Geopolitical Risk Considerations

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Geopolitical Risk Considerations: The Biden Administration and U.S. Foreign Policy Challenges

Zack Cooper, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and lecturer at Princeton University, joins us for an engaging discussion about geopolitical issues today.

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Podcast: Geopolitical Risk Considerations: The Biden Administration and U.S. Foreign Policy Challenges

Zack Cooper, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and lecturer at Princeton University, joins us for an engaging discussion about geopolitical issues today. We explore China’s geopolitical and military ambitions, varying opinions on responding to economic downturn and Taiwan tensions, the challenges of the U.S.-China conflict over Taiwan, and more.

Key Highlights

[00:00 – 09:14] Exploring China’s Geopolitical and Military Ambitions

Japan and South Korea have never had an independent diplomatic meeting outside of a more significant summit
The U.S. and Japan have had their differences going back to World War II, but Japan and Korea never had the same forcing function
China is playing a significant role in pushing Japan and Korea together as they trust China less than each other
The Camp David Summit is about trying to make it more difficult for them to focus on historical issues and force them into the future

[09:15 – 17:39] Split Opinions on Responding to Economic Downturn and Taiwan Tensions

Xi Jinping’s thinking is uncertain, and both a weak, inward-looking China and an aggressive, brittle China are possible
Russia’s experiment of consolidating national unity by attacking Ukraine has not worked out
Taiwan is different from Ukraine, and it is unclear what the U.S. commitments are with Taiwan
Chinese people have delivered remarkable economic growth in the past decades, but now the growth numbers for this year are lower

[17:40 – 24:42] Examining the Challenges of the U.S.-China Conflict Over Taiwan

The Biden team has three pillars of their approach: Invest, Align, and Compete with China
Taiwan has strategic value as it is close to U.S. treaty alliances with Japan and the Philippines
China trying to invade Taiwan is one of the hardest things militarily in the world
The U.S. Navy is smaller than China’s, and U.S. facilities and people in the region would be under threat if a conflict arises

[24:43 – 37:22] Examining Command and Control in Southeast Asia

U.S. could strike the Chinese mainland if a decision is made in Oval Office or White House Situation Room
China hasn’t been involved in a major conflict for 50 years, and technology is different now

Additional Links

Zack’s Twitter: @ZackCooper

Connect with Brian on LinkedIn!

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