PDF Summary:Stealth War, by Robert Spalding

In Stealth War, Robert Spalding sounds the alarm on China's steadfast tactics to expand its authoritarian system globally through a blend of economic, technological, and military maneuvering.

The writer elucidates how China strategically exploits the openness of Western democracies to undermine foreign institutions, acquire sensitive data through cyber operations, compromise supply chains, sway public narratives, and wield influence over decision-makers—all to shift the global balance of power to its advantage. Spalding argues that the magnitude of China's covert assault on Western democracy requires the United States to rethink its defense posture and mount an equally multifaceted response.

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China's authoritarian grip is tightening as it broadens its social credit system and digital censorship, which concurrently erodes individual liberties.

Spalding sheds light on how China's social credit system (SCS) and digital censorship tools have significantly bolstered the authoritarian grip of the Chinese Communist Party and eroded individual liberties. The writer explains how the SCS employs advancements in technology to observe and evaluate individual behavior, thus creating an electronic system to oversee and influence the citizenry. Spalding warns that the regime not only incentivizes compliance with the Chinese Communist Party's mandates but also imposes severe penalties for dissent, which suppresses the liberty to speak freely and independent thought.

He emphasizes how this system is linked to China's digital censorship mechanisms, which not only limit access to websites deemed politically sensitive but also monitor online discussions for signs of disagreement, meting out punishments to individuals who express views that contradict the positions held by the Chinese Communist Party. He underscores the disturbing consequences of pervasive monitoring, pointing out that in response, individuals start to suppress their own thoughts, which hampers creativity, advancement, and the vital interchange of ideas that is crucial for a flourishing society. As Spalding argues, the establishment and operationalization of the SCS, coupled with its strategies to quell opposition, represent a dangerous turn in the history of dictatorial governments, paving the way for a bleak future where individual liberties are extinguished and the absolute control by the Chinese Communist Party over every aspect of its people's lives remains uncontested.

China utilizes its expatriate populations and employs forceful strategies to suppress freedom of expression and political opposition beyond its territorial limits.

Spalding explores the strategies employed by China's ruling party, which are designed not only to control its population within its borders but also to extend its authoritarian influence worldwide, impacting Chinese nationals abroad and swaying foreign individuals and organizations to further its objectives. He details the strategies the Chinese Communist Party employs to leverage its substantial expatriate communities in gathering intelligence, quelling dissent, and promoting its global goals.

He details the strategies employed by China's ruling party to recruit Chinese students studying overseas, global business experts, and individuals of Chinese heritage through a combination of incentives and pressure to act as informants and agents of surveillance on its behalf. Spalding warns that the pervasive control exerted by the Chinese Communist Party creates a climate of intimidation and voluntary silence, extending beyond China's frontiers, leading individuals to avoid behaviors or statements that might jeopardize their own safety or that of their family members within the country.

Other Perspectives

• China's actions may be interpreted as safeguarding its national interests and security, similar to how Western countries undertake measures to protect their own interests.
• The concept of intellectual property is viewed differently across cultures, and what is deemed as cyber aggression could be seen as an attempt to level the playing field in global innovation.
• The extent of China's cyber capabilities and the impact of their operations may be overstated or misinterpreted due to geopolitical biases and the complexity of cyber attribution.
• Efforts to control information and manage dissent within its borders can be seen as part of China's unique political and social governance model, which prioritizes stability and collective harmony over individual expression.
• The social credit system, while controversial, could be argued to be an innovative approach to governance that incentivizes lawful and socially beneficial behavior, with some parallels to credit scoring systems used in the West.
• The influence of China on its expatriate populations may be comparable to the soft power and diaspora engagement strategies of other nations, which also maintain cultural and political ties with their overseas communities.
• The spread of misinformation and the undermining of trust in institutions are not practices exclusive to China and can be attributed to various actors on the international stage, including Western entities.
• The criticism of China's international behavior may reflect a lack of understanding or appreciation for different governance systems and the principle of non-interference in internal affairs as recognized in international law.

China's rise poses substantial challenges for the United States in maintaining its superiority in defense capabilities and protecting critical infrastructure.

Spalding delivers an in-depth examination of the unique challenges posed by China's rise, which affects the preeminence of the US military and exposes critical infrastructure to vulnerabilities. He underscores that due to persistent oversight, flawed economic tactics, and a failure to adapt to changing warfare methods, China has been able to exploit substantial weaknesses in America's national defense approach.

China's significant investment in enhancing its military prowess is rapidly eroding the longstanding technological edge held by the United States.

Spalding meticulously outlines China's tactical financial commitments designed to bolster its defense prowess, underscoring the rapid erosion of what used to be an unparalleled technological edge held by the United States. He outlines the significant financial commitments by the Chinese Communist Party to develop advanced military equipment, including hypersonic missiles, cutting-edge cyber warfare capabilities, and a growing selection of modern naval ships, challenging the dominance of the United States military in multiple domains.

China's progress in developing advanced weaponry, particularly in areas beyond traditional military resources, presents a considerable obstacle to the United States' deployment of its military capabilities.

Spalding emphasizes the growing vulnerability of American military units, whose role is to project strength, by noting the development and deployment by China of advanced missiles and cyber warfare capabilities, as well as a range of unconventional tools designed to undermine the effectiveness of the United States armed forces in the Pacific region. The author emphasizes the considerable threat to the supremacy of the U.S. Navy, especially the vulnerability of its aircraft carriers in the face of China's strategic improvement of its missile systems, which encompasses the stationing of extended-range anti-ship ballistic missiles like the DF-26. He argues that the enhancement of China's arsenal, coupled with the growth of its command and control infrastructure, as well as the spread of its military bases in the region, effectively creates an obstacle that impedes America's operational flexibility and its ability to project power in the Pacific.

He further emphasizes that the change in military balance extends beyond tangible assets, including China's growing expertise in cyber conflict, tactics of influence, and other unconventional forms of engagement that exploit vulnerabilities in America's security infrastructure, thus undermining the traditional military superiority of the United States. Spalding argues that the United States military must adapt to the changing landscape by concentrating on improving unconventional asymmetrical capabilities and developing new strategies to counteract the growing influence of China's military, while also strengthening its defense in the digital realm.

China's control over critical supply chains and its sway over global trade are eroding the very infrastructure that supports the military might of America.

Spalding underscores the significant risks to the military logistics and industrial base of the United States due to China's control over critical supply chains and its sway over global trade. He emphasizes the reliance of the United States on Chinese manufacturing for critical components necessary in sophisticated weaponry, including the rare earth minerals vital for missile guidance systems and the microchips crucial for the operation of advanced aircraft. This dependence, underscored by Spalding, constitutes a substantial risk by making the United States vulnerable to disruptions in supply, variations in price, and the risk of incorporating tainted components into critical defense systems.

Spalding argues that the transfer of manufacturing processes to China has eroded the United States' industrial foundation, compromising its capacity for domestic production and hindering its potential to foster innovation. The waning strength in manufacturing, coupled with a decline in skilled labor and technical expertise, poses a significant threat to the long-term military prowess of America.

China's aspiration to become a frontrunner in cutting-edge technologies like 5G poses considerable risks to the United States' security and economic vigor.

Spalding emphasizes the importance of China's ambitions to become a frontrunner in advanced technologies, including the development of future wireless networks, highlighting the profound risks these pose to the economic strength and security concerns of the United States for the long term. He argues that the race to dominate 5G wireless technology goes beyond merely improving internet speed; it's about gaining control over the critical infrastructure and information flows that will define the upcoming age of technological breakthroughs, impacting everything from autonomous vehicles and smart cities to essential military communication systems and the protection of a country's safety.

Beijing is actively maneuvering its companies to dominate the essential components and orchestrate the flow of information in the impending digital age, potentially enabling the disruption or surveillance of communication networks within the United States.

Spalding highlights the dangers of allowing firms like Huawei, which have deep ties to the Chinese Communist Party, to dominate the fifth-generation wireless technology sector. He argues that if China were to control this vital infrastructure, it could potentially disrupt or surveil American communications, which may lead to the acquisition of confidential data, compromise critical systems, and put the nation's safety at risk. Huawei formed partnerships with governments and telecommunication companies worldwide, leveraging its competitive prices and robust ties to the Chinese Communist Party to broaden its market reach and establish significant global sway.

The author argues that the strategy's primary objective is to secure control and sway across all sectors reliant on fifth-generation wireless technology, not just within the realm of telecommunications. The author cautions that the Chinese Communist Party might exploit its sway over 5G technology to undermine critical services, quell dissent, and meddle in the operations of U.S. businesses and military forces.

U.S. officials and corporations have not been quick to recognize and react to the rise of China's technological prowess and its consequences for national security.

Robert Spalding criticizes the United States government and the business sector for their lack of concern and sluggish reaction to the risks that China's ambitions in technology pose to the nation's security. He argues that the myopic focus on quick financial profits, coupled with the hopeful belief that engaging with China would automatically lead to its evolution into a democratic state, has allowed China to gain a significant advantage in crucial, emerging technological fields. During his time with the Obama administration, he pushed for a more robust approach to China, detailing his efforts to highlight Beijing's all-encompassing strategy of conflict that knows no limits, and the crucial significance of safeguarding telecommunications infrastructure, a stance that met resistance and eventually resulted in his departure from the advisory body focused on national security.

