Glenn Diesen - Greater Eurasia Podcast Jeffrey Sachs: US and China Edge Toward War Over Taiwan
9 snips
Sep 18, 2025 
In this discussion, economist Jeffrey Sachs, renowned for his expertise in global development and geopolitics, dives into the escalating tensions between the US and China over Taiwan. He explores the parallels with Ukraine, emphasizing how the U.S. commitment to Taiwanese secession could provoke conflict. Sachs also shares insights into China's historical grievances and strategic positioning, warning that reckless policies could transform Taiwan into a volatile flashpoint between the superpowers. A captivating analysis of international relations and the precarious balance of power!
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Taiwan Could Become A Proxy Flashpoint
- Taiwan can follow a path similar to Ukraine where a great-power contest turns local politics into a proxy war.
- A misstep by any actor in the Taiwan strait could produce a devastating wider conflict.
Historical Roots Of The Taiwan Dispute
- Jeffrey Sachs recounts Taiwan's colonial and civil-war history to show why its status is contested.
- He explains how both the mainland and Taipei historically claimed to represent 'one China.'
1979 Shift Created A Fragile Status Quo
- U.S. recognition of the PRC in 1979 shifted diplomacy but preserved legal commitments to Taiwan's security.
- That duality created a long-standing status quo of de-facto autonomy under U.S. protective assurances.
