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Ratner: The Time Is Right for Joint Action Against China
Herz — World Desk · · 30s summary · 1 min read
The essentials
Ely Ratner, former Indo-Pacific defense strategy chief at the U.S. Department of Defense under Biden, declared in an interview published July 31, 2026 in Neue Zürcher Zeitung that coordinated action against China is now opportune. Ratner argues that Beijing's vulnerabilities are underexploited and that Washington should work closely with allies—a realistic prospect in a post-Trump era. Growing numbers of countries are suffering from China's economic model, he states. However, Asian allies report feeling abandoned by Washington despite repeated commitments to pivot toward the region, with the ongoing Iran conflict illustrating this strategic gap.
- Ratner argues the moment is right for coordinated action against China
- He advocates for stronger U.S.-allied cooperation against Beijing
- More countries are suffering from China's economic model
- Asian allies feel abandoned by Washington despite strategic pledges
- The Iran war shows U.S. difficulty in focusing on Asia
What We Know
Ely Ratner, former Indo-Pacific defense strategy chief at the U.S. Department of Defense under the Biden administration, gave an interview published July 31, 2026 in Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ). He stated that the moment would be opportune for joint action against China.
China's weaknesses could be better exploited, Ratner believes. To do so, he considers it essential that the United States work with its allies—an approach he regards as realistic for the post-Trump era.
An increasing number of countries are suffering from China's economic model, he argues.
Allies Feeling Abandoned
Washington's Asian strategy in recent years has largely centered on strengthening its alliances in the region. These partners now feel abandoned, according to the interview.
Despite repeated pledges, the United States has never truly focused on Asia. The war against Iran clearly illustrates this reality, according to NZZ.
What Remains Uncertain
The interview does not specify what Ratner means concretely by 'joint action' against China, nor in what timeframe he situates the post-Trump era.
The term 'Indo-Pacific strategy'—used to describe Ratner's role within the Pentagon—appears in sources without a verified definition available for this article.
Who is Ely Ratner?
Ely Ratner is a former senior official at the U.S. Department of Defense. Under the Biden administration, he oversaw defense strategy for the Asia-Pacific region.
Why does he believe the moment is right for action against China?
Ratner contends that China's weaknesses are insufficiently exploited and that a growing number of countries suffer from its economic model. He argues that U.S.-allied cooperation would be realistic in a post-Trump era.
What is the connection to the Iran war?
According to the NZZ interview, the war against Iran illustrates the difficulty the United States faces in focusing on Asia despite its repeated pledges to pivot toward the region.
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