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The Impact of Chinese Naval Modernizationand the Future of the Un Naval War College Review Volume 61 Article 12 Number 1 Winter 2008 The mpI act of Chinese Naval Modernizationand the Future of the United States Navy Andrew S. Erickson Follow this and additional works at: https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/nwc-review Recommended Citation Erickson, Andrew S. (2008) "The mpI act of Chinese Naval Modernizationand the Future of the United States Navy," Naval War College Review: Vol. 61 : No. 1 , Article 12. Available at: https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/nwc-review/vol61/iss1/12 This Book Review is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at U.S. Naval War College Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Naval War College Review by an authorized editor of U.S. Naval War College Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Erickson: The Impact of Chinese Naval Modernizationand the Future of the Un 130 NAVAL WAR COLLEGE REVIEW The first trial by combat of the new Washington’s decision making. O’Rourke navy was against the French in the un- is a naval issues analyst for the Congres- declared “Quasi-War” of 1797–1800, sional Research Service (CRS) of the Li- which was fought to protect American brary of Congress. Specialists will want merchant shipping. The next naval ac- to consult his related product, China tion occurred in the Mediterranean Naval Modernization: Implications for during 1803–1805, when war was U.S. Navy Capabilities—Background waged against the pirates of Tripoli. and Issues for Congress. First published However, the true test for the Navy, of in November 2006, the latter report has course, occurred during the War of been updated regularly. Each report 1812, when the value of the ships and contains details that the other does not. their crews was proved beyond doubt. Like its CRS counterpart, O’Rourke’s The author’s descriptions of the ships, present study draws on a variety of U.S. their handling, and the combat actions government analyses; congressional tes- is excellent, and his portrayal of the timony; and articles from the media, people is equally impressive. The posi- think tanks, and academia. Additional tive and negative characteristics of the details are provided in an appendix. civilian leaders—including John Adams, Charged with presenting different Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison— points of view, with an emphasis on of- as well as of the naval officers who be- ficial analyses, O’Rourke cannot be held came well known in American history responsible for disagreements concern- (Stephen Decatur, William Bainbridge, ing the underlying assumptions or con- Thomas Truxtun, Edward Preble, and clusions of his sources. It should also be James Lawrence) are all examined. emphasized that Beijing’s continuing This is Ian Toll’s first book. It is a prod- reluctance to offer detailed information uct of his sailing experience, interest in on the purpose or scope of many as- the period, writing skill, and thorough pects of its rapid military development research. The result is an excellent work both raises concerns in Washington and that should become a permanent part makes it difficult for policy makers of the library of anyone with an interest there to rule out worst-case scenarios. in American naval history. O’Rourke has explicitly chosen to focus JACK A. GOTTSCHALK his report by limiting the attention paid Livingston, New Jersey to such issues of potential relevance to the U.S. Navy as China’s aerospace de- velopment. In light of recent significant Chinese achievements in this realm (in- cluding the acknowledged testing of an O’Rourke, Ronald. The Impact of Chinese Naval antisatellite weapon on 11 January Modernization and the Future of the United 2007), however, such factors should States Navy. New York: Nova, 2006. 106pp. $79 perhaps be integrated into follow-on Well written, succinct, and timely, this studies by O’Rourke and his colleagues. balanced assessment of Chinese naval After all, China’s ability to project naval weaknesses and strengths offers specific power farther from its shores will hinge technological development and pro- on developing effective air defense for curement alternatives to inform surface assets. Certain military Published by U.S. Naval War College Digital Commons, 2008 1 Naval War College Review, Vol. 61 [2008], No. 1, Art. 12 BOOK REVIEWS 131 scenarios, such as those involving Tai- In China’s Nuclear Forces Larry Wortzel wan, might motivate China to attempt has delivered an exceptional mono- to deter American intervention by the graph that demands the attention of threat of nuclear strikes or damage to both nuclear strategists and China ex- U.S. space assets. perts. The author, a leading authority O’Rourke’s study raises important ques- on China, Asia, national security, and tions as the United States develops a new military strategy, is currently serving as maritime strategy. If preventing Taiwan a commissioner on the congressionally independence and promoting reunifica- mandated U.S.-China Economic and tion is the present focus of China’s naval Security Review Commission. He previ- development, what other national inter- ously served as the director of the Asian ests might fuel such development in the Studies Center and vice president for future? What is the proper balance for foreign policy at the Heritage Founda- the U.S. Navy between supporting oper- tion. Wortzel’s distinguished thirty- ations in the global war on terror and two-year career in the U.S. armed maintaining (if not increasing) its pres- forces, during which time he served as ence and operational capabilities in the both assistant Army attaché and then vast, strategically vital Asia-Pacific re- attaché at the American embassy in gion? What resources will be required China, culminated with an assignment to meet the latter requirements, and as director of the Strategic Studies Insti- how should they be allocated? Finally, tute at the Army War College. what fleet and basing architecture can The title of this monograph promises best accomplish this at sustainable cost an expansive scope, and Wortzel deliv- to taxpayers? ers quite ably. While the scale of the Critical procurement decisions with work is extremely helpful in keeping the ramifications for years to come are be- various aspects and issues in perspec- ing made in Beijing as China develops a tive, the most important new contribu- new five-year plan. As this dual strate- tions to understanding the evolving gic crossroads looms ever larger, it is to Chinese nuclear posture are Wortzel’s be hoped that the two Pacific powers treatments of “no first use” and nuclear can reach an understanding about their command and control. As stated by the respective regional roles and thereby author, “The major insights...come keep competitive coexistence from de- from exploiting sections of...A Guide generating into a new cold war. to the Study of Campaign Theory[,]... an unclassified ‘study guide’ for PLA of- ANDREW S. ERICKSON ficers on how to understand and apply Naval War College doctrine.” These insights, however, which Wortzel so adeptly lays forth, are corroborated in other reliable Chinese- language material. Wortzel, Larry M. China’s Nuclear Forces: Oper- It has become conventional wisdom ations, Training, Doctrine, Command, Control, among China scholars to take Chinese and Campaign Planning. Carlisle Barracks, Pa.: declaratory policy of “no first use” of U.S. Army War College, Strategic Studies Insti- nuclear weapons at face value, excusing tute, 2007. 51pp. away various past unofficial statements https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/nwc-review/vol61/iss1/12 2.
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