Andrew Erickson, a Professor of Strategy at the Naval War College, published an insightful article on December 9, 2024, discussing the complexities of studying China under Xi Jinping's increasingly restrictive regime. He points to the recent fall of Admiral Miao Hua as a pivotal event that underscores the tightening controls within the Chinese political landscape. Erickson emphasizes the urgent need for innovative research methodologies to adapt to the restricted access to data from China, which has become a significant challenge for scholars and analysts alike.
In a related context, the CIA's Studies in Intelligence journal featured an article by Jonah Victor in September 2024, which delves into the Intelligence Community's ongoing difficulties in analyzing China, a nation that has been classified as a hard target since 1949. Avril Haines, the Director of National Intelligence, has labeled China as the Intelligence Community's 'unparalleled priority,' reflecting the heightened focus on understanding this complex geopolitical player. CIA Director William Burns has also noted a doubling of the budget allocated for China-related intelligence, indicating the urgency of the situation.
Additionally, a publication from the SAIS China Research Center, edited by Andrew Mertha and released on October 11, 2024, compiles insights from leading scholars on how to adapt historical analytical tools to meet current research challenges. This collection serves as a resource for researchers grappling with the evolving landscape of Chinese politics and the implications for international relations. Together, these developments highlight the pressing need for adaptive strategies in the study of China amidst its closing political environment. [c5af168b]