General Robert Spalding, a retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General and expert on China, discusses the critical implications of TikTok as a potential tool for Chinese influence in America. He addresses the risks of data privacy and the psychological effects of social media on public perception. Spalding also examines U.S.-China trade tensions, warning of the complexities facing Taiwan. The conversation touches on the future of secure communication and personal data protection, advocating for resilience against foreign adversarial threats.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Taiwan Invasion Plan
China has openly stated their intention to take back Taiwan.
General Spalding believes it will be a massive air invasion, not an amphibious landing.
insights INSIGHT
Taiwan's Importance
Defending Taiwan is not just about chips, but about upholding democratic values.
Losing Taiwan would weaken the U.S.'s ability to defend allies in the region.
insights INSIGHT
China's Weapon Quantity
China possesses a massive arsenal, surpassing the U.S. in quantity.
Advanced technology is less effective against overwhelming numbers.
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Robert Spalding is a former United States Air Force Brigadier General and B-2 Stealth Bomber Pilot. General Spalding served as the chief China strategist for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the Joint Staff at the Pentagon. He has served in senior positions of strategy and diplomacy within the Departments of Defense and State for more than 26 years. His experience has made him one of the foremost authorities on U.S. foreign policy and intelligence concerning China. Today, he servers as the CEO of SEMPRE, a company specializing in secure, EMP hardened telecommunication and cloud systems that are redefining security across the industry.
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