NDC Outlook 06-2026, Strategy Series, by Veronica Strina1
Summary
Education lies at the heart of China’s grand strategy as it advances its global ambitions and reshapes strategic competition in nontraditional security terms, compelling NATO to rethink the ‘China challenge’ beyond the military domain.
China is racing at unprecedented speed to become a global education superpower, fuelling its scientific and technological dominance. Yet deep-seated structural weaknesses within its socio-educational system, together with mounting international mistrust, risk slowing its ascent.
NATO in its education and training institutions would be well placed to cultivate the critical thinking necessary for securing the intellectual edge.
NDC Public Affairs Office
Veronica Strinai
NDC PhD Eisenhower Fellow from March to July 2025. 1↩︎
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN