Michael S. Chase
Michael S. Chase is a senior political scientist at RAND, a professor at the Pardee RAND Graduate School, and an adjunct professor in the China Studies and Strategic Studies Departments at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, D.C.
Contact Michael S. Chase
Articles by Michael S. Chase
Chinese Views on the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review, and Their Implications
The 2018 U.S. Nuclear Posture Review (NPR), released in February, appears to be focused mainly on the challenges presented by Russian nuclear weapons and strategy. Nonetheless, the document also has
Xi’s Consolidation of Power at the 19th Party Congress: Implications for PLA Aerospace Forces
China’s paramount leader, Xi Jinping, has emerged from the recent 19th Party Congress stronger than at least his past two predecessors. Xi solidified his grip on power by enshrining “Xi
Nuclear Bomber Could Boost PLAAF Strategic Role, Create Credible Triad
Chinese President Xi Jinping has charged the PLA Air Force (PLAAF) with transforming itself into a “powerful people’s air force with integrated air and space and offensive and defensive capabilities”
China Dictates Terms for Sino-Japanese Relations During First Japanese Foreign Minister Visit in Four Years
Japanese Foreign Minister Kishida Fumio’s official visit to Beijing from April 29 to May 1, the first trip to China by a Japanese Foreign Minister since November 2011, represented renewed
China’s Search for a “Strategic Air Force”
Note: This piece is based on a longer article published in The Journal of Strategic Studies that is available for download here and will appear in the print version of
Nuclear Policy Issues in the 2013 Edition of The Science of Military Strategy: Part 2 on PLA Second Artillery Force (PLASAF) Strategy and Capabilities
As highlighted in Beijing’s May 2015 defense white paper, China is modernizing its strategic missile force as part of its focus on strengthening the PLA’s preparation for “winning informationized local
Nuclear Policy Issues in the 2013 Edition of The Science of Military Strategy: Part 1 on Nuclear Policy, Strategy and Force Modernization
This article reviews the discussion of nuclear weapons policy, strategy and force modernization in the 2013 edition of the Science of Military Strategy (SMS), published by the People’s Liberation Army
China’s Strategic Rocket Force: Upgrading Hardware and Software (Part 2 of 2)
Part One of this article covered the modernization of the People’s Liberation Army Second Artillery Force’s (PLASAF) conventional arsenal and the “conventionalization of deterrence”—the creation of doctrines that rely on
China’s Strategic Rocket Force: Sharpening the Sword (Part 1 of 2)
The Second Artillery has made significant progress, particularly in modernizing its hardware, but also operations and training. Its main mission remains deterrence, especially toward U.S. intervention in a regional conflict.
The Democratic Progressive Party’s Defense Policy Blue Papers and the Opposition’s Vision for Taiwan’s National Defense
The Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) “Defense Policy Blue Paper,” could not have come out at a more opportune time for Taiwan’s main opposition party. Less than a month after its
Missile Defense with Chinese Characteristics
On January 27, 2013, China conducted its second mid-course missile defense interceptor test, leading to considerable speculation among Chinese and Western analysts about Beijing’s motives and intentions as well as
The Second Artillery Force in the Xi Jinping Era
New Chinese Communist Party (CCP) General Secretary, Central Military Commission (CMC) Chairman and PRC President Xi Jinping’s early interactions with the PLA Second Artillery Force (PLASAF) have sparked a considerable
The PLA Prepares for Future Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations
China’s Ministry of National Defense recently announced that the first test flight of its Y-20 large transport aircraft took place on January 26. The development and testing of the Y-20
Debating a Rising China’s Role in International Affairs
The newly-promoted Chinese leaders who ascended to power at the 18th Party Congress in November must address a number of important foreign policy issues, one of the most important of
New CMC Vice Chairmen Strong Advocates for Joint, Modern Chinese Military
As the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) underwent its once-a-decade leadership transition at the 18th Party Congress this week, it also made a series of major changes to the top echelon
Jamestown’s Dr. Michael Chase Quoted by The Atlantic
Jamestown's Dr. Michael Chase was quoted in an article by The Atlantic on October 25 titled, "Who Should the Chinese Army Serve - The Part of the State?"
China’s Search for a “New Type of Great Power Relationship”
When Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Cai Yingting spoke with the Chinese media during his visit to Washington in August, he emphasized the
Army Day Coverage Stresses PLA’s Contributions and Party Control
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) celebrates its founding during the 1927 Nanchang Uprising every year on August 1, China’s PLA Day or Army Day. Accordingly, each year on PLA Day,
Waypoint or Destination? The Jin-Class Submarine and China’s Quest for Sea-Based Nuclear Deterrence
After decades of largely unsuccessful effort, China's submarine-based nuclear deterrent finally is taking shape with the Type-094, or Jin-class, nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) and its intended armament, the JL-2
Chinese Nuclear Force Modernization: How Much is Enough?
