GUEST: USAF (RETIRED) LT. COL. MARK STOKES
He began his U.S. Air Force (USAF) career as a Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) officer. From 1984-1986, assigned to the 6922nd electronic security squadron, Clark Air Base, Philippines. From 1986-1989, served as a SIGINT and Electronic Warfare (EW) officer in the 6912th Electronic Security Wing, Berlin, West Germany.
After graduate school and Chinese language training, he served as Assistant Air Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing from 1992 to 1995. His primary responsibility was monitoring and reporting on Chinese space and missile developments.
He was a recipient of the Director of Central Intelligence’s Collector of the Year Award in 1995 (often referred to as the “Spy of the Year Award”).
From 1995 to 1997, assigned as a strategic planner within the U.S. Air Force Plans and Operations Directorate. Between 1997 and 2004, served as Team Chief and Senior Country Director for China and Taiwan in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD).
In this position, he was responsible for developing, coordinating, and managing U.S. Defense Policy with respect to China and Taiwan.
After retiring from military service as a Lieutenant Colonel, worked in the private sector in Taiwan for more than three years. He served as Executive Vice President of Laifu Trading Company and subsequently as Taiwan Country Manager for Raytheon.
Returning to Washington, Stokes was one of the founders of the Project 2049 Institute serving as Executive Director from 2008-2023.
He has published numerous books/monographs, including his most famous: China’s Strategic Modernization (1999) via the U.S. Army War College. All of which are available free via PDF downloads.
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