E33 – Keeping up Foreign Relations

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Former Australian diplomat John Fowler joins Mike Benitez to discuss what’s happening around the world through the lens of international relations.

John is a repeat guest—check out episode 16 to get caught up. In this episode, we discuss China, the South China Sea, the Taiwan elections, Russia in Ukraine, and even cautiously venture a bit into how US domestic politics is muddying the waters with Ukraine aid.

Should we even be involved? Why or why not? We look at both sides from a few perspectives you won’t hear anywhere else. We also make a detour into AUKUS, Japan’s rebuilding of its military, and discuss what the real superpower of the US is.

John Fowler runs International Intrigue, a daily newsletter written by a team of former diplomats (link below!). It’s packed with great, easy-to-consume content and helps you keep a pulse on what’s happening in the world—and why it matters.

For those interested in #military #technology #strategy #diplomacy #china #asia #security #government #nationalsecurity #defense #nationaldefense #russia #ukraine 

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Show Notes

(01:04) Intro

(05:06) China’s economic shifts

(08:14) China’s real estate crisis

(11:48) Taiwan elections

(18:22) South China Sea

(19:40) the “9-dash line”

(21:30) the Second Thomas Shoal

(31:08) coalitions and consensus

(34:37) Russia in Ukraine

(36:55) Ukraine aid in Congress

(41:02) the real superpower of the US

(45:06) the risk of hedging

(46:21) AUKUS, Japan, and China

(53:54) good for Russia, good for China

(55:11) China using history as a weapon

(58:02) outro