Party School

Teaching leaders the foundations of the Taiwan problem through the lens of the Chinese Communist Party.

Propaganda poster of a Chinese soldier holding a red book, with a background of people with raised arms and books, on an orange backdrop.
Crumpled beige paper texture

Future Courses

We’re in the process of finalizing future 2025 Party School dates — sign up to be the first to know when they’re announced.

Syllabus

Day 1: The CCP and the China-Taiwan Problem

Highlights

  • The CCP’s Lineage from Mao to Now

  • “Make China Great Again” as Guiding Vision

  • The Party Holds the Gun: The PLA’s Role

  • The Strategy for Unification: Political Warfare and Beyond

  • Taiwan’s Complex Identity: ROC, KMT, DPP, & History

Day 2: Taiwan’s Future and Global Impact

Highlights

  • How Wars Start (or Don’t)

  • Trump 2.0: Deal or Showdown Ahead?

  • The Silicon Shield: Can It Prevent War?

  • What to Expect in the Next Five Years

  • How to Spot Signals of Changing Risk

Day 3: Decision-Making for China Risk

Highlights

  • Challenging Biases in Risk Perception

  • Taiwan Crisis Simulation (TTX)

  • Your Executive Action Plan

  • Industry Case Studies: Mitigations and Crisis Responses

  • Teaching Taiwan Risks to Your Team

PARTY SCHOOL

Bringing Together a Diverse Cohort to Tackle the Biggest Problem of the 21st Century

Split image showing a naval ship with an American flag on the left and a modern conference room with large windows on the right.

Built for Leaders In and Out of Uniform

China/Taiwan isn’t just a military issue—it’s a challenge that could impact industries, governments, and economies worldwide.

That’s why Party School brings together leaders in and out of uniform —ensuring that military decision-makers gain critical outside perspectives, while business and policy leaders gain direct insights into how the defense community is approaching Taiwan.

Party School students include senior military leaders, C-suite executives, geopolitical risk teams, defense industry innovators, scholars, think tank analysts, and policymakers - a deep bench for a deep problem. Party School creates a rare forum where leaders engage with perspectives outside their normal bubbles.

Inspired by Beijing's own school for training Party cadres

Party School was born out of a frustration with the existing educational resources available to military and business leaders. From our own military experience, we found it troubling that:

  • We have access to more classified intelligence than we’ll ever be able to read.

  • We relentlessly train for every conceivable scenario.

  • We have endured countless briefs, drowning in PowerPoint slides dissecting every PLA capability.

And yet, when it comes to understanding Taiwan, most leaders remain unable to clearly answer foundational questions: Why does Taiwan matter so deeply to Beijing? How exactly does the CCP plan to achieve reunification? How will we know it’s happening?

But the gap doesn’t just exist in the defense world—it’s just as present in boardrooms, markets, and policy circles. Companies and investors assessing China risk often miss key signals—strategic narratives, economic coercion, Party directives—reacting late instead of anticipating shifts before they happen.

Since its founding, the CCP has trained its leaders through an extensive Party School system, shaping cadres with the ideological and strategic frameworks needed to pursue objectives like Taiwan’s reunification.

We built Party School to level the playing field. American leaders—from the battlefield to the boardroom—gain the tools to decode the history, ideology, and strategy behind Beijing’s decision-making on Taiwan and learn how to interpret the political signals, economic shifts, and strategic moves before they unfold.

The Party's in Annapolis

Party School is hosted in Annapolis, MD because life’s too short for some bland DC conference room. Away from the distractions, we believe that you learn best in a place where you can focus and detach from the grind.

Stroll through historic downtown, explore the Naval Academy campus, or hit up the local food scene - we’ve built the schedule so you have time to roam this charming town during the most beautiful time of year.

(Annapolis is a short 25 min drive from BWI Airport and a 35 min drive from Washington D.C. / Ronald Reagan Airport. )

Sailboat docked at a waterfront with historic buildings in the background, including a dome structure, at sunset.
Aerial view of Annapolis, Maryland with the Maryland State House dome in the foreground and the harbor in the background.

The Venue: USNA Fluegel Alumni Center

Outdoor patio with tables and yellow chairs at sunset, brick building, wooden decking, and view of trees and distant building under a colorful sky.
Interior of a building with a dual staircase, glass railings, and a sunset view through large windows. The phrase "Don't Give Up The Ship" is displayed at the top.
Conference room with long tables, chairs, and flags, featuring a podium and large windows.
Modern lounge with wooden bookshelves, blue chairs, a brown leather sofa, and a wall-mounted TV.
Conference center auditorium with seats, stage, podium, and chairs
Elegant banquet hall with round tables, blue tablecloths, and formal place settings, featuring natural light from large windows and ceiling projectors.
Modern brick building with glass facade, American flag, and lush landscaping against a clear blue sky.
Modern interior lobby with high ceilings, large windows, shiny marble floor, LED-lit wall panels, and digital displays.
Terrace overlooking a cemetery and waterfront with sailboats on a sunny day

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

The Program Fee includes:

  • Your seat in the 3x day course

  • Catered breakfast and lunch each day

  • Dinner/Drinks on Night 2

  • Course Material

Transportation and lodging not included.

Application Process

Apply

Our application process ensures that we have a good understanding of your background and what you hope to take away from Party School so we can ensure a good match for the program.

The application form takes ~ 5 min to complete. Our team will review your application within 1-2 business days.

Acceptance / Payment

Once accepted, our team will reach out to inform you of next steps. ~ 60 days prior to the start date we’ll send you an email to submit your payment for the program including an invoice and online payment link. Full payment of the invoice confirms your enrollment. Payment is accepted by bank wire transfer, or credit card (American Express, MasterCard, Visa, and Discover). $6500 course fee is inclusive of taxes and payment processing fees and represents the final price that you will be charged.

Cancellation

If you need to cancel after payment is sent, you must inform us of your cancellation more than 30 days before the program start date to receive a full refund. Cancellations or deferrals received 15 to 30 days before the program start date are subject to a payment of 50 percent of the program fee. Requests received within 14 days of the program start date are subject to full payment of the program fee.

Need Help Applying?

Active Duty

Most Active Duty use the GPC + SF-182 funding mechanism.

Drop us a note, and we’ll send you a simple checklist with supporting documents and an SF-182 (Civilian Training Form) to assist your Government Purchase Card Holder in reserving your seat at Party School.

Exec Ed Funding

Party School may qualify for continuing education funding at your company.

Reach out and we’ll help get any information or documentation you might need for your company’s professional development program.

Dome of the United States Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, Maryland, surrounded by trees and grass, under a blue sky with clouds.

FAQs

  • No, the information discussed is all unclassified. While many of our experts have previously had or currently hold Top Secret clearances, they do not discuss topics that are not available to the general public. If you or anyone on your team has a TS clearance and need more specifics for your company’s security officer please enquire directly and we’ll work through that process with you.

  • We understand, life happens. See Party School cancellation policy above.

  • A more detailed schedule and syllabus is available upon request and will be provided to all accepted applicants as part of their welcome packet.