For many reasons, much of the American strategic community discounts the idea of China’s peaceful rise or peaceful development altogether. Instead, there is a deep view that some form of armed conflict or confrontation with Beijing is inevitable—unless, of course, China were to change strategic direction. Under Xi Jinping’s leadership, any such change is deemed to be virtually impossible. In Washington, therefore, the question is no longer whether such confrontation can be avoided, but when it will occur and under what circumstances. And to a large extent, this mirrors the position in Beijing
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