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Chinese evolving approaches to nuclear “war-fighting”: an emerging Intense US-China security dilemma and threats to crisis stability in the Asia Pacific

Johnson, James ORCID: 0000-0002-5203-8583 (2018) Chinese evolving approaches to nuclear “war-fighting”: an emerging Intense US-China security dilemma and threats to crisis stability in the Asia Pacific. Asian Security, 15 (3). pp. 215-232. ISSN 1479-9855

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Abstract

This article argues that current passive and static conceptualizations of Chinese approaches to nuclear and conventional deterrence are no longer appropriate. Recent evidence indicates that these postures are far more integrated, flexible, and dynamic than Beijing’s official rhetoric suggests, and that during the past decade a de facto shift toward a limited nuclear war-fighting posture has already taken place. By applying an International Relations (IR) structural-realist lens to conceptualize a relatively under-researched discourse that relates to recent indications that China is contemplating the deployment of nuclear weapons for war-fighting (or victory-denial) purposes. A radical doctrinal shift of this kind (or even the perception of one) could presage a paradigm shift in China’s long-standing nuclear posture and the nuclear balance in Asia.

Item Type:Article (Published)
Refereed:Yes
Additional Information:This article is derived from a chapter in a book authored by James Johnson, ‘The U.S.-China Military & Defense Relationship during the Obama Presidency’ published by Palgrave Macmillan May 2018, reproduced with permission of Palgrave Macmillan, available online: https://www.palgrave.com/9783319758374
Uncontrolled Keywords:China; United States; deterrence; structuralism; realism
Subjects:Social Sciences > International relations
Social Sciences > Political science
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Humanities and Social Science > School of Law and Government
Publisher:Taylor & Francis
Official URL:https://doi.org/10.1080/14799855.2018.1443915
Copyright Information:© 2018 Taylor & Francis
Use License:This item is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License. View License
ID Code:25555
Deposited On:24 Feb 2021 11:23 by James Johnson . Last Modified 24 Feb 2021 11:23

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