Apparently there's a lot of top secret documents being leaked on the online game War Thunder thanks to arguments between players and devs over in game stats. Are there other examples of folks using classified docs in such unusual situations like this?
Feb 7, 2023·edited Feb 7, 2023Liked by Daniel Bessner
What are the middle powers like Canada, Australia, etc. supposed to actually *do* in response to Chinese aggression or assertiveness? Even though Sinophobia and Red Scare tactics are prevalent, there are still legitimate grievances and issues.
It seems like the middle powers, especially those who are resource exporters, have no leverage against China, but even if they try to be conciliatory or capitulate, they can be forced into conflict. For example, how Canada was placed in an awful position by the US's case against Meng Wanzhou, and the spy balloon flew over Canada and involved NORAD.
I know Danny has mentioned this several times about how the deep connections between the American and Chinese economies makes this new Cold War very different than the last so I was wondering if he could elaborate on how that fact you think will affect the course of this Cold War? I think you have mentioned you don’t believe the US would do anything militarily if China invaded Taiwan but what about potential further conflicts in east Asia? And what would you say the restrainer approach to China should be?
has world systems theory influenced your thought? What are the longue-duree developments in global interstate politics and economics that you see as being determinative for future political economy on the international scale?
Finally, do you have any particular works of world systems theory that you'd highly recommend?
More for Danny: Do you tend more toward forms of socialism that utilize market-based principles or more central planning marxist-leninist style socialism? What are the foreign policy implications for leftists of these different forms?
What do you make of the uptick in activity in the West Bank from groups like the Lions Den and the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades? It seems like we’re entering a new phase in terms of Palestinian resistance to the occupation, but I’d love to know what you guys think.
Thanks producer Jake. I’d be interesting in knowing: How is the “new Cold War” with China playing out in the third world? Will we see the world split into two or more blocks again?
Thinking in particular about Danny's work on democratizing foreign policy with this one. What are your thoughts on the current prospects for US leftists to better organize around FP and international solidarity issues at more regional/local levels (e.g. a local electoral campaign, union drive, DSA chapter, etc)?
Do you see new potential for more making radical change to US FP a more robust part of our organizing, especially beyond top circles of leftist academics, journalists, and leading activists at major orgs (e.g. big DSA's Intl Committee)? Or are the many barriers preventing this type of work too limiting (and/or the prospect for radical FP change and solidarity just too bleak)? Thanks!
I hear a lot about the "New Cold War" between the US and China. Personally, I think this is just a media narrative, but I'd love to hear from the experts. Do you think there's a "New Cold War"? If yes, what makes you say that? If no, why do you think the media and political establishment are pushing this narrative?
This is a question about one time the US disarmed itself unilaterally and seemingly without precondition.
In arms control circles, Nixon is widely recognized as abruptly spearheading a unilateral ban on bio weapons research by the US and was successful in bringing together the USSR and other nations to ratify the Biological Weapons Convention in the mid 1970’s. I am generally convinced that Nixon’s influence is correctly attributed, but it leaves me with a big plot hole.
Given the subsequent skirting of the BWC in both domestic and international recent history (including it’s political use against Iraq et al.) I am genuinely confused what influenced Nixon thinking about unilateral action. The quality of it being unilateral is itself an extremely rare American foreign policy calculation. Is this a genuine example of the empire trying to throw its influence around for good? Were bioweapons simply not as pressing as missiles? Does arms control even have a good legacy or is it glorified planned obsolescence while the next gen weapons tech is studied?
Does Russia still control trade in the Black Sea? If Russia can just keep controlling the trade there, will the Ukraine economy wither? Will they eventually be forced to trade with Russia or through Russian management with other countries?
Can we get a cross-over episode with the people at the China-in-Africa podcast/project? They've been pretty good for a long time, and I've never heard anyone in US "leftist" circles ever even mention them. It's really good shit, although I confess I only check in with them every now and then. Great perspective and interesting angle to look at the wider world, particularly for the insularity that dominates US discussions.
Apparently there's a lot of top secret documents being leaked on the online game War Thunder thanks to arguments between players and devs over in game stats. Are there other examples of folks using classified docs in such unusual situations like this?
