David R. Stilwell

Clear Thinking on the South China Sea

The South China Sea is a hot topic these days. Brigadier General Stilwell will offer his thoughts on the current state of the US-China relationship since the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea invalidated China’s 9-dash Line claim. He will offer his assessment of China’s long-term strategy, including Beijing’s intent behind East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone, as well as the many issues surrounding a South China Sea ADIZ.

US-China Security Cooperation: “You Really Ought to Give Mil-to-Mil a Try”

Of the many changes that came with the transition from Hu Jintao to Xi Jinping, PLA interest in Mil-Mil exchanges with the US is one of the most notable. The so-called “ardent suitor” phenomenon – which had the US fairly begging a hard-to-get PLA to engage – reversed itself in November 2012. Xi’s frequent admonitions to the PLA to “prepare for combat” weren’t orders to increase China’s combat footing – instead he was telling the generals that they should focus on building a professional fighting force.