By Ryan D. Martinson*
American leaders have finally awakened to the challenges posed by an ascendant People’s Republic of China (PRC). (Center for International Maritime Security) Over two presidential administrations, the U.S. has strived to better defend the country from PRC policies that harm American interests, from unfair trade practices to actions that undermine U.S. partnerships and alliances. U.S. policymakers describe the new approach as “great power competition” or “strategic competition,” implying that U.S.-China antagonism is, and shall remain, below the threshold of armed conflict.
