Persistent Struggle's Deception: Sun Tzu's Mirage of Continuous Contention

In the global political landscape, tensions are escalating as China and Russia continue to bolster their military capabilities and assertive behavior, raising regional security concerns.

China, under the leadership of Xi Jinping, who frequently quotes Mao Tse-Tung and subscribes to his Marxist-Leninist view of the world, has significantly expanded its conventional and nuclear capabilities. This military buildup has been evident in recent years, as China has aggressively probed the airspace and coastal areas of both Japan and Taiwan.

Mao Tse-Tung, the father of the People's Republic of China, once famously said that all power comes from the barrel of a gun. His definition of guerrilla activities as a supporting function of the orthodox force that deals the decisive blow seems to resonate with China's current military strategy. Xi Jinping has made statements indicating a focus on China-Taiwan "reunification" and the Communist Party leading the world through military supremacy.

Meanwhile, Russia, under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, has also been increasing its military presence. Putin has deployed a massive force on Ukraine's border, and the Russian defense chief is overseeing large-scale military exercises in nearby Belarus. Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, and Putin has used his troop buildup on Ukraine's border to secure talks with NATO leaders and President Joe Biden.

The blurring of the distinction between regular and irregular forces, as argued by David Kilcullen and Sean McFate, is becoming increasingly apparent in the actions of both China and Russia. Putin has used his military presence as a negotiating tool, while China's military buildup and assertive behavior suggest a strategy of intimidation and power projection.

The United States and China's relationship is being framed using the history of competing powers in Ancient Greece. Elbridge Colby, lead architect of the 2018 National Defense Strategy, cautions against presuming that the purpose of Russia and China's recent activities is to avoid war. Secretary of State George P. Shultz stated in a 1986 lecture that negotiations can be seen as a form of capitulation if the shadow of power is not present during negotiations.

The Pentagon should return to its two-wars force construct that recognizes simultaneous or coordinated land grabs as a potential reality. Defense spending can be an insufficient metric for gauging military power, considering the average US servicemember takes home sixteen times the paycheck of a People's Liberation Army soldier. Despite the United States' emphasis on economic power, China is closing the gap, reducing American leverage.

In conclusion, the military buildup and assertive behavior of China and Russia are causing regional security concerns and straining relationships with the United States. The blurring of the distinction between regular and irregular forces, the use of military presence as a negotiating tool, and the focus on military supremacy are all indicative of a shifting global power dynamic. The Pentagon must adapt its strategy to address these new realities and ensure the security of its allies and partners.