The modernization of China’s nuclear missile force capabilities has led a number of analysts to ponder the question of “how much is enough” for China. Some have speculated that China
Pivot and Parry: China’s Response to America’s New Defense Strategy
On January 5, 2012, President Barack Obama and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta released new defense strategic guidance, highlighting U.S. national defense priorities and underscoring America’s determination to maintain its
China Assesses President Obama’s November 2011 Asia-Pacific Trip
President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Asia-Pacific trip in November was widely seen as a reaffirmation of America’s commitment to the Asia-Pacific and a clear signal of
“Strong Indignation,” but Limited Retribution: China’s Response to U.S. Arms Sales to Taiwan
On September 21, the Obama administration announced a long-awaited decision on arms sales to Taiwan. As was widely expected, Washington agreed to upgrade Taiwan’s existing F-16A/B fighter aircraft rather than
Fear and Loathing in Beijing? Chinese Suspicion of U.S. Intentions
Recently, a number of Chinese analysts have argued U.S. diplomatic and military actions in the region—including Washington’s efforts to assure allies in response to North Korean attacks, its engagement with
China’s 2010 National Defense White Paper: An Assessment
China released its latest national defense White Paper on March 31. The document, entitled China’s National Defense in 2010, is the seventh that the Chinese government has released since 1998
Defense and Deterrence in China’s Military Space Strategy
China’s theory of space deterrence may be a work in progress, but Beijing is already developing an impressive array of counter-space systems. Indeed, the capabilities that China is working on
Capabilities and Implications of China’s Jiaolong Submersible
In late August the Ministry of Science and Technology and State Oceanic Administration (SOA) of China announced that on July 13 the Jiaolong manned deep-water submersible, which is named for
The U.S.-China Strategic Security Relationship and the Nuclear Posture Review Report
At first glance, the Obama Administration’s long-awaited Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) Report appears to have relatively little to say about China, at least in comparison to its emphasis on the
The Role of U.S. Arms Sales in Taiwan’s Defense Transformation
On January 29, 2010, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced the approval of a major, long-awaited arms sales package for Taiwan. The $6.4 billion deal
The PLA’s Multiple Military Tasks: Prioritizing Combat Operations and Developing MOOTW Capabilities
China’s growing role as a regional and global leader has brought with it increasingly complex and far-reaching political, economic and security interests, as well as new traditional and non-traditional security
Changes in Beijing’s Approach to Overseas Basing?
Although China has traditionally avoided basing its troops abroad, the People's Republic of China's (PRC) growing global interests and its military's evolving missions are leading some Chinese analysts to suggest
China’s SSBN Forces: Transitioning to the Next Generation
China’s undersea deterrent is undergoing a generational change with the emergence of the Type-094, or Jin-class, which represents a substantial improvement over China’s first-generation Type-092, or Xia-class, nuclear-powered ballistic missile
The Future of Chinese Deterrence Strategy
The development of China’s nuclear and conventional missile power has been among the most impressive and most closely watched aspects of Chinese military modernization over the past two decades. During
Chinese Land Attack Cruise Missile Developments and their Implications for the United States
Much scholarly attention has been devoted to China’s rapidly growing ballistic missile force in recent years, but relatively little has been written on China’s development of its land attack cruise
Taiwan’s Defense Budget Dilemma: How Much is Enough in an Era of Improving Cross-Strait Relations?
