CWP alum Joel Wuthnow on 'The China Desk' on his new book 'China’s Military Ambitions: Inside the PLA'

In this compelling episode of The China Desk, host Steve Yates speaks with leading experts Joel Wuthnow and Phillip Saunders about the rise of China's military power. Drawing from their new book China’s Quest for Military Supremacy, the discussion dives deep into the modernization of the PLA, the evolving role of the Chinese Communist Party in military affairs, and what it all means for U.S.-China relations. From nuclear strategy and joint operations to internal corruption and political control, this episode is essential listening for anyone concerned with national security and great power competition. 

Buy 'China's Quest For Military Supremacy': https://www.politybooks.com/bookdetai...  

Listen to the episode:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeK_bXzgBeo 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2pOWxsT... 

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Dr. Joel Wuthnow is a senior research fellow in the Center for the Study of Chinese Military Affairs within the Institute for National Strategic Studies at NDU. His research areas include Chinese foreign and security policy, Chinese military affairs, U.S.-China relations, and strategic developments in East Asia. In addition to his duties in INSS, he also serves as an adjunct professor in the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. 

His recent books and monographs include China’s Quest for Military Supremacy (Polity, 2025, with Phillip C. Saunders), Sea Dragons: Special Operations and Chinese Military Strategy (Naval War College Press, 2025, with John Chen), Crossing the Strait: China’s Military Prepares for War with Taiwan (NDU Press, 2022, lead editor), and Gray Dragons: Assessing China's Senior Military Leadership (NDU Press, 2022). His research and commentary has also appeared in outlets such as Asia Policy, Asian Security, China Leadership Monitor, The China Quarterly, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Joint Force Quarterly, Journal of Contemporary China, Journal of Strategic Studies, Korean Journal of Defense Analysis, Naval War College Review, The New York Times, and in edited volumes. 

Photo Credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeK_bXzgBeo