What Trump & Harris WON’T Tell You During the Campaign

Summary

The discussion explores the idea of the U.S. being in a new Cold War, characterized by a hostile rivalry with great powers like China and Russia. The speaker argues that U.S. leaders are hesitant to admit this reality, possibly hoping the problem will resolve itself. The conversation also touches on the emerging global geopolitical blocks, suggesting that the U.S. should confront this situation more openly, especially in terms of defense spending and strategic alignment. The need to acknowledge and address the geopolitical division is emphasized.

Takeaways

• 🛡️ Increasing defense spending is a necessary, but unpopular, topic during election years.
• 🌍 The US is in a new Cold War involving great powers with nuclear weapons, affecting various sectors like the economy and technology.
• 📉 US leaders often avoid acknowledging this Cold War situation, leading to a lack of preparedness for geopolitical realities.
• 🇨🇳 US leaders claim that China and Russia are not allies, but their growing cooperation suggests otherwise.
• 🥞 The camaraderie between Xi Jinping and Putin (symbolized humorously by making pancakes) indicates a strong alliance.
• 🧩 There is a reluctance to admit we're entering a period of dangerous international relations, with many still hoping for more beneficial relationships with rivals.
• ⚔️ The rivalry with China and Russia is deep and hostile, with the risk of conflict increasing as the situation is downplayed.
• 🌏 Today's geopolitical blocks resemble the Cold War divisions, with a 'global West,' a 'global East,' and a 'global South.'
• 🔗 The alignment between China and Russia is solid, making it unlikely they will split during the leadership of Xi Jinping and Putin.
• ⚖️ The US should treat China and Russia as a united geopolitical block to better manage the consequences of their actions, instead of pretending they are divided.

Q & A

Why is defense spending considered a difficult topic during election years?

Defense spending is often seen as a less popular topic during election years because it is not typically a point that resonates with voters, who may prefer discussions on domestic issues rather than military expenditures.

What does the speaker mean by 'Cold War' in the current context?

The speaker refers to a 'Cold War' as a hostile rivalry between great powers, like the U.S., China, and Russia, each possessing nuclear weapons. This rivalry involves competition in areas like the economy, technology, and propaganda, rather than direct military conflict.

Why do some U.S. officials deny the existence of a new Cold War?

Some officials might deny the existence of a new Cold War in hopes that by not acknowledging it, the situation may resolve itself or be less likely to escalate. There is also an aversion to returning to a period of international tension similar to the original Cold War.

What are the potential risks of not acknowledging the new Cold War, according to the speaker?

The speaker argues that not acknowledging the new Cold War increases the risk of surprise and disaster because it prevents the U.S. from adequately preparing for the geopolitical challenges it faces.

What geopolitical blocks does the speaker suggest exist in the current global landscape?

The speaker suggests that the world is divided into three geopolitical blocks: the global West (comprising the U.S., Europe, and democratic nations in East Asia and Australia), the global East (led by China, Russia, and their allies like Iran and North Korea), and the global South (similar to the non-aligned movement of the first Cold War).

How does the speaker view the relationship between China and Russia?

The speaker believes that China and Russia have formed a strong alliance, which is unlikely to break as long as their current leaders, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, are in power.

Why does the speaker believe it's important to treat China and Russia as a block?

The speaker argues that treating China and Russia as a single geopolitical block would ensure that both countries face the consequences of each other's actions, rather than allowing them to hedge their positions between the two global powers.

What might be the consequences of the U.S. not taking the Cold War scenario seriously?

If the U.S. does not take the Cold War scenario seriously, it risks being unprepared for the challenges posed by its rivals, leading to greater chances of conflict and instability.

What historical analogy does the speaker use to explain the current geopolitical situation?

The speaker compares the current geopolitical situation to the original Cold War, emphasizing that while there are differences, the basic dynamics of great power rivalry and global division into blocks are similar.

How does the speaker suggest the U.S. should approach its relationship with China and Russia?

The speaker suggests that the U.S. should acknowledge the alliance between China and Russia, treat them as a unified block, and impose consequences on both countries for their actions, rather than allowing them to maintain a strategic hedge.