Mitchell Institute to Keep an ‘Eye on China’ in New Video Series

The People’s Republic of China is carrying out one of the largest military buildups in history, yet credible, accessible information about it is scarce. The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies’ new video series, “Eye on China,” aims to fill that gap.

Hosted by J. Michael Dahm, senior fellow for aerospace and China studies at the Mitchell Institute, the series explores the Chinese military—its systems, structure, and recent developments—using publicly available information, including satellite imagery. It is designed for both general and policy audiences seeking a clearer understanding of China’s military, particularly its air force.

Dahm is a retired U.S. Navy intelligence officer who previously served as an assistant U.S. naval attaché in Beijing and as senior naval intelligence officer for China at the Office of Naval Intelligence.

“Educating the public on airpower and spacepower is central to the Mitchell Institute’s mission,” Dahm said. “This series distills a daunting amount of open-source intelligence on China’s military into videos just a few minutes long.”

New episodes will be released weekly on the Mitchell Institute’s YouTube channel. The first four episodes cover China’s first overseas air base, the implications of its new airborne early-warning aircraft, its participation in international air exercises, and how its air force structure will determine how it operates.

“Eye on China” builds upon Mitchell’s earlier work on the Chinese military, including the interactive China Airpower Tracker, which maps air bases and surface-to-air missile sites across China, and its open-source Weapons & Platforms guide, which details Chinese military aircraft, air defense systems, and their capabilities.

To watch the latest episode of the series, visit the Mitchell Institute’s YouTube page or its China tracker webpage.

About the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

The Mitchell Institute is the only think tank focused on airpower and spacepower, located in the nation’s capital. The Mitchell Institute is an independent, nonpartisan research organization established to provide innovative, insightful, fact-based research, analysis, and policy options to inform decision-makers, experts, and the public on national security issues in the air and space domains. Mitchell provides deep analysis of important issues, strategy, and technology through research reports and policy papers on a wide range of subjects. Mitchell conducts cutting-edge workshops and wargames and facilitates topical expert conversations through a variety of community activities and engagement opportunities, from symposia to roundtables. Mitchell also engages top air and space leaders with its internationally acclaimed webinar series and influential weekly podcast series, covering a broad range of timely air and space issues. 

About AFA

The Air & Space Forces Association is an independent, non-profit 501(c)3 association dedicated to advocating for the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Space Force, Airmen, Guardians, and their Families. Founded in 1946, AFA is the single largest entity of its kind focused on air and space power. With more than 350,000 members and 200 chapters spread around the world, our mission is to promote dominant U.S. air and space forces as the foundation of a strong National Defense; to honor and support Airmen, Guardians, and their Families; and to remember and respect the enduring heritage of the Air Force and Space Force.