Critics of the US say that Washington is forcing a new Cold War with the PRC. But liberal nations around the world are pushing back on Beijing’s aggressive actions, separately from the US. From the UK to Japan, Australia, and India, democratic states are deciding that the PRC threatens their interests. John and Misha talk about what it’s not about (Washington, London, or Tokyo), but about Beijing.
Misha and John are joined by Eunice Yoon, the Beijing bureau chief for CNBC. They discuss China’s view of Biden and the US, whether the Chinese economy is as strong as touted, Xi Jinping, Belt and Road, and the AI race. Eunice also talks about how she wound up in Beijing, whether she’s surveilled by the police, and why she’s such a fan of cars.
Misha and John are joined by Admiral Phil Davidson, Commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, for his last public interview before retiring from the Navy. Adm. Davidson discusses what it’s like to run the world’s largest military command, the weapons systems he’d like to have, China’s growing challenge, the threat of Chinese and North Korean nuclear weapons, and working with allies.
Misha and John are joined by Robin Harding, Tokyo bureau chief for the Financial Times. They discuss the summit between President Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Suga, their plans to deepen the US-Japan alliance, the threat from China, cooperation on 5G, and the future of Japanese politics.
Misha and John are joined by special co-host Mike Gallagher to talk with their new Hoover colleague, Matt Pottinger, former Deputy National Security Advisor. Matt discusses Chinese pressure on western businesses, the role of Congress in dealing with Chinese investment policies, how to think about the military competition, and how he got involved in Chinese studies.
Misha is joined by Tom Tugendhat MP, Oxford’s Rana Mitter, and Cindy Yu, of The Spectator, to talk about the UK’s new Integrated Review and its focus on China and the Indo-Pacific. They discuss London’s focus on expanding Britain’s presence in Asia, how London will deal with China, the role of US-UK cooperation in Asia under the Biden Administration, and how Britain will work with Asian partners like Australia, Japan, and India.
John and Misha are joined by Eric Schmidt, former Chairman and CEO of Google/Alphabet and chairman of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence. Eric discusses the ways in which the US can win the tech competition with China, why AI is the crucial technology of the future, the proper role of government policy, the divide between Washington and Silicon Valley, where the US fell short in 5G, building talent at home, and how to work with techno-democracies.
John and Misha are joined by Tom Tugendhat MP, from London, for a discussion with Michele Flournoy, Undersecretary of Defense for Policy in the Obama Administration, on the China challenge, whether the US is maintaining its edge in the Pacific, the role of allies, the impact of new technologies, and the threat of war.
Misha hosts the Royal Navy’s White Ensign, for a talk with Britain’s First Sea Lord, Admiral Tony Radakin. They discuss why the Royal Navy is returning to the Asia-Pacific, the upcoming deployment of the new HMS Queen Elizabeth to the South China Sea, the China challenge, and cooperation with the US Navy, Royal Australian Navy, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
Misha and John travel to Hong Kong to talk with Dominic Ziegler, longtime Asia correspondent for The Economist and the author of the paper’s “Banyan” column. They discuss whether there will be blood in Burma after the military coup last week, then they switch to talking about new Chinese threats to the South China Sea, what Asia fears about Joe Biden’s policies, and finally, the tragedy of Hong Kong under PRC rule.
Misha and John are joined by their Hoover colleague and director of the State Department’s Policy Planning Staff, Peter Berkowitz, to discuss his major report on China. Inspired by George Kennan’s famous Long Telegram, Peter discusses the sources of Chinese conduct and the challenge to US and global interests
This week, John and Misha talk with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about the Trump Administration’s China policy. What were their successes? What more did he wish he could have done? Most important, where does America go from here? After visiting with the Secretary, Misha and John talk about China’s latest repression in Hong Kong, about threats to Taiwan, and about whether the US intelligence community is accurately analyzing China.
This week, John returns as Pacific Century visits London, to talk with Tom Tugendhat MP. Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee in the House of Commons and head of the China Research Group, Tom discusses the China Research Group’s new report on dealing with a more assertive Chinese Communist Party. He explains how the UK’s China policy has evolved over the past several years, including its turnaround on Huawei. He also looks ahead at how London might work with the new Biden administration.
This week, Pacific Century talks to General Kenneth Wilsbach, the commander of Pacific Air Forces. General Wilsbach talks about the US Air Force’s role at the tip of the spear in the Indo-Pacific. A fighter pilot who has flown America’s most advanced jets, General Wilsbach discusses the Chinese air threat, North Korea’s nukes, the crucial alliance partners of the US, and the new technologies that will change aerial warfare.
China expert and CSIS China Chair Jude Blanchette joins the Pacific Century to lay bare the political workings of the CCP. Jude explains what the recent Fifth Plenum was and why it’s important for China’s long-term planning. Jude also discusses the CCP’s state capitalism policy and dissects both the strengths and weaknesses of the Leninist state in a new era of competition with the United States.
Misha and John welcome an American hero to Pacific Century. Former Secretary of State and current Hoover Distinguished Fellow George Shultz discusses how China’s shrinking labor force will reduce productivity and economic growth. He also gives insights into his dealings with the Chinese during the Reagan Administration. Then, John and Misha discuss the rebirth of the “Quad” among the US, Japan, Australia, and India, and whether the Europeans can play any role in the Indo-Pacific.
Misha and John discuss John’s new book, Defender-in-Chief: Donald Trump’s Fight for Presidential Power (St. Martin’s Press 2020). They discuss whether a Trump Doctrine exists and if so, what its core tenants are concerning the US and world power. Misha and John argue over whether Trump represents a sharp break in US foreign policy as well as what to expect concerning US relations with China in the coming years. Will the US/China relationship be the start of a new Cold War, a bump in the road, or something different?
Just two days after Pacific Century interviewed Japan’s Defense Minister, Misha returns solo for breaking news: Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, unexpectedly resigned. Misha discusses Abe’s legacy, how he changed Japan, and what his resignation means for Japan, Asia, and the United States.
