What China Thinks It Can Gain From a Disordered World: A Conversation With Oriana Skylar Mastro

Foreign Affairs  |  Dan Kurtz-Phelan

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is leveraging global geopolitical volatility to advance Beijing's long-term ambition of displacing United States dominance in the Indo-Pacific region. This strategy exploits ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East to stretch American military resources thin while cementing strategic partnerships with Russia and North Korea.

Beijing's current approach stems from decades of planning, as detailed in The Stealth Superpower, which anticipated a period of intense American decline once China's economy grew. Rather than reacting to sudden shifts like the second Trump presidency, Chinese planners rely on established metrics to navigate systemic disruptions and technological advancements in artificial intelligence. The United States now faces a coordinated axis of revisionist powers working to undermine Western deterrence across multiple theatres. To counter this, Washington must avoid overreacting to short-term political changes and instead focus on strengthening regional alliances to secure the Taiwan Strait.

Comment

New Delhi must anticipate increased Chinese pressure along the Line of Actual Control. Beijing exploits Western distraction in Ukraine to test Indian resolve in Ladakh. The Indian Army requires enhanced electronic warfare capabilities to counter PLA integrated network electronic warfare doctrine.

To read in details click here