters of the French armed forces, the RRC-FR is adept at leading high-intensity operations as a NATO Warfighting Corps, adeptly integrating kinetic and non-kinetic effects within the terrestrial domain in a joint forces environment. This significant transition underscores the importance of interoperability and the readiness to serve as a Framework Nation, aligning with the primary objectives of the French Army. By assuming NATO's Warfighting Corps alert, the RRC-FR further solidifies France's position as a dependable, credible, and united ally. 🔗https://lnkd.in/eJQ94UBH #RRCFR #NATO #Defense #Interoperability #Solidarity #FrenchArmy #France #Certification #Training Armée de Terre

How do the United States and China use international military bases as a part of their grander security strategies? National Committee Public Intellectuals Program Fellow Isaac Kardon (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace) discusses how U.S. bases in Asia, and China's own military bases, factor into broader military relations between the two countries for our new series, U.S.-China Counterpoints. ▶️ Watch: https://lnkd.in/ejkbWGjE #US #China #USChina #military

The annual Commandant's Conference is now in the books. Hosted at the NATO School Oberammergau, this main event united PTECs worldwide to advance education for civilian and military personnel from NATO and partner nations. Co-chaired by NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT) and NATO School Oberammergau, the conference aimed to enhance professionalism, promote international troop interoperability, and drive NATO partnership initiatives forward. The participants praised the conference for fostering communication and proactivity among Commandants, while breakout sessions strengthened cohesion and partnership across NATO organizations. The conference highlighted the symbiotic relationship between NATO HQ and NATO School Oberammergau, reaffirming the Alliance's commitment to global security through collaboration and unity. #PTEC #TrainingAndEducation #StrongerTogether

During a so-called 2+2 dialogue in Tokyo, the U.S. formally agreed to reconstitute its military headquarters in Japan, U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ), as a Joint Force Headquarters reporting to the commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii. In part due to the encouragement of U.S. officials, the rapprochement between Japan and South Korea has made significant progress over the past year. In Tokyo, there is vocal opposition over efforts to integrate Japan’s foreign policy with U.S. plans in the region and to bolstering the historically pacifist nation’s defensive capabilities. As the U.S. further commits to confronting China alongside its partners, Beijing will continue to challenge the status quo, resulting in greater uncertainty and potential instability in the region.

The Rise of China's Economic and Military Power: As we acknowledge China's growing status as an economic superpower, let's not overlook the strategic implications of its economic might. China is leveraging its economic strength to enhance its military capabilities, simultaneously boosting its soft power and hard power. Key facts to consider: ✓China's military capabilities have increased significantly since 2014, according to the Institute for Economics & Peace. 📊 ✓China's defense spending has risen by 70% over the past decade, reaching $261 billion in 2022. 💸 ✓China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) promotes trade and cooperation while expanding its military presence and influence globally. 🌍 As China prepares for "big fights," it's crucial for businesses, policymakers, and individuals to understand the implications of China's rising economic and military power. #China #EconomicPower #MilitaryPower #Geopolitics #GlobalAffairs #BeltAndRoadInitiative #DefenseSpending #InternationalRelations #Strategy #GlobalLeadership #EconomicDiplomacy

CCRS Research Associate, Mr. Khan Menghok wrote an op-ed piece on “US Defense Secretary's Trip a Chance for Better Relations” on 28 May 2024, published in Cambodianess. In the article, he argues that the US Defense Secretary's second trip to Cambodia presents an excellent opportunity to enhance the relationship between the two countries, particularly in the military-to-military tie, and to clear some concerns over Chinese military presence in the Ream Naval Base. You can read the full article by following this link: https://lnkd.in/gj8XhmpN

NSI CTC Distinguished Fellow Mark Montgomery and Isaac Harris highlight the risk of the U.S. military's supply chain being heavily dependent on Chinese manufacturing, giving China leverage to potentially disrupt military readiness. They argue that in order to address this strategic vulnerability, the U.S. needs a comprehensive strategy to identify and mitigate dependencies on potentially hostile nations across the entire military procurement spectrum. Read more in The Cipher Brief here: https://lnkd.in/eefXBtFi

Armenia's strategic decision to procure military products from nations like India and France is commendable. However, the ability to replicate or improve upon these products independently is crucial for long-term self-reliance in defense compared to its peers. History shows that Germany, pre-WWII, rapidly advanced its military capabilities from small arms to pioneering jet planes, highlighting the significance of indigenous innovation. Ultimately, the outcome of conflicts is often shaped more by political factors than sheer military strength. #Armenia #MilitaryDefense #SelfReliance #HistoryLessons