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China's military thinkers are turning to capitalism to supplement their small incomes. (And good on 'em for it. As Churchill said, the old adage that one should read an old book before buying a new one finds little support among authors.) Two Chinese People's Liberation Army senior Cols. Qiao Liang and Wang Xangsui wrote a book called "Unrestricted Warfare" in 1999 that was published in English here in 2002. Pentagon analysts say that while much of it is theoretical, it is a very useful tool for those who are examining the meaning of the enormous Chinese miliary buildup.

Now, Liang and Xiangsui have written another book entitled "The New Warring States Era," which, I'm told, is a lot more than an academic exercise. Yet the CIA -- which usually interprets such for the government -- is refusing to do so. Why? One prominent China hand told me CIA is refusing because the book refutes much of their theory on how American relations with China should be conducted.

Meanwhile, CIA sources yesterday refused to identify the person (or even the rank of the person) who authorized and approved Joe Wilson's mission to Niger. I think I know who it is. Stay tuned.

topics:
Military