Exploring the new Cold War landscape with multiple nuclear adversaries, including Russia, China, and Iran. Delving into Reagan's strategic vision of 'we win, they lose' and the importance of defense systems. Discussing China's dominance in energy, climate change, and the need for the US to recognize China as a powerful adversary. Criticizing the current administration's handling of national security, border security, and immigration policy. Urging for increased military contributions and crisis awareness to address escalating tensions in Europe.
Strengthening the U.S. role in global governance is vital to counter resurgent adversarial nations.
Energy dominance and security are crucial for sustaining American progress and countering China's influence.
Emphasizing real border security and skilled immigration are key strategies to mitigate national security risks.
Deep dives
Republican Foreign Policy and the New Cold War
Matthew Cronig and Dan Nagria explore the concept of a sensible conservative foreign policy in the evolving international landscape. Their book 'We Win, They Lose, Republican Foreign Policy, and the New Cold War' focuses on fusion where Ronald Reagan's and Donald Trump's ideologies meet. They advocate for a strategic approach aligning with principles like peace through strength and skepticism towards prolonged military interventions.
Biden Administration's Foreign Policy Critique
The podcast delves into a critique of the Biden administration's foreign policy and national security strategy. It questions the administration's approach, especially towards China, highlighting a lack of consensus on the competitive nature of the U.S.-China relationship. The discussion emphasizes the need for a clearer strategy in dealing with adversarial nations like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
Energy Policy and National Security
The conversation extends to the intersection of energy policy and national security, emphasizing the importance of energy dominance for a superpower like the United States. It underscores the relevance of affordable energy, particularly in developing regions like Africa, to drive progress and sustainability. The dialogue challenges extreme climate change policies that could inadvertently strengthen China's hold on critical energy technologies and resources.
National Security and Immigration Policies
One of the key points discussed in the podcast revolves around the intersection of national security and immigration policies. The speakers highlight the importance of real border security to prevent illegal immigration, emphasizing the national security risks posed by unauthorized entries. They raise concerns about the potential security threats associated with allowing large numbers of foreign military-age individuals to enter the country, especially in the context of geopolitical tensions like the Cold War. Moreover, they advocate for a reform of legal immigration, shifting focus from family reunification to attracting skilled individuals, similar to approaches adopted by countries like the UK, Australia, and Canada.
Global Commons and International Security
The podcast also delves into the concept of global commons and its significance in maintaining international security. It underscores the vital role of the United States in policing the global commons encompassing high seas, airspace, cyberspace, and outer space. The speakers stress the need for robust enforcement of international laws and norms to secure these domains for peaceful interactions. They caution against disruptive actors like the Houthis challenging established norms, thereby necessitating a proactive approach to enforcement. Furthermore, the discussion extends to the importance of alliances and shared defense responsibilities in upholding global stability and deterring common adversaries.
President Reagan knew a detent with the Soviet Union wouldn’t win the Cold War. If we take off the gloves and force Soviet communism to compete with American democracy, he thought, the U.S. will prevail. In a phrase: “We win, they lose.” He was right. The U.S. won. The Soviet Union collapsed.
But in the decades since as America’s role in the world diminished and the rules-based order decayed, Russia relapsed. And as he puts back the pieces of a shattered Soviet Union one illegal land-grab at a time, Putin is hardly the only despot hellbent on resurrecting an imperial renaissance in the shadows of American retrenchment.
Also jonesing for a rise from the ash heap of history are the Islamist regime in Tehran and Chinese Communist Party in Beijing. Together with Moscow, they’ve formed a neo-imperialist axis to take on the West in a New Cold War.
With the U.S. facing multiple nuclear-powered adversaries in a conflict for the first time ever, the second Cold War is shaping up to be far more dangerous than the first. With such high stakes, CWII’s outcome will no doubt be a decisive chapter in modern history.
The task of navigating the free world through this crisis falls on one desk (you know the one). And while he who will sit behind it remains uncertain, the possibilities can be narrowed down to two. Both have sat there before.
So far, only one has a tailored roadmap for winning Cold War II, and it’s based entirely on Reagan’s playbook. The experts behind the strategy (AKA their new book: We Win, They Lose: Republican Foreign Policy and the New Cold War) are Matthew Kroenig and Dan Negrea. They join host Cliff May who has some questions for them.
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