Robert Spalding

Robert Spalding is a retired United States Air Force brigadier general and former senior director for strategic planning at the National Security Council. He has emerged as a prominent voice on U.S.-China relations, technology policy, and national security strategy. During his military career, Spalding served as Defense Attaché and senior Defense Official at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, providing him with direct insight into Chinese military and political operations. His expertise in Chinese affairs and strategic competition has made him a frequent contributor to national policy discussions. Spalding gained wider public recognition with the publication of his books "Stealth War: How China Took Over While America's Elite Slept" (2019) and "War Without Rules: China's Playbook for Global Domination" (2022). These works examine China's non-military methods of expanding global influence and the challenges posed to Western democracies. As a thought leader in national security, Spalding has advocated for increased awareness of economic and technological vulnerabilities in U.S. infrastructure, particularly concerning 5G networks and supply chain dependencies. He currently serves as CEO of SEMPRE, a technology company focused on secure communications infrastructure.

Readers view Spalding's work as detailed insider accounts of China's global influence tactics, drawing on his military and diplomatic experience. Readers appreciate: - Direct firsthand knowledge from his time as Defense Attaché in Beijing - Clear explanations of complex geopolitical concepts - Specific examples and evidence supporting his claims - Practical recommendations for addressing vulnerabilities Common criticisms: - Some readers find the tone alarmist - Limited discussion of potential solutions - Repetitive points between his books - Occasional oversimplification of nuanced issues Ratings across platforms: Amazon: "Stealth War" 4.7/5 (1,800+ reviews) "War Without Rules" 4.6/5 (900+ reviews) Goodreads: "Stealth War" 4.2/5 (1,200+ ratings) "War Without Rules" 4.3/5 (400+ ratings) Representative review: "Spalding provides crucial context from his time in China, though the urgency of his message sometimes overshadows balanced analysis." - Amazon reviewer

Stealth War: How China Took Over While America's Elite Slept (2019) Documents China's non-military strategies for expanding global influence through economic, technological, and political means while avoiding direct confrontation.

War Without Rules: China's Playbook for Global Domination (2022) Examines China's unconventional warfare tactics and their impact on international systems and Western democratic institutions.

Peter Navarro Served as Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy during the Trump administration and wrote extensively about U.S.-China economic relations. His books "Death by China" and "The Coming China Wars" cover similar themes to Spalding's work regarding Chinese industrial and economic strategy.

Michael Pillsbury Former Pentagon official and China specialist who has advised multiple presidential administrations on Chinese affairs. His book "The Hundred-Year Marathon" examines China's long-term strategy to supplant American global leadership through various means.

Bill Gertz National security journalist who has written extensively about Chinese military developments and espionage operations targeting the United States. His work in "Deceiving the Sky" and "The China Threat" aligns with Spalding's focus on Chinese technological and military advancement.

Gordon Chang Writer and commentator specializing in Asia-Pacific affairs and U.S.-China relations. His analyses of Chinese economic and political developments in "The Coming Collapse of China" parallel Spalding's examination of Chinese strategy and influence operations.

Richard McGregor Former Financial Times bureau chief in Beijing who has written about Chinese Communist Party operations and power structures. His book "The Party" provides detailed analysis of China's political system and decision-making processes that complement Spalding's strategic assessments.