How do rising countries like China build influence in a world dominated by more established powers? Whereas most experts assume that China has sought to emulate the U.S., Oriana Skylar Mastro, Center Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford University, argues that China has become powerful mainly through doing things differently. Beijing has exploited U.S. blind spots, maneuvered in areas of uncertainty, and engaged in what she calls “entrepreneurial” foreign policy. These findings have significant implications for understanding China's unique strategic approach—a necessary pursuit if the U.S. is to successfully engage in great power competition.

Location: Athenaeum