Episode 107 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast examines how China uses its paramilitary and internal security forces to project power abroad and build global influence.
Our guests begin by dissecting the Chinese security apparatus: contrasting the People’s Liberation Army with the CCP’s internal police forces and paramilitaries. They then explore how China uses these nontraditional security forces—which often aid foreign governments in maintaining regime stability—as an alternative to U.S. security assistance packages. Finally, our guests conclude by examining how the U.S. and its allies can compete with China more effectively in the realm of security cooperation.
Professor Sheena Chestnut Greitens is currently a visiting associate professor at the Army War College. She’s also an associate professor and director of the Asia Policy Program at the University of Texas at Austin, and a nonresident scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Earlier this year, Professor Greitens published an article entitled, “China’s Use of Nontraditional Strategic Landpower in Asia,” which serves as the anchor for this episode.
LTG Charles W. Hooper served in the U.S. Army for over four decades. Throughout much of his career, LTG Hooper focused on U.S. policy in the Indo-Pacific where he completed two attaché assignments in Beijing. LTG Hooper is a graduate of West Point, and holds advanced degrees from Harvard University and the UK Ministry of Defense Chinese Language School, Hong Kong.
Ben Jebb and Katherine Michaelson are the hosts for this episode. Please reach out to Ben and Katherine with any questions about this episode or the Irregular Warfare Podcast.
The Irregular Warfare Podcast is a production of the Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI). We are a team of volunteers dedicated to bridging the gap between scholars and practitioners in the field of irregular warfare. IWI generates written and audio content, coordinates events for the IW community, and hosts critical thinkers in the field of irregular warfare as IWI fellows. You can follow and engage with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.
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