The relationship between the United States and China has been a key issue for the past several administrations. The panel will evaluate the U.S. strategy of assembling a network of like-minded nations in the region to help counterbalance Beijing’s saber-rattling around Taiwan and territorial claims in the South China Sea. How is U.S. foreign military aid reflecting those nations’ needs, and how can Washington ensure continued access to strategic locales while maintaining freedom of navigation in the oceans?​

Growing technological advancements, such as AI, machine learning and anti-access/area-denial capabilities, are creating dilemmas for the U.S. military in executing logistics operations, particularly in the Indo-Pacific theater. The Pentagon needs to be equipped for executing long-range precision strikes, penetrating anti-access/area-denial capabilities and ensuring resilient logistics. To meet these challenges, there’s now increased pressure to overhaul the DOD’s business practices to fuel innovation, test new technologies and implement them with fewer bureaucratic hurdles.

Propaganda has always played a significant role in times of conflict. In today’s geopolitical climate, few near-peer nations are more postured to wage an information war — notably, through state-sponsored social media campaigns — than China. How is the U.S. military preparing for such strategic initiatives, whether it be through educating junior enlisted on the content they consume or major division-level measures to guard against this brand of infiltration. Furthermore, how will the U.S. government move to counter China’s attempts at swaying the American public?​

The U.S. is facing obstacles with both funding and the reliability of the domestic shipbuilding industry as the U.S. Navy looks to expand its fleet of battle-force ships and remain competitive with China, which is poised to overtake the Navy in terms of maritime might. U.S. The panel will discuss the Navy’s plan for a fleet buildup, as well as evaluate the issues inside the U.S. shipbuilding industry and how the U.S. might rely on allies, such as Japan and South Korea, for ship deliveries. Additionally, recent reports suggest the Navy has been behind schedule in modernization and maintenance efforts, thereby hampering the transport of expeditionary Marines.