A MARred Alternative: Offense, Defense and US-China Relations

In a recent article in The Diplomat, Amitai Etzioni proposes that the United States and China adopt a strategy of Mutually Assured Restraint (MAR) to manage their emerging strategic rivalry in the Asia-Pacific. Under MAR, 'both powers [would] adopt measures that would allow China to take the steps it holds are necessary for self-defense, without extending them to the point that they threaten other nations or the international commons.' The U.S. would similarly be allowed 'to take the steps it holds necessary for self defense, while living up to its obligations to its allies in the region and maintaining the international order.' To accomplish this, Etzioni proposes two complementary courses of action: the limitation of offensive armaments (including anti-ship missiles) and cyber activities, and the establishment of geopolitical disengagement zones...