Kurt Campbell

But in terms of the size of the military, the size of what we would describe as expeditionary forces and capabilities, air and naval forces, China's made incredible investments here. And they are being manifested in the air and waters of Asia more generally. And so China still remains in many critical vectors behind us. But their size pose long term looming challenges to the United States.

But in terms of the size of the military, the size of what we would describe as expeditionary forces and capabilities, air and naval forces, China's made incredible investments here. And they are being manifested in the air and waters of Asia more generally. And so China still remains in many critical vectors behind us. But their size pose long term looming challenges to the United States.

I would just say, Lynn, on the nature of sort of China's relations with these group of nations that are challenging global order, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, it is one of the most troubling developments we've seen in recent years. But the thing that Rush pointed to in Europe is the one that should trouble us the most.

I would just say, Lynn, on the nature of sort of China's relations with these group of nations that are challenging global order, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, it is one of the most troubling developments we've seen in recent years. But the thing that Rush pointed to in Europe is the one that should trouble us the most.

If you look historically at some of the guiding principles of Chinese foreign policy, one of the most important which they have championed for decades is the notion of the critical importance of national territory and existing territorial lines of jurisdiction. And they have been resolute about that in various crises in Africa and Southeast Asia over decades. I think what Rush points to is that

If you look historically at some of the guiding principles of Chinese foreign policy, one of the most important which they have championed for decades is the notion of the critical importance of national territory and existing territorial lines of jurisdiction. And they have been resolute about that in various crises in Africa and Southeast Asia over decades. I think what Rush points to is that

This is on the part of Russia, a full on assault, not just at Ukraine, but the existing drawn boundaries that have animated decades of stability in Europe. And what essentially has happened is that China has allied itself in ways

This is on the part of Russia, a full on assault, not just at Ukraine, but the existing drawn boundaries that have animated decades of stability in Europe. And what essentially has happened is that China has allied itself in ways

You know, they've tried to do some of this secretly, but has enabled Russia to go directly at those lines that have been broadly accepted by all global powers, except perhaps for Russia. Now, China, I think, explains it to itself. You saw inadvertently the remarks of the Chinese ambassador to France in 2023, in which he basically indicated

You know, they've tried to do some of this secretly, but has enabled Russia to go directly at those lines that have been broadly accepted by all global powers, except perhaps for Russia. Now, China, I think, explains it to itself. You saw inadvertently the remarks of the Chinese ambassador to France in 2023, in which he basically indicated

that the territorial lines that were drawn or accepted during the confusion of the post-Cold War environment do not have the same clarity or historical significance than other territorial lines. And of course, he was quickly you know, kind of not reprimanded, but sort of like speaking so clearly on these matters can sometimes be good for your career and sometimes not so much for him, not so much.

that the territorial lines that were drawn or accepted during the confusion of the post-Cold War environment do not have the same clarity or historical significance than other territorial lines. And of course, he was quickly you know, kind of not reprimanded, but sort of like speaking so clearly on these matters can sometimes be good for your career and sometimes not so much for him, not so much.

But this is the birthplace in many respects of American strategic purpose. Our commitment to peace and stability in Central Europe is what first brought brought us to being a global power. And for them to do this, we have to interpret it not just as a threat to Europe, but frankly, a threat to the United States as well.

But this is the birthplace in many respects of American strategic purpose. Our commitment to peace and stability in Central Europe is what first brought brought us to being a global power. And for them to do this, we have to interpret it not just as a threat to Europe, but frankly, a threat to the United States as well.

I'll do one and let Rush do the other two. I think the most important argument here is not to underestimate China in this highly dynamic period. Rush, over to you for the last two.

I'll do one and let Rush do the other two. I think the most important argument here is not to underestimate China in this highly dynamic period. Rush, over to you for the last two.