Discussion on the declining influence of the West at the UN General Assembly, Ukraine's attempt to gain African support and concerns about Russian influence, and recent news on alleged Chinese infiltration in the UK political system.
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Quick takeaways
The decline of Western influence and the rise of China is shaping the future international situation, with more countries aligning with China and distancing themselves from the West.
African countries' relationships with China and Russia are complex, with public support and private fear, and may shift in the coming years given the fragility of Russia's hold and potential regret over partnerships.
Deep dives
Shifting Powers in the Global Landscape
The podcast discusses the changing dynamics of global influence, particularly the decline of Western influence and the rise of China. The host and guest analyze recent events like the BRICS summit and the G20, highlighting how more countries are aligning with China and distancing themselves from the West. They draw parallels to the Cold War era and the Non-Aligned Movement, emphasizing the historical precedence of countries like India playing an equivocal role. They suggest that the pieces on the global chessboard are shifting, with China's rise and the decline of the Soviet Union and Russia shaping the future international situation. The podcast also mentions the significance of countries like India and Japan, and the relationships they forge with the United States in determining future alliances and security pacts.
African Countries' Dilemma
The episode explores African countries' relationship with Russia and China. The host mentions that African countries may publicly show support for Russia while privately displaying fear of Putin and Russia's retribution. They discuss the post-colonial resentment and the complexities surrounding their relationship with former colonial powers like France. The episode also highlights the increasing Chinese and Russian influence in Africa, with strategic land purchases and control of natural resources. The guest predicts shifts and changes in the African countries' relationships with China and Russia in the coming years, mentioning the fragility of Russia's hold and the potential regret many African leaders may have in their partnerships. The discussion also touches on the UK's experience with Chinese infiltration in their political system.
Chinese Infiltration and the United Front Work Department
The podcast episode delves into Chinese attempts to infiltrate the political systems of other countries. The guest explains the existence of the United Front Work Department within the Chinese Communist Party, tasked with undermining China's critics and enticing its supporters. They draw parallels to Australia's experience and suggest a similar game is being played out in the UK. The guest speculates that recent activities involving alleged Chinese spies in the UK may be linked to this department rather than traditional intelligence services. They mention the significance of a new national security legislation in the UK that requires transparent lobbying and political activities. The guest suggests that a deeper understanding of Chinese infiltration and espionage requires further exploration and could be a topic for a separate podcast.
The world’s leaders descend on New York City this week for the annual gathering of the United Nations—think of it as our global town hall. Amid the backdrop of the Ukraine war, spiralling inflation, natural disasters and heightening superpower tensions, there is a lot to be discussed. It comes also on the heels of the G20, where Indian PM Narendra Modi played a pivotal role in shaping global agreements on Ukraine and pushing for the African Union to join the bloc—an equivalent, he argues, to the EU. As the Global South continues to refuse to pick a side in the war in Europe, we are asking this week: is the West’s global dominance over?
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