A Russian Mi-24 flies over Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq
Photo by Spc. Alan Moos/U.S. Army
Arroyo research analyzes the strategies, capabilities, and intentions of potential U.S. adversaries to help anticipate and counter their actions.
Arroyo's work encompasses a comprehensive analysis of international military dynamics, focusing on the strategic maneuvers of major powers like China and Russia. Researchers have explored China's efforts to expand its global security footprint through international access agreements, strategically extending the reach of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). They assessed the potential peacetime and wartime utility of China's overseas bases, and the implications for U.S. military strategy. A framework of 17 indicators was developed to evaluate host nations from China's perspective, considering both desirability and feasibility. This kind of analysis provides strategic recommendations for the U.S. government and military to understand and prioritize risks associated with China's overseas ambitions.
Another set of projects examines Russia's military engagements and strategic behavior, particularly in potential U.S. entanglements in areas like Syria and Libya. These studies explore the motivations behind external states' military support in civil wars, with case studies on China, Iran, and Russia. Additional research examines the historical military interventions of China and Russia, as well as their evolving bilateral relations, to highlight implications for U.S. policy and military posture. By understanding Russia's grand strategy, these projects aim to help U.S. decisionmakers anticipate Moscow's actions, manage escalation risks, and avoid strategic surprises.