He underscores the urgency of addressing this threat and advocates for swift and decisive actions to counteract China's ambitions in technology and safeguard America's national security.

Other Perspectives

• The United States still maintains a significant global military presence and alliances that can counterbalance China's rise.
• Technological leadership is not static, and the US continues to innovate in many areas, including defense.
• The US military has a history of adapting to new challenges and could be developing countermeasures to China's advanced weaponry.
• The US is aware of supply chain vulnerabilities and is taking steps to reduce dependence on critical components from China.
• There is a global competition for 5G technology, and other countries and companies could provide alternatives to Chinese dominance.
• The US has robust cybersecurity measures and is actively working to protect its infrastructure from foreign influence.
• US officials and corporations may be more aware of China's technological advancements than the text suggests, and strategic responses may not be publicly visible.

The U.S. must devise strategies that not only impede China's advancement but also protect its institutions and bolster its supremacy in economic and technological spheres to curtail China's global influence.

Drawing on his deep insights into international relations and military strategy, Spalding advocates for robust and effective measures that empower the United States to effectively counter China's all-encompassing approach to "unrestricted warfare," protect its institutions, and maintain its global dominance. He emphasizes the urgent need for a fundamental change in our viewpoint, recognizing the intricate nature of the problem and the essentiality of a comprehensive strategy that transcends traditional methods to protect our country's prosperity and security.

The United States must bolster its commitment to democratic values and the significance of a framework regulated by global norms while addressing the difficulties presented by China's authoritarian regime.

strengthen its economic and defense systems and advocate for democratic values while also ensuring adherence to internationally accepted standards of conduct to effectively engage with China. He underscores the danger China's tactics present to the core tenets of Western democracy, which prioritize government scrutiny, information regulation, and constraints on individual liberties. He advocates for the strengthening of human rights, the promotion of democratic principles and individual freedoms, and firmly endorses the concept of open and responsible competition in global arenas.

The United States should take the lead in forming a coalition of countries that share similar principles, with the aim of enforcing international trade rules and protecting intellectual property, while also making certain that China is accountable for its deceptive practices.

Spalding advocates for the United States to take the lead in forming an alliance of countries that share similar values, with the aim of jointly confronting the assertive tactics of Beijing and reinforcing the tenets of the global system that functions according to established standards. He argues that curbing China's ambitions requires a global effort to enforce trade rules, protect the rights to original ideas and inventions, and hold the nation accountable for its violations in economic and tech sectors.

He emphasizes the necessity of forging robust partnerships with democracies across Europe, Asia, and elsewhere, pinpointing the mutual susceptibilities and collective objectives that bind these countries together against the challenges posed by China. Spalding argues that by forging strategic partnerships and merging intelligence networks, as well as synchronizing its economic and military tactics, the United States is capable of forming a formidable coalition capable of contesting China's supremacy and fostering a world that thrives securely, anchored in democratic principles.

To safeguard its social and economic frameworks from disruptions originating from China, the United States needs to strengthen its internal systems, secure vital infrastructure, and guarantee the robustness of its supply chains.

Spalding emphasizes the need to strengthen the resilience of American institutions and safeguard vital systems and networks that are essential to the nation's economy and social stability, in order to defend against disruptions and Chinese influence. He argues that national resilience requires a reassessment of strategic vulnerabilities and a concerted effort to bolster domestic capabilities across multiple sectors.

The author underscores the critical need for significant investment in cybersecurity to protect vital infrastructure from digital attacks originating from China, underscoring the need for joint initiatives between public agencies and private companies to develop robust defenses, share intelligence on emerging threats, and devise rapid response plans. To bolster the robustness of essential supply chains, Spalding suggests that America should incentivize the repatriation of key industrial sectors, explore different sources for essential parts, and foster the development of innovative manufacturing methods within the country. He argues that these measures are essential to safeguard the economic equilibrium, defense capabilities, and enduring competitive advantage of the United States.

It is imperative for the United States to concentrate on strategically renewing its industrial base to maintain its status as a leader in technology and to guarantee ongoing economic competitiveness.

Spalding presents a persuasive argument for the necessity of the United States to channel substantial and tactical resources into revitalizing its manufacturing base, maintaining its forefront status in technological innovation, and securing its long-term economic competitiveness. He emphasizes that the economic strength of the United States is the foundation of its global sway and warns that neglecting this crucial aspect might gradually diminish its ability to effectively oppose China's strategic objectives.

The United States must promote the repatriation of crucial manufacturing and innovation operations to its domestic market while concurrently curtailing technological collaboration and financial engagements with China.

Spalding underscores the urgency for a significant shift in economic tactics, stressing the importance of revitalizing America's core manufacturing and innovation capacities domestically. He emphasizes the importance of revitalizing America's industrial capabilities to reduce dependence on Chinese manufacturing and to safeguard critical technologies from potential exploitation or acquisition by the Chinese government.

