Lessons from the Pentagon: Strategic Competition with China
In a critical address delivered at the esteemed Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks articulated four essential lessons for U.S. strategic competition with China. Her speech, titled “Outpacing the PRC: Lessons Learned for Strategic Competition,” underscored the importance of strategic focus, effective execution, leveraging competitive advantages, and the implications of language and actions in diplomacy.
Staying Focused on Priorities
One of the key takeaways from Hicks’s address was the importance of maintaining a laser focus on top priorities, particularly given the longstanding challenge posed by China. She emphasized that the concern regarding China’s military expansion is not a new phenomenon, with U.S. defense policymakers tracking the communist nation’s ambitions for a modern military over the past quarter-century. Hicks highlighted that current leaders must commit to building on the efforts of their predecessors across political lines, ensuring an alignment of strategy and resources that addresses the evolving threat landscape.
Successfully navigating the complexities of modern geopolitical dynamics requires rigorous alignment of ends, ways, and means to ensure that defense strategies remain effective. Hicks stressed that it is the duty of senior decision-makers to drive necessary changes and adaptations from the top if a strategy begins to falter.
The Imperative of Execution and Delivery
Execution and delivery of military capabilities were central themes in Hicks’s remarks. She outlined the relentless pursuit of modernization and innovation within U.S. military forces, showcasing examples of advancements crafted during the ongoing strategic competition with China. Hicks stated, “From day one, we’ve focused relentlessly on driving changes needed to outpace the PRC,” illustrating how these improvements have contributed to a more lethal, agile, and adaptable fighting force.
However, Hicks also highlighted the pressing challenge posed by China’s ability to rapidly adapt and enhance their own military capacities through means such as intellectual property theft. This reality makes it critical for the U.S. to meticulously safeguard its technological advantages and be cautious in what it reveals to avoid enabling rival nations to catch up.
Leveraging Competitive Advantages
Hicks turned attention to the robust network of alliances that the United States has fostered globally, which serve as a significant force multiplier in the strategic competition against China. By demonstrating solidarity and collaboration with allies, the U.S. enhances its defensive posture. She cited the recent naval operations involving ships from allied nations transiting through the Taiwan Strait, illustrating how such demonstrations send a clear message to Beijing about the shared commitment to stability, prosperity, and democratic values among like-minded nations.
On the domestic front, Hicks remarked on the Department of Defense’s (DOD) collaborative efforts with various sectors, including government, industry, and academia. These partnerships play a crucial role in fostering innovation and ensuring that the U.S. military remains at the forefront of technological advancements.
The Importance of Words and Actions
One of the more nuanced lessons Hicks presented was the significance of being attentive to one’s language and actions, particularly within the context of U.S.-China relations. She urged that U.S. operations and messaging must not inadvertently provoke aggression from China. Rather, the goal is to establish deterrence—a stance that maintains peace while remaining prepared for potential conflict.
Hicks underscored the need for both nations to work diligently to prevent misunderstandings that might lead to escalated tensions. She articulated the strategic balancing act that the U.S. faces: being prepared for war while striving to avoid it.
A Legacy of Progress
As Hicks nears the end of her tenure as deputy defense secretary, she expressed her pride in the advancements made within the DOD over the past four years. Her call for continuous progress resonates with many who stand guard over national security. Hicks concluded her address by expressing her hopes for her successors, emphasizing the importance of building on existing strengths and supporting those who defend the nation.
In her powerful closing remarks, Kathleen Hicks reinforced her faith in the commitment of the men and women in uniform and the entire defense community, leaving behind an enduring message about the strategic imperatives facing the United States in its competition with China. The lessons articulated serve as critical guideposts as the nation continues to navigate a complex and evolving global landscape.