About the Book
The risk of major war between China and the United States and its allies has risen substantially in recent years. The most likely flashpoint is a clash over the future of Taiwan. The leaderships of the two sides are at loggerheads-their posturing has become more confrontational, and their preparations for major war are accelerating. Deterring and, if necessary, fighting and winning such a conflict is now a first priority for America and its allies. But the dynamics of such a crisis need to be better understood.
Several books have been written about the growing risks of war and how such a conflict might start. A few have discussed options for allied deterrence and defense strategy. However, nearly all of these contributions have focused on the foreign and defense policy challenges prior to, and in the early stages of, such a war.
This book takes a more wide-ranging and in-depth look at the demands such a war would make on the US alliance. Drawing on several years of research on Chinese and American planning, it describes the rather different types of war the two sides are planning to fight. One side is focusing primarily on military preparations. The other is preparing not only its military but also much of its economy, its society, and its political system to endure and ultimately prevail in such a war. The Next Major War: Can the U.S. and Its Allies Win Against China? explains the strengths and weaknesses of each side, the key phases that would likely characterize such a struggle, the probable economic and business impacts, and the factors that would determine its duration and outcome. It discusses the military aspects of such a conflict and goes much further to also address the economic, industrial, social, political, and other dimensions. It is a well-researched, multidisciplinary assessment of what such a war would probably be like, the ways it could progress, and how it might be won.
The Next Major War will be important reading for the US and allied defense and national security communities. It will also appeal to many corporate and business leaders, researchers, students, and members of allied publics who are concerned about the growing international security challenges.
*This book is in the Rapid Communications in Conflict and Security Series (General Editor: Geoffrey R.H. Burn) and includes color charts.
About the Author :
Ross Babbage is a Non-resident Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments in Washington, DC. He is also Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Forum and Managing Director of Strategy International (ACT) Pty Ltd. Dr Babbage served as an Australian Government official for 16 years and has also held senior positions in business and at the Australian National University. His previous publications include A Coast Too long, Which Way the Dragon? Sharpening Allied Perceptions of China's Strategic Trajectory and Winning Without Fighting: Chinese and Russian Political Warfare Campaigns and How the West Can Prevail.
Review :
"A timely, sobering, and essential read ... As concern grows that China will invade Taiwan before mid-century, the issues examined in this book are crucial for policymakers, militaries, academics, and business leaders to consider." -Bonnie Glaser, Director, Asia Program, German Marshall Fund of the US
"In this prize jewel of a book, Babbage provides an eagle-eyed look ahead at the worst political, economic, and military crises in the near future-and, very importantly, a critical blueprint for averting these. Politicians, business leaders, journalists, and everyday citizens should read Babbage's urgent roadmap for deterring- or, as may be necessary, winning-the war Beijing is cooking up." -Matt Pottinger, former US Deputy National Security Adviser
"An outstanding book that offers the deepest and most wide-ranging analysis to date, going far beyond the usual comparisons of weapons systems and operational concepts to explore the economic, political, and societal dimensions of a possible future clash between the Pacific superpowers." -Aaron L. Friedberg, Professor of Politics and International Affairs, Princeton University
"A timely, insightful, and much-needed net assessment of the threat posed by China ... a serious, important, and timely gem that is mandatory reading for all senior officials charged with deterring Chinese aggression and, should deterrence fail, defeating it." -Andrew Krepinevich, Jr., President and CEO, Solarium LLC; and Founder, former President, and CEO, CSBA
"Babbage's examination of alliance weaknesses-and the opportunities available to the US, Japan, Australia, and others in this dynamic environment-is highly relevant to government, military, national security, and scholarly communities across the globe." -Mick Ryan, Major General, Australian Army (ret.)
"An urgent call to action to prepare for such an increasingly likely contingency. This book will be of intense interest to soldiers and statesmen alike." -Thomas G. Mahnken, President and CEO, CSBA; and Senior Research Professor, Johns Hopkins SAIS
"An absolute wake-up call for the national security/foreign policy/political 'ruling classes.' ... This book lays out the dangers and what's required to counter them. It offers perspectives that aren't readily found in existing literature on the China threat issue." -Grant Newsham, Colonel, US Marines (ret.) and former executive director, Morgan Stanley Japan
