David E. Sanger - “New Cold Wars” with Russia & China | The Daily Show

The Daily Show2 minutes read

The US misjudged Russia and China's alignment with the West, facing challenges in balancing international conflicts while struggling to admit past foreign policy errors. The competition between the US and China spans various sectors, with a cautionary tale about potential crises arising from technology acquisitions and prolonged cold wars extending beyond current leaders.

Insights

  • False assumptions about Russia and China's alignment with the West led to limited responses to actions in Crimea and Ukraine, highlighting the complexity of international relations and the challenges of balancing conflicting interests.
  • The discussion of Taiwan Semiconductor's role in creating a "silicon shield" against Chinese takeover underscores the strategic importance of technology in global power dynamics, emphasizing the long-term implications of technological advancements and potential crises that may arise from such developments.

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Recent questions

  • How did the United States view Russia and China?

    The United States made false assumptions about Russia and China wanting to align with the Western world.

  • What challenges did the US administration under Biden face?

    The US administration under Biden faced challenges in balancing support for conflicting parties in international conflicts.

  • What actions did Putin take in Crimea and Ukraine?

    Putin's actions in Crimea and Ukraine were met with limited responses from the US and Europe.

  • What intentions has China shown under Xi Jinping's leadership?

    China, under Xi Jinping, has shown intentions to challenge the West and expand its influence.

  • What dilemma does the US face in filling global voids?

    The choice between filling global voids with US principles or allowing authoritarian regimes to do so presents a complex dilemma.

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Summary

00:00

US-Russia-China Relations: Challenges and Dilemmas

  • The United States made false assumptions about Russia and China wanting to align with the Western world.
  • George Bush and Putin had a shared dislike of terrorism but diverged on their goals.
  • Putin's actions in Crimea and Ukraine were met with limited responses from the US and Europe.
  • China, under Xi Jinping, has shown intentions to challenge the West and expand its influence.
  • The US administration under Biden faced challenges in balancing support for conflicting parties in international conflicts.
  • The US history of intervention and regime change undermines its moral high ground in foreign policy.
  • Admitting to past errors in foreign policy is difficult for US presidents due to backlash.
  • The competition between the US and China spans military, technology, finance, and economics.
  • The current global landscape involves competing for influence and resources, often leading to militarization and chaos.
  • The choice between filling global voids with US principles or allowing authoritarian regimes to do so presents a complex dilemma.

15:44

"Taiwan Semiconductor: Silicon Shield Against China"

  • The text discusses the significance of Taiwan Semiconductor, the largest producer of advanced semiconductors globally, in potentially creating a "silicon shield" for the United States and Taiwan against Chinese takeover. However, the author warns that eventually, China may acquire the technology, leading to a crisis. The book serves as a cautionary tale for the next few decades, predicting prolonged cold wars beyond current political leaders, with a humorous aside about Trump and Biden still being relevant in 2084.
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