In June 2012 I wrote PacNet #34 “China. There, I said it” in an effort to generate a conversation about how the United States was publicly discussing the competitive elements of its relationship with the People’s Republic of China (PRC). At the time, I felt like there was an unnecessarily tight muzzle on our civilian and military leadership that prevented the US from having a frank and honest conversation about the subject. If Congress is going to be asked to marshal the resources to sustain its enduring interests in the Asia-Pacific region — including a balance of military power that favors the US and its allies — I contended that the administration and specifically the Pentagon would only be successful if they were comfortable publicly making the case why these investments were required.