NPR's Book of the Day cover image

NPR's Book of the Day

'New Cold Wars' examines the relationship between the U.S., Russia and China

Apr 29, 2024
David Sanger, a reporter for The New York Times, discusses the evolving relationships between the U.S., Russia, and China in his book 'New Cold Wars'. He delves into how technology, military intelligence, and economic sanctions shape the conflict, highlighting the unpredictability of today's international politics.
09:10

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Global relations between Russia, China, and the US have drastically changed over the years, leading to 'New Cold Wars' due to misjudgments and evolving intentions of the nations.
  • National security now involves a strong partnership between governments and private sector giants like Microsoft and Starlink, showcasing a shift in defense strategies towards collaboration and reliance on private initiatives.

Deep dives

Drastic Shift from Past Relations in Global Politics

The podcast episode reveals a stark contrast in global relations between Russia, China, and the West from past decades. It highlights a scene from 2002 when then US President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin were seen socializing on a yacht, portraying a sense of camaraderie that seems unimaginable in today's political climate. The conversation on the yacht revolved around the possibility of Russia joining the EU and NATO, signaling a time when cooperation and integration with Western institutions seemed plausible. However, the podcast emphasizes that current dynamics have shifted, leading to what the guest author, David Sanger, terms as 'New Cold Wars' due to misjudgments about Russia and China's intentions and actions.

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