Stephen Clare, author and narrator of the Great Power Conflict problem profile, dives into the grave realities of modern warfare. He discusses the serious threat posed by nuclear and bioweapons, drawing parallels to historical conflicts like the Cuban Missile Crisis. Clare evaluates the unpredictable nature of future wars due to misunderstandings and technology. He also analyzes current tensions among major powers like the U.S., China, and Russia, stressing the urgent need to mitigate existential risks in our increasingly complex international landscape.
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The U-2 Incident
In 1962, a U-2 spy plane strayed into Soviet airspace, triggering a nuclear alert.
Quick thinking averted potential disaster, highlighting the ever-present risks of great power conflict.
insights INSIGHT
Impact of Great Power Conflict
Great power competition significantly shapes the world.
Mitigating great power conflict is crucial, despite individual influence seeming limited.
insights INSIGHT
A New Great Power War
Modern great power war could be worse than WWII due to economic and technological advancements.
The 21st century is pivotal due to emerging technologies, making war's impact more severe.
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What Causes War?: An Introduction to Theories of International Conflict
Greg Cashman
This book provides a thorough examination of various theories that attempt to explain the causes of interstate war. It explores theories at the individual, substate, nation-state, dyadic, and international systems levels, discussing empirical evidence, historical applications, and implications for reducing international violence. The book is ideal for graduate and advanced undergraduate students studying international relations.
Technology Roulette
Technology Roulette
Managing Loss of Control as Many Militaries Pursue Technological Superiority
Richard Danzig
Technology Roulette discusses the pursuit of technological superiority by militaries and the potential risks and loss of control associated with emerging technologies like AI and autonomous systems. It highlights the need to manage these risks effectively to prevent accidents and unintended consequences. The report draws parallels with historical technological developments, such as nuclear weapons, to emphasize the importance of understanding and mitigating these risks.
The Avoidable War
The Dangers of a Catastrophic Conflict Between the US and China
Kevin Rudd
In this book, Kevin Rudd provides an analytic snapshot of U.S.-China relations, highlighting the complexities and potential dangers of the rising tensions between the two superpowers. Rudd draws on his extensive experience and insights from conversations with leaders in Beijing and Washington to offer a solution-oriented approach to preserving peace and understanding in the region.
Only the Dead
The Persistence of War in the Modern Age
Bear Braumoeller
In 'Only the Dead: The Persistence of War in the Modern Age,' Bear F. Braumoeller argues against the conventional wisdom that war is becoming less common. Using comprehensive data collection and modern statistical analysis, he demonstrates that interstate wars are as likely to break out and escalate as they have been in the past. Braumoeller emphasizes that the key to understanding trends in warfare lies in the formation of international orders, which can reduce conflict within their borders but also clash violently with other orders. The book provides a realistic assessment of humanity's efforts to abolish warfare, highlighting the successes and limitations of international institutions in preventing war.
Why We Fight
The Roots of War and the Paths to Peace
Chris Blattman
Today’s release is a reading of our Great power conflict problem profile, written and narrated by Stephen Clare.
If you want to check out the links, footnotes and figures in today’s article, you can find those here.
And if you like this article, you might enjoy a couple of related episodes of this podcast: