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.

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