Book Review: Stealth War: How China Took Over While America's Elite Slept

Book Review

By Madalsa Jain

Brigadier General Robert Spalding has demonstrated exemplary bravery by divulging the methodologies employed by the Communist Party of China (CCP) to achieve worldwide influence and domination. Furthermore, he has censured the American elites for their preference towards personal gains and profits over the greater good of the world. His revelations offer a clear insight into the CCP's insidious strategies and emphasize the need for the United States to prioritize the global welfare over self-interest. In the list of people that the author has held accountable for this oversight and complacency, are big names like Joe Biden, Hunter Biden and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. He has revealed the multiple political implications and intricate behind-the-curtain agreements that have led to the CCP gaining more influence, more control and more power in the internal workings of the United States of America (USA). All of this has been termed as a ‘Stealth War’ by the author.

“The CCP has engaged in a beautiful competition to gain control and influence across the planet – and to achieve that outcome without resorting to military engagement.”

Brigadier General Robert Spalding has mentioned a 1999 work called Unrestricted Warfare written by Qiao Liang and Wang Xiangsui, two senior Colonels in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and has called it one of the most important philosophical and strategic books about warfare in our generation because it has acted as a rulebook for the CCP, in the last decade. If not military engagement, what has the CCP resorted to? Economic engagement and power.

Brigadier General Robert Spalding’s insightful book ‘Stealth War’ is a case study as much as it is an exposé. He has delved into each sphere of influence through which the CCP aims for global influence and world domination; the economy, the military, global diplomacy, technology, education and infrastructure. The author has illustrated various examples and cases in different spheres to demonstrate how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been surreptitiously accumulating wealth, which it subsequently employs for multiple purposes such as investing in development projects in developing countries. These investments, in turn, confer greater influence and power in those nations, as evidenced by the Hambanthota International Port project in Sri Lanka.

"Stealth War" is a book that everyone should read, regardless of their interest in international relations, diplomacy, or US-China relations. The author demonstrates how China's actions affect individuals, society, and governments worldwide. In the final chapters of the book, including "Sino Solutions: How to Combat and Stop China's Stealth War" and "Beating China at its Own Game," the author emphasizes the importance of raising awareness. One of the recommendations given by the author included creating a campaign to inform citizens of how US Dollars are being used against their interests and how important it is to revive manufacturing again in the USA since it will boost local economy, create employment and overall make better citizens’ standard of living.

Stealth War is divided into eleven chapters. The first and the second chapter only define what ‘stealth war’ and ‘unrestricted warfare’ are and how the American elites (politicians, businessmen and Wall Street investors) have allowed the CCP to gain as much power and influence as it has today. Chapter 3 to Chapter 9 mention various areas in which the CCP wants to gain and exercise influence and the ways they go about it. These chapters also mention case studies and examples of how CCP has illegally and dishonestly annihilated competitors, used diaspora as a tool of influence and violated international law and international trade norms to establish its market presence and influence (Ex: China is the world’s leading producer of seafood because it sends fishing vessels around the world to raid coastal waters of weaker states.) Lastly, Chapter 10 and 11 mention recommendations and suggestions for the governments to stop the CCP’s agenda and to re-take control of their US Dollars, manufacturing sector, IP protections etc. to limit CCP’s growing power.

Brigadier General Robert Spalding’s book is easy to read and comprehensible. It is an important piece of work that brings to light the covert and hidden ways in which CCP has ensured its ever-increasing power and global presence and how most of these methods and processes are illegal and against the norms of free market, free trade and fundamental freedoms. The author has mentioned multiple times that CCP considers the fundamental rights and freedoms to be a direct threat to its agenda and uses censorship, social credit schemes and surveillance as tools to ensure complete compliance and obedience towards its agenda. Stealth War is an extremely relevant and informative book which highlights the urgency of stopping China’s methods of gaining power and lays down procedures through which that can be achieved.

In his book, Brigadier General Robert Spalding expresses certain concerns that may appear to be unfounded at times. Specifically, he emphasizes how the American elite, who could potentially limit the rise of China, have been selfish, ignorant, and complacent. This assertion may seem incredulous, as it is improbable that the entire nation would be unaware of China's stealth war, and that no measures were taken to limit China's influence despite the knowledge that US Dollars were being utilized for this purpose. However, the author substantiates his claims with examples and cases, further supporting his arguments. Moreover, the author was terminated from his position in the National Security Council after his proposals on Chinese influence and new 5G technology were leaked to the press. Consequently, while the author may appear to be overly paranoid at times, readers may realize that there is adequate reason for such concerns, and it is imperative to raise awareness about the ways in which the Chinese Communist Party is expanding its influence.

While this book seems to be ahead of its time, it is arguable that it is, in fact, late. The CCP has been working covertly for a very long time and it is high time that people become aware of the same so that they can push for policy changes across different nations which would help limit the global dominance of CCP. It is highly commendable that the author has written about this in such a highly convincing manner that would further help educate the masses.

“We must stop China’s power grab at all costs or prepare to live in a society where the government can arrest you for holding the very book you hold in your hands.”

Disclaimer: This paper is the author's individual scholastic contribution and does not necessarily reflect the organization's viewpoint.

Madalsa Jain is a first year MA student at OP Jindal Global University. Her research interest include international relations, international law, geopolitical and security issues etc. She completed her bachelor's in Law (BALLB) .