Specifically, the task force, described by DOD officials as a "sprint effort", has been charged with evaluating:

• strategy;
• operational concepts;
• technology and force structure;
• force posture and force management; and
• intelligence. 

The task force will also be responsible for examining alliances and partnerships, and their impact on Sino-American relations and DOD relations with China.

The 15-member team, led by Ely Ratner, a special assistant to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, will include representatives from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, the services, the combatant commands, and the intelligence community.

The task force is also expected to engage with interagency partners to ensure recommendations align with the Biden administration’s broader China policy. 

The team has been given four months to submit recommendations to senior defense officials.

“China is seeking to overturn the current rules-based structure, which has benefited all nations in the Indo-Pacific region,” a DOD spokesperson said.

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“The United States and its allies seek to continue the free and open environment in the region.

"China is using all elements of national power to bend the nations to its will.”

[Related: Pentagon’s deputy secretary confirmed]

Charbel Kadib

News Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media

Prior to joining the defence and aerospace team in 2020, Charbel was news editor of The Adviser and Mortgage Business, where he covered developments in the banking and financial services sector for three years. Charbel has a keen interest in geopolitics and international relations, graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in politics and journalism. Charbel has also completed internships with The Australian Department of Communications and the Arts and public relations agency Fifty Acres.