Recent improvements in cross-Strait relations, highlighted by the agreement to begin regular weekend cross-Strait charter flights and permit for 3,000 Chinese tourists per day to visit Taiwan, may suggest to
PLA Navy Modernization: Preparing for “Informatized” War at Sea
In recent years, senior Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leaders and high-ranking military officers have repeatedly emphasized the importance of naval modernization. Most prominently, CCP General Secretary, President and Central Military
The Kuomintang’s Security Policy and Taiwan’s 2008 Legislative and Presidential Elections
With Taiwan’s 2008 Legislative Yuan (LY) election in January and the presidential elections following in March, the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) has unveiled a security policy platform that reveals a notable
The Kuomintang’s Security Policy and Taiwan’s 2008 Legislative and Presidential Elections
With Taiwan’s 2008 Legislative Yuan (LY) election in January and the presidential elections following in March, the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) has unveiled a security policy platform that reveals a notable
Balancing China’s Budgetary Priorities: Defense Spending and Domestic Challenges
The true level of China’s current defense budget is difficult to calculate, but projecting future trends in Beijing’s military spending entails struggling with even greater uncertainties and complexities. Forecasts of
Balancing China’s Budgetary Priorities: Defense Spending and Domestic Challenges
The true level of China’s current defense budget is difficult to calculate, but projecting future trends in Beijing’s military spending entails struggling with even greater uncertainties and complexities. Forecasts of
China’s Assessment of the War in Iraq: America’s “Deepest Quagmire” and the Implications for Chinese National Security
Chinese analysts assess that the United States has been unable to achieve its strategic objectives in Iraq despite its stunningly rapid victory over the Iraqi armed forces in Operation Iraqi
China’s Assessment of the War in Iraq: America’s “Deepest Quagmire” and the Implications for Chinese National Security
Chinese analysts assess that the United States has been unable to achieve its strategic objectives in Iraq despite its stunningly rapid victory over the Iraqi armed forces in Operation Iraqi
Taiwan’s Han Kuang 23 Military Exercise and the Offensive Counterstrike Debate
The revelation that the command post exercise portion of the Han Kuang 23 exercise featured the use of “tactical shore-based missiles for fire suppression” to attack military targets on the
Taiwan’s Han Kuang 23 Military Exercise and the Offensive Counterstrike Debate
The revelation that the command post exercise portion of the Han Kuang 23 exercise featured the use of “tactical shore-based missiles for fire suppression” to attack military targets on the
China’s 2007 Military Training Guidelines and the PLA’s Evolving Approach to Military Training
Until recently, Chinese military training was widely dismissed as infrequent, unrealistic and overly scripted. In the 1980s and 1990s, outside observers and internal critics alike raised doubts about the utility
China’s 2007 Military Training Guidelines and the PLA’s Evolving Approach to Military Training
Until recently, Chinese military training was widely dismissed as infrequent, unrealistic and overly scripted. In the 1980s and 1990s, outside observers and internal critics alike raised doubts about the utility
Defense Reform and Civilian Control in Taiwan
Acquiring high-tech weapons systems and enlisting U.S. support have been Taiwan’s primary attempts to counter the growing Chinese military threat across the Taiwan Strait. In recent years, however, it has
Defense Reform and Civilian Control in Taiwan
Acquiring high-tech weapons systems and enlisting U.S. support have been Taiwan’s primary attempts to counter the growing Chinese military threat across the Taiwan Strait. In recent years, however, it has
China’s Second Artillery Corps: New Trends in Force Modernization, Doctrine and Training
The transformation of the Second Artillery Corps, which is the arm of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) responsible for most of China’s conventional and nuclear ballistic missiles, is one of
China’s Second Artillery Corps: New Trends in Force Modernization, Doctrine and Training
The transformation of the Second Artillery Corps, which is the arm of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) responsible for most of China’s conventional and nuclear ballistic missiles, is one of
Chinese Special Operations Forces: “Lessons Learned” and Potential Missions
Over the past 10-15 years, China has placed increasing emphasis on the development and improvement of its special operations forces [1]. According to the 2000 U.S. Department of Defense report
Chinese Special Operations Forces: “Lessons Learned” and Potential Missions
Over the past 10-15 years, China has placed increasing emphasis on the development and improvement of its special operations forces [1]. According to the 2000 U.S. Department of Defense report
Taiwan’s Threat Perceptions: Underestimating China’s Capabilities and Intentions?
The official threat assessments that Taiwan has released in recent years reflect the growing concern over China’s military modernization, which is typically portrayed as part of a broader strategic challenge
Taiwan’s Threat Perceptions: Underestimating China’s Capabilities and Intentions?
The official threat assessments that Taiwan has released in recent years reflect the growing concern over China’s military modernization, which is typically portrayed as part of a broader strategic challenge
Taiwan’s Threat Perceptions: Underestimating China’s Capabilities and Intentions?
The official threat assessments that Taiwan has released in recent years reflect the growing concern over China’s military modernization, which is typically portrayed as part of a broader strategic challenge
Taiwan’s Threat Perceptions: Underestimating China’s Capabilities and Intentions?
The official threat assessments that Taiwan has released in recent years reflect the growing concern over China’s military modernization, which is typically portrayed as part of a broader strategic challenge
Chinese Special Operations Forces: “Lessons Learned” and Potential Missions
Over the past 10-15 years, China has placed increasing emphasis on the development and improvement of its special operations forces [1]. According to the 2000 U.S. Department of Defense report
Chinese Special Operations Forces: “Lessons Learned” and Potential Missions
Over the past 10-15 years, China has placed increasing emphasis on the development and improvement of its special operations forces [1]. According to the 2000 U.S. Department of Defense report
China’s Second Artillery Corps: New Trends in Force Modernization, Doctrine and Training
The transformation of the Second Artillery Corps, which is the arm of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) responsible for most of China’s conventional and nuclear ballistic missiles, is one of
Defense Reform and Civilian Control in Taiwan
Acquiring high-tech weapons systems and enlisting U.S. support have been Taiwan’s primary attempts to counter the growing Chinese military threat across the Taiwan Strait. In recent years, however, it has