China has amassed great power over the past 35 years, leaving many to query: how should America evaluate the risks that China poses to its interests? Miscalculating China’s ambitions and capabilities could leave the United States strategically vulnerable. Eikenberry argues that useful analysis derives from a deep understanding of China’s current position in both regional and international affairs, and of the internal and external constraints it faces. An effective U.S.-China policy must be grounded in a thorough assessment of the context in which Sino-American relations operate.