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China Unscripted

#268 Why Leaders REALLY Go to War | Matt Turpin

Sep 3, 2024
Matt Turpin, an expert on U.S. foreign policy, discusses critical tensions between the U.S. and an alliance of China, Russia, and others. He argues that leaders often steer their countries toward war due to misguided confidence. Turpin critiques the U.S. strategy regarding China's aggressive moves, especially concerning Taiwan, and highlights the urgent need for transparent dialogue on national security. He also addresses the opioid crisis linked to China's role in fentanyl, urging the need for informed public engagement on these pressing geopolitical issues.
01:12:54

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Leaders initiate wars based on deliberate policy decisions rather than random events, challenging the narrative of accidental conflicts.
  • Effective deterrence against adversaries requires demonstrating that aggressive actions will not yield favorable outcomes, countering their confidence in success.

Deep dives

Intentionality in Warfare

Wars are not started by accident; they result from intentional policy decisions made by leaders. The idea that a conflict might erupt due to miscommunication, such as a military incident, is misleading. An accident can escalate tensions but does not inherently lead to war without a pre-existing intention from a nation like China. Historical events, like the 1999 bombing of the Chinese embassy, illustrate that while accidents can cause outrage, they do not necessarily trigger full-scale conflicts.

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