On March 21, TX Hammes, nonresident senior fellow at Forward Defense, published an issue brief through the Atlantic Council, entitled ‘Chinese exploitation of overseas ports and bases’ in which he detailed the threat posed by aggressive Chinese investment strategies globally to US national security. Further, Hammes argues the inability to react to recent Chinese actions will strengthen China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) ability to challenge US naval supremacy, which will increase their chances of victory in a future armed conflict.

Forward Defense leads the Atlantic Council’s US and global defense programming, developing actionable recommendations for the United States and its allies and partners to compete, innovate, and navigate the rapidly evolving character of warfare. Through its work on US defense policy and force design, the military applications of advanced technology, space security, strategic deterrence, and defense industrial revitalization, it informs the strategies, policies, and capabilities that the United States will need to deter, and, if necessary, prevail in major-power conflict.