Book SummaryStealth War, by Robert Spalding

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Stealth War

China employs a blend of economic, technological, and military strategies to expand its global influence.

China is diligently and continuously striving to reshape the international balance of power to its advantage, seeking supremacy by leveraging its economic might, advancements in technology, and the strategic application of diplomatic sway. This pervasive attack has been covertly progressing over time, exploiting the openness of Western societies to further an agenda that threatens democratic freedoms worldwide.

Beijing consistently wages a comprehensive campaign of conflict aimed at undermining Western establishments and promoting its autocratic objectives.

Spalding reveals how China deviates from traditional armed confrontation by employing a sophisticated strategy, which was initially presented by two colonels of China's People's Liberation Army in their 1999 work titled "unrestricted warfare." Spalding contends that this approach goes beyond traditional combat methods, including undermining economic stability, appropriating technological innovations, interfering in political affairs, and utilizing cyber tactics to assert control without engaging in open warfare.

China employs its financial clout, technological progress, and diplomatic leverage to subtly erode democratic freedoms and expand its global reach.

Spalding provides a thorough analysis of how China employs its economic influence to subtly erode democratic freedoms and expand its authoritarian influence globally. China employs a strategy aimed at boosting its economy while simultaneously weakening the economic base of Western countries through meticulous management of its currency, imposing restrictions on capital transfers across its borders, and participating in trade with competitively priced goods that are deemed to be unfairly competitive. Spalding highlights the considerable imbalance in trade, with the allure of accessing the vast Chinese market attracting Western capital, yet these investments often fall prey to the manipulative power and sway of the Chinese Communist Party.

The writer warns of the rapid advancements in technology achieved by China, which have been significantly driven by the continuous and frequently unauthorized acquisition of foreign technologies. China rapidly closed the gap in technological prowess through cyber espionage, enforced transfer of technical expertise, and exerting influence on Western educational institutions. The initiative known as Made in China 2025 aims to position the country at the forefront of key sectors including artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced wireless technologies, which could threaten the current technological dominance of Western countries. According to Spalding, the quest for technological dominance is not solely driven by economic goals but additionally functions as a tactical tool designed to control the flow of information, enhance monitoring capabilities, and shape the core elements of modern society to mirror its authoritarian model.

China engages in the systematic procurement of technologies from abroad, infringes on intellectual property rights, and participates in activities that skew global trade and investment, consequently undermining the economic well-being of Western countries.

Spalding emphasizes the range of tactics used by China, including coercive strategies, deceptive actions, and outright theft, as part of their strategic approach to acquire technologies from other countries. He discloses that to conduct business within China, global corporations are often pressured into divulging their technological breakthroughs, usually through confidential and non-transparent agreements. China has rapidly acquired crucial technologies through mandatory transfers and extensive cyber spying on Western businesses and academic institutions, thereby circumventing the costs of developing them independently.

The writer also discloses the methods by which China capitalizes on global commerce and financial commitments for its advantage. He underscores the country's blatant disregard for international standards on intellectual property rights, the flooding of markets with inexpensive counterfeit goods, and the intentional manipulation of its currency's value to gain an unfair advantage. This hostile behavior, underscored by Spalding, undermines Western enterprises and distorts the equilibrium of fair competition, thereby altering the global economic landscape.

China is rapidly building up its military capabilities, including advanced weapons and a growing naval force, to challenge American military superiority

Spalding expresses concern as he observes China's swift enhancement of its military capabilities, which poses a threat to America's longstanding supremacy in military strength. He sheds light on the strategy of enhancing military prowess through the development of long-range missiles, which is aimed at...

Stealth War Summary China progresses toward its goals by taking advantage of Western societies' open nature, utilizing strategies that include digital combat, extensive monitoring, and manipulation of information.

Spalding examines how China exploits Western liberal policies through cyber aggression, information control, and extensive surveillance to advance its goals and suppress dissent. He meticulously outlines the strategy by which the ruling party of China employs information as a key element of its all-encompassing warfare tactics, using digital means both domestically and internationally to maintain its authoritarian grip and simultaneously erode the foundations of democracy in other nations.

China utilizes its cyber capabilities to covertly obtain intellectual property, undermine critical systems, and manage information dissemination.

Spalding provides startling revelations based on his experience, describing the relentless efforts of China's cyber warfare divisions to collect sensitive data, undermine critical infrastructure, and dominate the global flow of information. The author describes how the digital domain has become a key element in the Chinese Communist Party's strategy for multifaceted warfare, employing a vast network of People's Liberation Army-trained hackers, state-supported cyber agents, and patriotic volunteers to achieve its goals.

Chinese digital...

Stealth War Summary 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...

Stealth War Summary 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...