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Can the Chinese Military Actually Learn?

Lt. General Hooper explores whether the People’s Liberation Army can absorb lessons from conflicts like Ukraine and apply them to doctrine, decision making, and force structure.

by Charles Hooper
Published on December 9, 2025

Is the Chinese military truly capable of learning and adapting to modern warfare? Lt. General Hooper explores whether the People’s Liberation Army can absorb lessons from conflicts like Ukraine and apply them to doctrine, decision making, and force structure. We look at how political control by the Chinese Communist Party shapes military behavior and the tension between party loyalty and professional expertise.

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