Under the Nuclear Shadow (Paperback)

Fiona S. Cunningham

ISBN 10: 0691261032 / ISBN 13: 9780691261034

Published by Princeton University Press, New Jersey, 2025

About this Item

Paperback. How and why China has pursued information-age weapons to gain leverage against its adversariesHow can states use military force to achieve their political aims without triggering a catastrophic nuclear war? Among the states facing this dilemma of fighting limited wars, only China has given information-age weapons such a prominent role. While other countries have preferred the traditional options of threatening to use nuclear weapons or fielding capabilities for decisive conventional military victories, China has instead chosen to rely on offensive cyber operations, counterspace capabilities, and precision conventional missiles to coerce its adversaries. In Under the Nuclear Shadow, Fiona Cunningham examines this distinctive aspect of Chinas postCold War deterrence strategy, developing an original theory of strategic substitution. When crises with the United States highlighted the inadequacy of Chinas existing military capabilities, Cunningham argues, China pursued information-age weapons that promised to rapidly provide credible leverage against adversaries.Drawing on hundreds of original Chinese-language sources and interviews with security experts in China, Cunningham provides a rare and candid glimpse from Beijing into the information-age technologies that are reshaping how states gain leverage in the twenty-first century. She offers unprecedented insights into the trajectory of Chinas military modernization, as she details the strengths and weaknesses of Chinas strategic substitution approach. Under the Nuclear Shadow also looks ahead at the uncertain future of Chinas strategic substitution approach and briefly explores too how other states might seize upon the promise of emerging technologies to address weaknesses in their own military strategies. "How and why China has pursued information-age weapons to gain leverage against its adversaries"--Publisher's website. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780691261034

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Under the Nuclear Shadow (Paperback)
• Publisher: Princeton University Press, New Jersey
• Publication Date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0691261032
• ISBN 13: 9780691261034
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

How and why China has pursued information-age weapons to gain leverage against its adversaries

How can states use military force to achieve their political aims without triggering a catastrophic nuclear war? Among the states facing this dilemma of fighting limited wars, only China has given information-age weapons such a prominent role. While other countries have preferred the traditional options of threatening to use nuclear weapons or fielding capabilities for decisive conventional military victories, China has instead chosen to rely on offensive cyber operations, counterspace capabilities, and precision conventional missiles to coerce its adversaries. In Under the Nuclear Shadow, Fiona Cunningham examines this distinctive aspect of China’s post–Cold War deterrence strategy, developing an original theory of “strategic substitution.” When crises with the United States highlighted the inadequacy of China’s existing military capabilities, Cunningham argues, China pursued information-age weapons that promised to rapidly provide credible leverage against adversaries.

Drawing on hundreds of original Chinese-language sources and interviews with security experts in China, Cunningham provides a rare and candid glimpse from Beijing into the information-age technologies that are reshaping how states gain leverage in the twenty-first century. She offers unprecedented insights into the trajectory of China’s military modernization, as she details the strengths and weaknesses of China’s strategic substitution approach. Under the Nuclear Shadow also looks ahead at the uncertain future of China’s strategic substitution approach and briefly explores too how other states might seize upon the promise of emerging technologies to address weaknesses in their own military strategies.

About the Author

Fiona S. Cunningham is assistant professor of political science at the University of Pennsylvania.