Alyssa Agard: China’s System Destruction Strategy

About this episode

Alyssa Agard discusses China's system destruction strategy and its implications for deterrence and strategic stability.

NucleCast welcomes, emerging scholar Alyssa Agard who talks about Chinese strategic thinking, system destruction warfare , and what these concepts mean for the future of deterrence and strategic stability. Drawing on Chinese military theory, the discussion explores how Beijing approaches conflict—not by matching capabilities symmetrically, but by targeting critical systems to destabilize adversaries from the outset. Agard breaks down how the People’s Liberation Army integrates artificial intelligence, hypersonics, and other advanced technologies into its military strategy, and why these developments complicate traditional deterrence models. The conversation also examines the security dilemma created by rapid technological competition and whether China’s current military posture is as stable as it appears. Beyond strategy and technology, this episode highlights the importance of cultivating the next generation of defense thinkers. Agard shares her own path into defense policy and explains why recruiting and mentoring young professionals is essential to sustaining credible deterrence in an era of accelerating change. Alyssa Agard is the Chairman, President, and CEO of Agard…

People in this episode

Guest: Alyssa Agard

Topics covered

• Chinese strategic thinking
• system destruction warfare
• deterrence
• strategic stability
• military technology
• defense policy
• mentoring young professionals

Keywords

• China
• system destruction warfare
• deterrence
• military strategy
• artificial intelligence
• hypersonics
• defense policy
• technological competition

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Agard Research Associates Inc., Rutgers University, People’s Liberation Army

Places: China, New Jersey

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