China's Western Horizon: Beijing and the New Geopolitics of Eurasia | Daniel Markey

Sep 6, 2021

In this engaging discussion, Daniel Markey, a Senior Expert on South Asia and author of "China's Western Horizon," dives into China’s complex relationship with its Eurasian neighbors. He reveals how China's historical perspectives shape contemporary security concerns and economic goals. Markey explores the Belt and Road Initiative's evolution into a geopolitical strategy, addressing its implications for regional dynamics and partnerships, especially with Russia. The conversation also reflects on the geopolitical shifts following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and their impact on alliances.

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INSIGHT

China's Western Perspective

China perceives its Western border as a source of historical threats and opportunities.
This perspective shapes its contemporary security concerns and economic ambitions in Eurasia.

INSIGHT

Fluid Western Boundary

China's Western boundary has historically been its most fluid, expanding and contracting over millennia.
This fluidity reflects the changing dynamics of power and influence in the region.

INSIGHT

BRI's Strategic Vision

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is an all-encompassing vision for expanding Chinese influence.
It starts with economic influence but includes political and strategic dimensions.

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In Episode 207 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Daniel Markey, Senior Expert on South Asia at the United States Institute of Peace who recently served as senior research professor at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies and as the academic director of the school’s Global Policy Program. He is also the author of “China’s Western Horizon: Beijing and the New Geopolitics of Eurasia,” which provides the roadmap for this conversation.

In the first part of their discussion, Demetri and Daniel examine how the communist party in China views the lands, countries, and regions to its west, both historically and in terms of its contemporary security concerns and economic ambitions. How do its Eurasian neighbors view China? What motivates the CCP’s influence campaigns, investments, and diplomatic overtures in its Western region? We also discuss China’s Belt & Road initiative, and how it fits into a larger economic and political vision for a stronger, wealthier, and more assertive China on the international stage.

In the Overtime, the conversation shifts to how the recent US withdrawal from Afghanistan is beginning to alter the geopolitical dynamics of the Greater Middle East by putting pressure on existing relationships, while opening the door to new partnerships and strategic alliances. Daniel explains what this means for the durability of China’s strategic partnership with Russia, how the internal politics of Pakistan and its relations with India are affected by China’s increased involvement there, and the economic and security implications of these developments for other regional players such as Kazakhstan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, and what this means for US policy in the region.

You can access the episode Overtime, as well as the transcript and rundown to this week’s episode through the Hidden Forces Patreon Page. All subscribers gain access to our overtime feed, which can be easily added to your favorite podcast application.

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Producer & Host: Demetri Kofinas

Editor & Engineer: Stylianos Nicolaou

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Episode Recorded on 08/30/2021