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Fact-check: Recent X posts from March 2026 by experts like Joel Wuthnow and Lyle Morris detail ongoing Xi Jinping-led purges of senior PLA officers, including recent removals of generals like Han Weiguo and Li Qiaoming, confirming the article's claim of purges since mid-2023. Current web reports from CSIS, CNN, and BBC corroborate the scale and continuity of these purges. War on the Rocks' analysis of potential impacts on military competence and Taiwan risks aligns with real-time evidence and is from a trusted source.

The Danger in the Middle: Will Xi’s Purges Increase the Risk of War?

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Analysis of Xi Jinping's ongoing purges of senior PLA officers since mid-2023 examines the potential strategic consequences, including reduced military competence and battlefield effectiveness. The piece explores the dual risk that while purges may undermine Xi's confidence in military performance, his consolidated power could increase the likelihood of ordering military action over Taiwan. Political scientists note that experienced leadership is a critical factor in battlefield effectiveness.

The Danger in the Middle: Will Xi’s Purges Increase the Risk of War?

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