What are the middle powers like Canada, Australia, etc. supposed to actually *do* in response to Chinese aggression or assertiveness? Even though Sinophobia and Red Scare tactics are prevalent, there are still legitimate grievances and issues.
It seems like the middle powers, especially those who are resource exporters, have no leverage against China, but even if they try to be conciliatory or capitulate, they can be forced into conflict. For example, how Canada was placed in an awful position by the US's case against Meng Wanzhou, and the spy balloon flew over Canada and involved NORAD.
Thanks!
I know Danny has mentioned this several times about how the deep connections between the American and Chinese economies makes this new Cold War very different than the last so I was wondering if he could elaborate on how that fact you think will affect the course of this Cold War? I think you have mentioned you don’t believe the US would do anything militarily if China invaded Taiwan but what about potential further conflicts in east Asia? And what would you say the restrainer approach to China should be?
Thanks so much guys I really enjoy the podcast!
has world systems theory influenced your thought? What are the longue-duree developments in global interstate politics and economics that you see as being determinative for future political economy on the international scale?
Finally, do you have any particular works of world systems theory that you'd highly recommend?
Thanks mates! Love the show
Matt why aren't you letting Derek unionize?
More for Danny: Do you tend more toward forms of socialism that utilize market-based principles or more central planning marxist-leninist style socialism? What are the foreign policy implications for leftists of these different forms?
What do you make of the uptick in activity in the West Bank from groups like the Lions Den and the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades? It seems like we’re entering a new phase in terms of Palestinian resistance to the occupation, but I’d love to know what you guys think.
Thanks producer Jake. I’d be interesting in knowing: How is the “new Cold War” with China playing out in the third world? Will we see the world split into two or more blocks again?
What are your thoughts on the "historian" Timothy David Snyder?
this is totally random but Danny I'm curious -- why do you live in LA while still affiliated with UW in Seattle?
Thinking in particular about Danny's work on democratizing foreign policy with this one. What are your thoughts on the current prospects for US leftists to better organize around FP and international solidarity issues at more regional/local levels (e.g. a local electoral campaign, union drive, DSA chapter, etc)?
Do you see new potential for more making radical change to US FP a more robust part of our organizing, especially beyond top circles of leftist academics, journalists, and leading activists at major orgs (e.g. big DSA's Intl Committee)? Or are the many barriers preventing this type of work too limiting (and/or the prospect for radical FP change and solidarity just too bleak)? Thanks!
I hear a lot about the "New Cold War" between the US and China. Personally, I think this is just a media narrative, but I'd love to hear from the experts. Do you think there's a "New Cold War"? If yes, what makes you say that? If no, why do you think the media and political establishment are pushing this narrative?
This is a question about one time the US disarmed itself unilaterally and seemingly without precondition.
In arms control circles, Nixon is widely recognized as abruptly spearheading a unilateral ban on bio weapons research by the US and was successful in bringing together the USSR and other nations to ratify the Biological Weapons Convention in the mid 1970’s. I am generally convinced that Nixon’s influence is correctly attributed, but it leaves me with a big plot hole.
Given the subsequent skirting of the BWC in both domestic and international recent history (including it’s political use against Iraq et al.) I am genuinely confused what influenced Nixon thinking about unilateral action. The quality of it being unilateral is itself an extremely rare American foreign policy calculation. Is this a genuine example of the empire trying to throw its influence around for good? Were bioweapons simply not as pressing as missiles? Does arms control even have a good legacy or is it glorified planned obsolescence while the next gen weapons tech is studied?
Thoughts on CELAC/future of CELAC? Love the show!
Does Russia still control trade in the Black Sea? If Russia can just keep controlling the trade there, will the Ukraine economy wither? Will they eventually be forced to trade with Russia or through Russian management with other countries?
Can we get a cross-over episode with the people at the China-in-Africa podcast/project? They've been pretty good for a long time, and I've never heard anyone in US "leftist" circles ever even mention them. It's really good shit, although I confess I only check in with them every now and then. Great perspective and interesting angle to look at the wider world, particularly for the insularity that dominates US discussions.