Deterring Aggression by Major Power Adversaries: Insights from Wargaming and Analysis

Abstract: This briefing summarizes findings from wargames and related analyses that examine the operational challenges posed by the nation's principal state adversaries—China and Russia. The briefing offers judgments about the ability of current and programmed U.S. forces and operating concepts to defeat large-scale aggression by both adversaries and suggestions for strengthening U.S. and allied deterrent and defense postures.

Bio: David Ochmanek is a senior defense analyst at RAND. From 2009 until 2014 he was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Development. Prior to joining the Office of the Secretary of Defense, he was a senior defense analyst and director of the Strategy and Doctrine Program for Project Air Force at the RAND Corporation, where he worked from 1985 until 1993, and again from 1995 until 2009. From 1993 until 1995, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy. Prior to joining RAND, Mr. Ochmanek was a member of the Foreign Service of the United States, serving from 1980 to 1985. From 1973 to 1978, he was an officer in the United States Air Force. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. He is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University.