The New Pacing Threats: Opportunistic and Coordinated Aggression

Adversary cooperation and opportunism is growing to such an extent between China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran that it is no longer sufficient label China “the pacing threat.” Instead, the United States should adopt a strategy of pacing the threats of opportunistic and coordinated aggression.

Matthew R. Costlow is a Senior Analyst at the National Institute for Public Policy. He was previously a staff member of the 2023 Strategic Posture Commission and 2018 National Defense Strategy Commission. He previously served as a Special Assistant in the Office of Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy, Office of the Secretary of Defense.

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