School of War Ep 183: Tom Cotton on China
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Mar 11, 2025 Tom Cotton, a U.S. Senator from Arkansas and author of "Seven Things You Can't Say About China," shares insights from his military service and political career. He discusses the CCP’s global ambitions and highlights bipartisan concerns over China's influence on human rights and security. Cotton analyzes China's early COVID-19 response and its potential economic stagnation, which could lead to increased aggression towards Taiwan. He also delves into the challenges posed by geopolitical threats from Russia and Iran, emphasizing the importance of a strong U.S. defense.
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Early China Concerns
- Tom Cotton recalls Jiang Zemin's 1997 Harvard visit.
- He sided with liberal students criticizing Harvard for hosting Zemin due to China's oppression of Tibetans.
Shifting Bipartisanship
- While China concerns generally unite Americans, the political left's stance has shifted.
- Some on the left now sympathize with China due to shared ideological leanings, hindering bipartisan efforts.
Wuhan Outbreak Response
- Senator Cotton details his early focus on the Wuhan outbreak, advocating for a travel ban in January 2020.
- Despite criticism, he highlighted China's unusual travel patterns and raised concerns about the virus's origins.
