May 25, 2022

Wargame offers lessons for Defense Department

An operational wargame called “Dangerous Straits: Battle for Taiwan 2027,” led by the Gaming Lab at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), presents a scenario where China has just attacked Taiwan in the year 2027.

  • Becca Wasser, fellow for the Defense Program at CNAS and co-lead of The Gaming Lab, said no one felt like they had won or lost at the end of the game, suggesting a conflict between China and the United States could be long and drawn out.
  • The game’s U.S. team was trying to protect its homeland and defend Taiwan, and the China team was trying to forcibly unify with Taiwan and protect Chinese leaders and territory.
  • Wasser listed some recommendations for the Pentagon that came out of the game, such as the need for better forward presence and posture and stronger operational and strategic planning with allies and partners.

Watch the full video from Government Matters.

  • Reports
    • March 13, 2025
    Safe and Effective

    Executive Summary With each passing year, the promise of artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy to change the character of war inches closer to reality. This technology wil...

    By Josh Wallin

  • Commentary
    • March 13, 2025
    Sharper: Military Artificial Intelligence

    Since the atomic bomb, no technology has the potential to be as disruptive to warfare as artificial intelligence (AI). AI could deliver instant targeting solutions, develop hi...

    By Charles Horn

  • Commentary
    • Foreign Affairs
    • March 10, 2025
    America’s Eroding Airpower

    To have a chance at success, the United States would need more low-end drones and missiles that can provide it with mass....

    By Stacie Pettyjohn

  • Video
    • February 27, 2025
    Maritime Domain Lessons from Russia-Ukraine | Conflict in Focus

    In this week's Conflict in Focus episode, Dr. Stacie Pettyjohn, senior fellow and director of the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security, discusses the key ...

    By Stacie Pettyjohn

View All Reports View All Articles & Multimedia