The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) has recently published a policy brief titled "Resisting China’s Gray Zone Military Pressure on Taiwan." The document scrutinizes the methods employed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to apply military and security operations in the "gray zone," thereby intensifying pressure on Taiwan.

According to a CNAS press release, Jacob Stokes, a senior fellow in CNAS’s Indo-Pacific Security Program, claims in the report that the PRC utilizes the gray zone military pressure strategy for several reasons. These include intimidation, combat training for the People’s Liberation Army, wearing down Taiwan’s military, and establishing a "new normal" in the Taiwan Strait.

CNAS' press release quotes from the report: "China’s gray zone military and security pressure takes many forms and serves multiple aims. Finding ways to resist and counter such pressure on Taiwan is important in the near term, given the upcoming presidential election and transition on the self-governing island." Stokes concludes his brief with suggestions for policymakers in both Taiwan and the United States on how they can withstand this pressure.

As stated on CNAS’ website, Stokes has written numerous reports for CNAS. These include "Atomic Strait: How China's Nuclear Buildup Shapes Security Dynamics with Taiwan and the United States," and as co-author, "U.S.-China Competition and Military AI: How Washington Can Manage Strategic Risks amid Rivalry with Beijing." Stokes has held various Asia-focused advisory roles within both White House and Congress. He also served as a senior analyst in the China program at the U.S. Institute of Peace and with the National Security Network.