Download Annual Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community April 9 2021
The relatively succinct unclassified Report by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) (not to be confused with the Director of Central Intelligence) gives a tour d'horizon of US national threats as currently perceived by the entire U.S. Intelligence Community. The China Threat, now regarded as America's top threat - is summarized in the introductory paragraph in the China section -
"The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will continue its whole-of-government efforts to spread China’s influence, undercut that of the United States, drive wedges between Washington and its allies and partners, and foster new international norms that favor the authoritarian Chinese system. Chinese leaders probably will, however, seek tactical opportunities to reduce tensions with Washington when such opportunities suit their interests. China will maintain its major innovation and industrial policies because Chinese leaders see this strategy as necessary to reduce dependence on foreign technologies, enable military advances, and sustain economic growth and thus ensure the CCP’s survival."
The Report ticks all the relevant boxes. Apart from the usual zero-sum binary mindset, reference to "CCP's survival" at the end of the above introduction seems to miss the main reason for the CCP's durability.
Among governments across the globe in terms of people's support, the CCP scores top ranking, even multiple ranks above the United States. This has been achieved by dramatically improving people's livelihood and aspirations over decades under its stewardship, as highlighted in a Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center Report of July 2020.
Separately, there is a total absence of analysis on China's massive footprint in Africa, even in the extremely brief section on Africa. Regardless of the ODNI's priorities, this misses the full global picture of China's growing clout in the African continent which is blessed with the world's youngest and most dynamic population as well as a cornucopia of natural resources.
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