Strategic Stability and the Rebuilding of Xi’s Military
Xi Jinping has purged much of the People’s Liberation Army’s senior command and is rebuilding it while preserving the appearance of uninterrupted strength. The United States shifted from warning of an imminent Taiwan invasion to embracing a “constructive relationship of strategic stability,” giving Beijing cover during the purge. The purge has degraded the command structure: only six of 27 full general or admiral posts have a confirmed occupant.
Why it matters: The purge and the truce show that strategic stability is being used as cover while Beijing rebuilds its military command.