Trump's Ukraine talks aim to divide Russia from China. Can he do it?
Feb 22, 2025
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The discussion centers on U.S. talks with Russia, revealing a strategy aimed at driving a wedge between Russia and China. Trump’s ambition to 'un-unite' these powers echoes Nixon's divide-and-conquer tactics from the 1970s. Experts analyze the growing perception of China as America's main threat, overshadowing Russia. The podcast explores U.S. intelligence’s intensified focus on China's rise and critiques Trump's foreign policy, particularly its implications for Ukraine and global imperialism. The complexities of alliances and rivalries in this geopolitical chess game are compellingly unpacked.
The U.S. aims to divide the Russia-China alliance to counter China's perceived dominance, highlighting the strategic shift in foreign policy priorities.
Trump's approach emphasizes economic imperatives, with concerns over U.S. dollar dominance tied to national security and global influence.
Deep dives
The Threat of a Russia-China Alliance
The potential alliance between Russia and China is viewed as a significant threat to U.S. global dominance. The U.S. administration acknowledges that pushing these two countries together was a blunder, which they are now trying to rectify by proposing new partnerships with Russia. This strategic move aims to isolate and weaken China, identified as the foremost challenge to U.S. interests by both current and previous administrations. In negating this new alliance, the U.S. hopes to prevent a united front that could overpower U.S. influence across the globe.
Economic Concerns and Dollar Dominance
The U.S. is experiencing a decline in the global dominance of its currency, which Trump indicates could lead to substantial economic consequences likened to losing a war. In response, there are threats of imposing high tariffs on countries within the BRICS coalition that do not adhere to the dollar in trade. The emphasis on maintaining the dollar’s status is directly tied to U.S. economic power, and Trump believes that failure to address this will compromise national security and weaken the empire's influence globally. The call to reinforce U.S. economic muscle is intertwined with the political maneuvering surrounding China and Russia.
U.S. Foreign Policy: A Strategy for Imperial Preservation
The overarching strategy of the Trump administration appears focused on preserving U.S. imperial hegemony rather than fostering peace, particularly regarding the situation in Ukraine. Policymakers propose that improving relations with Russia could facilitate a stronger coalition against China. The administration does not perceive Russia as the principal threat, prioritizing the apprehension of China's growing influence and its challenge to U.S. capitalism. A significant part of U.S. foreign policy thus revolves around countering the rise of China, as recognized by multiple political figures across party lines.
Challenges in Dividing the Russia-China Partnership
The potential effectiveness of the U.S. strategy to divide Russia and China remains questionable, particularly in light of the established relationship between these two nations. China's growing economic power and stability make it an attractive ally for Russia, which currently benefits from economic exchanges and military collaboration. Historically, attempted U.S. outreach to Russia has been perceived as untrustworthy, stemming from inconsistent commitments like the U.S. betrayal of agreements in past dealings. An ongoing partnership with China might offer Russia more security and benefits than any tentative alliance with the United States.
The US government's talks with Russia are more about China than Ukraine. Donald Trump admitted he wants to "un-unite" Russia and China, in a reverse of the divide-and-conquer strategy used by Nixon and Kissinger in the 1970s. Can Trump do it? Ben Norton explains why the United States sees China as the main threat to its global imperial dominance.
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRJIymzuRGU
Topics
0:00 (CLIP) Trump: divide Russia & China
0:18 US-Russia talks
1:01 USA says China is 'greatest threat'
2:11 (CLIP) Trump on Russia & China
3:31 US dollar dominance
4:14 Divide & conquer
5:23 Nixon in China
6:06 Kissinger strategy
6:59 Trump's neocons
7:57 (CLIP) Marco Rubio: partner with Russia
8:20 Ally with Russia against China?
9:37 (CLIP) Tucker Carlson on Russia
11:01 (CLIP) Marco Rubio on Russia
11:42 Marco Rubio on Ukraine & China
12:34 Rubio: China challenges US-led order
13:05 Rubio: China wants to displace USA
13:40 Rubio: China is "greatest challenge"
14:20 China more powerful than Russia
14:40 Population
14:54 Economy
15:31 Manufacturing
15:58 Technology
16:56 Research
17:19 China's alternative
18:08 Competition to Silicon Valley
18:55 Russia's strengths
20:02 Brzezinski's warnings
20:49 BRICS & SCO
22:21 (CLIP) CIA director John Ratcliffe
23:21 CIA on China "threat"
25:07 (CLIP) Blinken on China "challenge"
25:31 Mike Pompeo on China
26:14 US imperialism & Panama Canal
27:15 Monroe Doctrine
27:46 Europe
29:03 JD Vance
30:04 US colonialism in Ukraine
32:41 (CLIP) Trump wants to expand USA
33:10 Imperial expansion
33:44 European right wing
34:45 Can Trump divide Russia & China?
35:09 Putin's rise to power
35:55 (CLIP) Bush on Putin
36:30 Russia tried to join the West
37:31 Russia's fall out with the West
38:07 Ukraine war context
38:39 Russia-China relations
39:41 Sanctions relief?
40:28 Security guarantees?
41:56 Can USA be trusted?
43:25 Is there a possibility?
46:36 Outro
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