Navigating Historical Analogies and Future Possibilities in US-China Relations

In season 2, we kick-off with America's foremost foreign policy scholar, Dr. Joseph Nye, the former Assistant Secretary of Defense and former Dean of Harvard Kennedy School of Government, to talk about how the American Century has shaped our civilization and what lies ahead in the road.

Dr. Nye shares his profound insights on:

- His personal reflections from his latest released book

- The essence and impact of soft power, hard power and 'smart' power in shaping international relations, drawing from his extensive experience and academic work

- Analyzing the concept of the "American Century," its historical context, and its relevance in today's shifting global order

- Discussing the strategic challenges and opportunities presented by nuclear non-proliferation, with a focus on his contributions during the Carter administration

- Providing a forward-looking perspective on the rise of Asia, particularly China and India, and the implications for global economic and political dynamics

- Navigating through the complexities of U.S. foreign policy, from its triumphs to its missteps, and envisioning the path forward in an increasingly multipolar world

- His thoughts on contemporary wars: from Israel-Palestine to Ukraine-Russia

Accompanying Dr. Nye, we're privileged to have our very dear friend of the pod, Jon Cayzer who's a UK civil servant, adding depth to the conversation with his expertise and experience in public services and policy advising.

Join us as Dr. Joseph Nye artfully connects past influences with present challenges, offering a roadmap for understanding and navigating the future of international relations.

Follow our host Waheed Nabeel (@iwaheedo), for more updates on tech, civilizational growth, progress studies, and emerging markets.

Here are the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players, you should be able to click the timestamp for the episode.

(00:00) - Introduction to Joseph Nye and his seminal contributions

(02:13) - Nye's background and defining moments in global politics

(07:04) - The American Century revisited: implications for global leadership

(12:50) - The evolution and significance of soft power in the modern era

(14:47) - Is the U.S.'s current foreign policy, particularly its support for Israel's actions in Gaza, leading to a decrease in its soft power, similar to the impact of the Iraq War?

(16:46) - Is the current perceived political polarization in the U.S. truly unprecedented, or is it a return to historical levels of division experienced in past eras like the FDR presidency?

(18:36) - Can the U.S. and China avoid the Thucydides Trap and prevent military conflict?

(23:56) - Should Ukraine join NATO?

(25:14) - Is China, despite its hard power, struggling to amplify its soft power on the global stage?

(28:05) - How can a small country effectively increase its soft power—is it through cultural promotion like the British Council and Confucius Institute, or are there other strategies?

(29:46) - In light of populism and Brexit, how can the UK rejuvenate its smart power and reestablish its international standing post-EU?

(32:16) - How do advancements in technology and AI affect a country's balance of soft and hard power?

(33:36) - Does the fragmentation of media through technologies like social media endanger the consensus-building essential to democracy in the 21st century?

(35:32) - How can America, known for its innovation, adapt its foundational principles and values for future generations to bridge to the next century, moving beyond the notion of American exceptionalism?

(37:35) - Discussing the shift in American values from 1998 to 2023, how has the perception of patriotism and other core values evolved over time?

(27:20) - Analyzing Asia's rise and its global ramifications

(33:35) - The interplay of technology, AI, and international relations

(36:50) - Envisioning the future of diplomacy and international cooperation

(39:07) - Outro