Fravel, M. Taylor, and Christopher P. Twomey

Abstract
The understanding in the United States of China’s use of the concept of “counter-intervention” is flawed. In Chinese military writings, counter-intervention is not a military strategy, much less a broader grand strategic goal to oppose the role of the United States in regional affairs. To be sure, China is developing new capabilities that could be used against the United States if it intervened in a regional conflict involving China. Nevertheless, when Chinese sources do refer to related concepts such as “resisting” or “guarding against” intervention, they are describing as one of the many subsidiary components of campaigns and contingencies that have more narrow and specific goals, especially a conflict over Taiwan. Reducing such misunderstandings of Chinese strategic concepts will require increased engagement with Chinese writings, but will also help to reduce security dilemmas and misperceptions of Chinese strategy and ensure that new developments in Chinese capabilities are properly understood.
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