The author suggests employing a mix of rewards and limitations to accomplish this objective. He suggests enticing companies to return to the United States with economic incentives like tax breaks and financial support, while also enforcing more stringent regulations to curb the transfer of investments and technological know-how to China. Spalding argues that maintaining the nation's industrial base and technological edge requires bolstering domestic manufacturing and innovation, as well as preventing the transfer of crucial technology to China.

The United States must establish a dedicated agency tasked with channeling funds into infrastructure projects and devise further plans to direct investments from both public and private entities toward the renewal of the nation's physical and digital infrastructure systems.

Spalding proposes the creation of a dedicated financial institution to address the consistently neglected and progressively worsening state of the United States' infrastructure. He argues that this organization should mirror the successful tactics of entities like the Federal Home Loan Banks by acting as a channel that steers both government and private investments into essential projects aimed at strengthening the country's infrastructure and technological backbone.

He anticipates the creation of an independent financial institution, not governed by the state, focused on investing in projects that will drive economic growth, create jobs, and enhance national security. The author underscores that enhancing transportation, energy infrastructures, and broadband networks will not only foster innovation but also reduce running costs, thereby raising the quality of life throughout the country.

The United States must undertake a thorough overhaul of its governmental and defense systems to effectively counter China's extensive approach to conflict.

Spalding advocates for a thorough restructuring of the United States' administrative and defense systems to effectively counter the sophisticated threats arising from China's comprehensive approach to warfare. He contends that the complexities of contemporary conflicts are not sufficiently addressed by conventional national security frameworks, necessitating a more dynamic, cohesive, and anticipatory strategy.

To ensure national security, it is imperative for the United States to focus on protecting its cyber infrastructure, strengthening its economic resilience, and skillfully handling conflicts in the information domain as fundamental components of its comprehensive defense strategy.

Spalding contends that to protect the nation, the United States needs to overhaul its approach by prioritizing the fortification of digital security, bolstering economic robustness, and enhancing the management of information-based disputes. He contends that these often overlooked realms have become essential fields of conflict, necessitating a commitment to specialized resources, knowledge, and a cohesive, strategic response.

He suggests creating or greatly enlarging specialized agencies that concentrate on these crucial sectors, providing them with the requisite power, resources, and know-how to counteract China's forceful cyber penetrations, deliberate disruption of economies, and strategically orchestrated misinformation efforts. Spalding emphasizes the need for a unified strategy involving government agencies, corporations, and international partners to develop a strong, joint defense against China's strategies of Unrestricted Warfare.

It is imperative for the United States to strengthen its screening procedures for those seeking to immigrate or enter the financial system, in order to protect its open and accessible nature from being taken advantage of by China.

Spalding underscores the importance of intensifying the examination of immigration and financial inflows to mitigate the strategies employed by China to exploit the openness and easy access of the United States. He argues that the current system is inadequate in identifying and preventing individuals who may serve the interests of the Chinese Communist Party or seek to obtain sensitive technologies and data for harmful purposes.

He recommends enhancing the scrutiny of Chinese students and researchers, as well as bolstering the oversight over capital inflows originating from China into American companies, particularly those operating in sectors crucial to national defense and technological advancement. Spalding argues that these measures are essential to safeguard American innovation, ensure the security of crucial infrastructure, and arrest the ongoing erosion of the country's economic and technological edge.

Other Perspectives

• The strategy of impeding China's advancement may lead to increased global tensions and a potential trade war that could harm both economies and global markets.
• Strengthening commitment to democratic values and global norms could be perceived as imposing Western ideals on other nations, which may not align with their cultural or political values.
• Leading a coalition to enforce international trade rules might be seen as the U.S. pushing its own agenda and could lead to accusations of protectionism or economic imperialism.
• Strengthening internal systems and securing infrastructure could result in increased government spending and potential overreach, raising concerns about privacy and civil liberties.
• Renewing the industrial base and promoting repatriation of manufacturing may not be feasible in the context of globalization and could lead to higher costs for consumers.
• Limiting technological collaboration with China could stifle innovation and hinder scientific progress that benefits from international cooperation.
• Establishing a new agency to channel funds into infrastructure could add bureaucratic complexity and may not guarantee efficient allocation of resources.
• Overhauling governmental and defense systems to counter China's approach to conflict might escalate military tensions and divert resources from other pressing domestic issues.
• Focusing on cyber infrastructure and economic resilience could lead to excessive surveillance and control over the internet, affecting freedom of expression and privacy.
• Enhancing screening procedures for immigration and financial inflows could be seen as xenophobic or discriminatory and may deter talented individuals and beneficial investments from abroad.