Debate experts Rick Waters and Dan Blumenthal discuss the progress in creating a 'floor' in US-China relations. They explore the evolving global order, channels for crisis resolution, managing challenges, the role of third parties, and the impact of evolving US politics. They also highlight the importance of demonstrating the success of democracy amidst global threats.

This podcast episode is a joint and cross-over episode between the CSIS ChinaPower Podcast and the German Marshall Fund’s China Global Podcast. We are joined by Bonnie Glaser, Jessica Chen Weiss, and Thomas Christensen to discuss their recently released article titled “Taiwan and the True Sources of Deterrence.” The authors underline the article’s key point, that assurances, alongside threats, are an integral part of effective deterrence. They emphasize that in order for deterrence to work, the threat of punishment must be not only credible but also conditional. Finally, the authors outline what actions each of the three actors- the U.S., China, and Taiwan- should take to effectively convey assurances to one another.Ms. Bonnie Glaser is the managing director of the German Marshall Fund’s Indo-Pacific program. She is also a nonresident fellow with the Lowy Institute in Sydney, Australia, and a senior associate with the Pacific Forum. She was previously senior adviser for Asia and the director of the China Power Project at CSIS. Ms. Glaser has worked at the intersection of Asia-Pacific geopolitics and U.S. policy for more than three decades.Dr. Jessica Chen Weiss is a professor for China and Asia-Pacific Studies in the Department of Government at Cornell University. She was previously an assistant professor at Yale University and founded the Forum for American/Chinese Exchange at Stanford University. Formerly, Dr. Weiss served as senior advisor to the Secretary’s Policy Planning Staff at the U.S. State Department on a Council on Foreign Relations Fellowship for Tenured International Relations Scholars.Dr. Thomas Christensen is a professor of Public and International Affairs and Director of the China and World Program at Columbia University. Prior to this, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs with responsibility for relations with China, Taiwan, and Mongolia. His research and teaching focus is on China’s foreign relations, the international relations of East Asia, and international security.

In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, we are joined by Mr. July Amador to discuss the Philippines’s view of the recent escalation of tensions in the South China Sea and China’s behavior in the waters and beyond. Mr. Amador dives into China’s coercive tactics in the Second Thomas Shoal and the Scarborough Shoal and its repeated violations of international law in those areas. He speaks to China’s advantages in resources and the staying power it possesses, giving it an edge over the Philippines and other regional actors. Mr. Amador highlights the need for collective action by the international community to condemn China’s actions and further bolster support and resources for the Philippines. July Amador is executive director of the Philippine-American Educational Foundation. Previously, he was a civil servant in the Philippine government working on foreign affairs and national security. He continues to be active in Track 1.5 and Track 2 diplomacy and specializes on Philippine foreign policy and national security, US-Philippine alliance, and regional security.

Dr. Dawn Murphy discusses China's engagement with the Middle East and its efforts to build an alternative world order in the region. She explains China's motives, its relationship with Israel, and its approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Despite its growing influence, China is not actively seeking to end the conflict. China benefits from a stable Middle East, and there is potential for US-China common ground.

Dr. Daniel Kliman discusses the new special report on China's information manipulation. He highlights China's tactics, including propaganda, censorship, and digital authoritarianism. The podcast also explores China-Russia cooperation in information manipulation and the role of technology. Strategies to address this challenge are suggested for the United States and its allies.

Ilaria Mazzocco, an analyst of China's automotive industry, discusses the rapid developments in China's automotive industry, the popularity of Chinese-manufactured vehicles and brands, and the need for the US and European companies to be more innovative to compete with China. The podcast explores the evolution of China's auto industry, its position as the world's largest vehicle exporter, security concerns with Chinese electric vehicles, China's dominance in battery production, and the challenges of supply chains.

Ian Johnson, author of Sparks: China's Underground Historians and Their Battle for the Future, discusses underground historians in China and their battle for control of the country's history. He explains how these historians challenge the official narrative and potentially shape the future trajectory of China. Johnson urges Western intellectuals to engage with these historians and recognize their work in an authoritarian system.

David Logan and Phil Saunders discuss China’s expansion of its nuclear capabilities and the reasons behind it. They explore China's modernization efforts, changes in nuclear policy and doctrine, removal of rocket force commanders, pursuit of tactical nuclear weapons, and China-Russia cooperation in nuclear issues.

Eric Huang and Fei-fan Lin, representing KMT and DPP respectively, discuss Taiwan's 2024 Presidential Elections. They share insights on political agendas, cross-Strait relations, and Vice President Lai's US transit. The guests highlight the basis for a dialogue with China proposed by each candidate and provide pointers for election watchers. Topics include defense capabilities, polling results, important dates, and the impact on cross-strait relations.

Vanda Felbab-Brown, an expert on China's role in the fentanyl epidemic, discusses the global spread of fentanyl and synthetic drugs, China's complex relationship with drug networks, and the challenges in intelligence sharing and combating criminal networks between the US and China.