Does the U.S. fail to appreciate just how quickly new technology is answered by newer technology?
It’s less about tactical innovations like particular submarine bases and more about understanding the Chinese philosophy of war and conflict. The Chinese approach to warfare is very different from ours. Partly this is because they’re a developing county and don’t have the military strength that we do. But it is also a reflection of a different set of ideas about being indirect in confrontation. For example, rather than building 500 fighter planes to intercept every American fighter plane, they would try to take out our satellite navigation system. Frankly, I don’t think the U.S. is prepared to deal with the way the Chinese are developing their military. In your new book, The Age Of The Unthinkable, you said most U.S. discussions with China are shaped by the American desire for direct confrontation. I can’t believe that tired old tactic works any more. It doesn’t. The lesson of the last ten years has been that when you confront China directly — whether it’s on human rights or issues su
