ChinaTalk

Jake Newby, author of Concrete Avalanche, shares his top Chinese music picks for 2024. He explores an eclectic mix of genres, from psychedelic rock to rare Uyghur folk tunes. Discover vibrant tracks like 'Narcissus' Death' and 'Mountains in Yukashima.' The conversation dives into the cultural influences behind these sounds, including kawaii core and Tibetan chants. With each song, listeners are treated to a vivid soundscape that showcases China's dynamic musical landscape this year.

Eliot Cohen, a military historian and SAIS professor who advised Condoleezza Rice, dives deep into the interplay of Shakespeare and power. He shares how political leaders can learn from literary soliloquies to enhance their public speaking. The conversation explores the daunting nature of royal authority, the complexities of relinquishing power, and the timeless art of persuasion. Cohen reflects on historical figures like Nixon and draws parallels between Shakespearean themes and contemporary leadership challenges, offering insights on effective communication and the burdens of leadership.

In this discussion, J. Kevin McKittrick, a US Army Field Artillery Lieutenant Colonel and Iraq/Afghanistan veteran, shares his insights on the strategic decisions of WWII regarding Taiwan. He highlights the aborted American invasion plan and the critical lessons it holds for today's military strategies. The conversation touches on why bigger forces succeed in amphibious assaults, the continuing relevance of traditional artillery, and Taiwan's defense posture amid geopolitical tensions. McKittrick also critiques the CCP's handling of civil-military relations and why the US doesn't need a rocket force just yet.

Jared McKinney, an expert from the Air War College, and Peter Harris, a Professor at Colorado State University, discuss the precarious situation in Taiwan amidst a backdrop of daily cyberattacks and military drills by China. They delve into the dynamics of deterrence, examining the decay of current strategies and proposing ways for Taiwan to enhance its defense. The conversation highlights the complexities of decision-making under pressure, the risks of symbolic gestures, and the significance of strategic ambiguity in preventing conflict. Tune in for an insightful analysis!

Pablo Chavez, a Fellow at CNAS and former VP at Google Cloud, joins Kevin Xu, founder of Interconnected, to delve into the complex world of AI governance and digital sovereignty. They discuss how lawmakers can differentiate between good and bad AI and explore China’s Great Firewall as a lesson for digital sovereignty. The conversation highlights the geopolitical competition shaping national AI strategies and the promise and peril of open-source technologies, revealing how these trends may redefine the future of global tech.

Nathan Lambert, a Bay Area-based CS PhD and writer for the Interconnects newsletter, joins to discuss the psyche of AI engineers in Silicon Valley and what Washington should understand about it. He explores the advancements of GPT-40 and the implications of Google's AI Dev Day, emphasizing the race for innovation. The conversation delves into the contrasting cultures of OpenAI and Google, the importance of user-centric design in AI, and how increased computational power reshapes organizational dynamics. It's a deep yet engaging dive into the current state and future of AI.

Douglas Irwin, a Dartmouth professor and author of 'Clashing Over Commerce,' dives into 250 years of U.S. trade policy. He highlights the flawed logic behind the Tariff Act of 1930, revealing alarming parallels to today's political thinking. Irwin also shares insights on 'tariff engineering,' explaining how Honda cleverly circumvented high tariffs. The conversation spans key historical events, from the Great Depression to Reagan's contradictory policies, shedding light on the intricate and often contentious nature of American trade dynamics.

Brad Setser, an expert on international finance from the Council on Foreign Relations, dives deep into Biden's new tariffs and their impact on U.S.-China relations. He discusses the complexities of U.S. trade policies and how they adapt to China's rise in electric vehicle manufacturing. Setser highlights the challenges of U.S. reliance on Chinese imports, particularly in the battery sector, and examines vulnerabilities in the supply chain for critical materials. The conversation cleverly mixes serious economic analysis with light-hearted musings about diplomacy and nostalgia.

Charles Clancy, CTO of MITRE, brings insights on national science and technology strategy. He discusses how MITRE supports government agencies while addressing the growing threats to America’s infrastructure from China. Clancy highlights the alarming cybersecurity workforce gap and suggests that AI could be a key solution. The conversation also dives into the evolution of R&D funding and stresses the importance of collaboration among academia, startups, and government to drive innovation in technology.

Viola Zhou, a journalist at Rest of World, dives into TSMC's ambitious expansion to Arizona. She discusses the cultural clashes faced by Taiwanese engineers adapting to American work environments, revealing tales of rigid hierarchies and surprising workplace quirks. The conversation touches on the challenges of integrating diverse teams in manufacturing and draws parallels with Foxconn's venture into India. Furthermore, they explore the potential impact of adapting to U.S. workplace culture on TSMC’s future success in the Valley.