China's Overseas Bases & the Transition to War, with T.X. Hammes
The People’s Republic of China continues to expand its already well-established contestation of ownership, access, and control of ports throughout the world. They have done this in parallel with building the world’s largest navy and a diverse set of military capabilities clearly designed with one purpose—defeating the U.S. military in the Indo-Pacific. Returning to Midrats to discuss this and related topics is be T. X. Hammes. T.X. is a distinguished research fellow at the Center for Strategic Research, National Defense University. He served 30 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Show Links China’s exploitation of overseas ports and bases Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie Ares anti-ship cruise missile Typhon MWI Podcast: The Future Battlefield, from Europe to the Indo-Pacific The Eastern Front Summary In this conversation, Sal, Mark, and T.X. Hammes discuss the implications of China's global expansion, particularly its military strategy and naval capabilities. They explore how China is leveraging its control over ports and logistics to challenge U.S. dominance in the Indo-Pacific. The discussion also delves into operational planning assumptions for potential conflict with China, the historical context of long wars, and the challenges facing U.S. military readiness. Innovative solutions for naval warfare, the importance of economic exhaustion and sea control, and the role of mines in modern warfare are also examined. The conversation concludes with thoughts on the future of military technology and the potential for leveraging civilian resources in military operations. Takeaways China's global expansion poses significant challenges to U.S. interests. The U.S. Navy must adapt to China's growing naval capabilities. China's unconventional use of ports can disrupt global trade. Long wars are historically common between healthy powers. U.S. military readiness is not sufficient for a prolonged conflict. Innovative solutions like missile barges could enhance naval warfare. Economic exhaustion is a critical factor in long-term conflicts. Mines could play a crucial role in modern naval strategy. The focus should shift from platforms to payloads in military planning. Leveraging civilian resources can enhance military capabilities. Chapters 00:00: Introduction to China's Global Expansion 02:36: China's Naval Capabilities and Strategic Ports 10:42: Planning Assumptions for Potential Conflict 21:29: Control of the Sea and Economic Exhaustion 30:26: Utilizing Merchant Ships in Warfare 33:27: Investing in Future Military Technologies 35:44: Innovative Solutions for Pacific Defense 40:11: The Role of Unmanned Systems in Modern Warfare 42:57: Lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War 44:59: Adapting Combined Arms for Modern Conflicts 48:44: The Importance of Flexibility in Naval Operations 53:10: Building a Resilient Merchant Fleet 55:57: Exploring New...