Unrestricted Warfare

China's Master Plan to Destroy America

By: Qiao Liang, Wang Xiangsui

Narrated by: Scott Pollak

Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

A sobering and fascinating study on war in the modern era, Unrestricted Warfare carefully explores strategies that militarily and politically disadvantaged nations might take in order to successfully attack a geopolitical super-power like the United States. American military doctrine is typically led by technology; a new class of weapon or vehicle is developed, which allows or encourages an adjustment in strategy. Military strategists Qiao Liang and Wang Xiangsui argue that this dynamic is a crucial weakness in the American military, and that this blind spot with regard to alternative forms warfare could be effectively exploited by enemies. Unrestricted Warfare concerns the many ways in which this might occur, and, in turn, suggests what the United States might do to defend itself.

The traditional mentality that offensive action is limited to military action is no longer adequate given the range of contemporary threats and the rising costs-both in dollars and lives lost-of traditional warfare. Instead, Liang and Xiangsui suggest the significance of alternatives to direct military confrontation, including international policy, economic warfare, attacks on digital infrastructure and networks, and terrorism. Even a relatively insignificant state can incapacitate a far more powerful enemy by applying pressure to their economic and political systems. Exploring each of these considerations with remarkable insight and clarity, Unrestricted Warfare is an engaging evaluation of our geopolitical future.

©1999 Qiao Liang and Wang Xiangsui (P)2022 Licensing Management, Inc.

The War we’re not trained win

Unrestricted Warfare is a good manuscript that details the character of future war. This has shown how China and US competitors are waging war against the West. This most expensive army is not always guaranteed victory.

Understanding the Chinese approach to war! Why we should pay attention!

American government officials would benefit greatly from the material in this book! It should be required reading for all American government officials.

China needs battle experience...

Overall, an excellent treatise. I could not help but recall the last two PLA battles in 1979 at Mon Cai and Lao Cai. Border crossings with Vietnam. Intrigued, I visited these battle sites in March 2008.
The amazing Vietnamese General Vo Nguyen Giap was preoccupied with putting down Pol Pot and his murderous Khmer Rouge in Phnom Phenh. The PLA was up against the local militia, err...national guard. The PLA, with their superior numbers and firepower got their asses handed to them, turned tailed and fled back to their comforts in Beijing. So much for real combat experience.
This book is comforting because the Chinese wish to swindle the World in all deeds, and products including warfare. This book falls short because blood, sweat and tears do not factor into their concise world view.
The PLA loves saber-rattling, feints and scams. It is what makes them Chinese. Big on talk, failure of Action.

This unwillingness to fight the good fight is presently being played out over the skies of Taiwan. More PLA posturing and chest beating. CCP China knows that if they do in fact attack Taiwan, the Japanese will launch counterstrikes on ALL their cities. The Gurkas to the far west will reclaim Tibet, all lands to Kunming and Chengdu. It is notable that Putin refuses to deliver any S400s to Beijing.
Indian soldiers have a huge grudge to settle due to PLAs stupid actions of 15 June 2020 in the Ladakh Region.
And never count out the hatred that the Vietnamese have for the Chinese. Viet's were wise and have a formidable fighting force, armed with Israeli munitions. Do not discount the innumerable limestone caves north of HaNoi stuffed with Huey's, howitzers, and munitions of all types secured during The American War.
China talks the big walk. And their decrepit government has lost their Mandate from Heaven.

Despite the Original Publication Date, It's Timely

Very insightful. Despite being published a quarter of a century (1998) ago, taken in the context of what is occurring today, events take on a different meaning and purpose if we place them (and analyze them) in the context of the author's thesis in this work. One may disagree, but in light of this work, you must at least consider the possibility. However, remotely, you may want to view events through the lens of the author's definition and analysis presented in this work, the significance and timing of seemingly random re-occurring crises.

A must read for everyone!

This book is written in 1999 and predicts many of the things we observed over the past 20 years - from Chinese hackers wrecking havoc around the world to psychological operations carried against different peoples.

Hard to believe this was written in 1999.

Very prescient view of how war is changing in 21st century. This should be required reading for every politician and military leader.

China has intelligent Warriors

Never Underestimate your enemies the Chinese have a long history of being great Warriors and the American people better wake up before it’s too late

Nice

Even though this booked is dated (1998), its future vision accuracy and relevance is spot on for 2023 and beyond. In a nutshell, the upcoming wars will be interesting, broader, and very unpleasant.

Belatedly essential reading in 2023

It's a pity this impressive work remained under the radar so long that the extensive references to the Persian Gulf War and Operation Desert Storm may make it seem dated now. Developments in technology and geopolitics in the ensuing years have only served to confirm its foresightedness. This English translation of abstract concepts originally written in Mandarin and sprinkled with Chinese idiomatic and poetic references does not make for the easiest audio book reading, and the presentation gets a bit laborious in places. But no one wanting to understand the increasingly complex dimensions of warfare in our present day should miss this book.

Explaining the last 20 years of Chinas advancement

This book can be a little overwhelming with its jargon. But its premise and overall content highlight how the world around us has been being affected by the Chinese and their implementation of these principles. This book should be required reading for those in the military realm, intelligence, technology, finance, media relations, and our elected officials at all levels. Not that everyone will see or understand what is said but the knowledge will become evident as time progresses and you see it more in application.