PODCAST: Syria, Secrets, and Some Snark

What is the future of U.S.-Chinese relations? Will a rising China seek to overturn the U.S.-led international order? What is China doing inside the first island chain? In cyberspace? Orbital space? Is China more like Imperial Germany or is it more like France in the late 19th century? Dean Cheng and Brad Carson explore these questions and many more in the inaugural episode of "Jaw-Jaw," the newest addition to the War on the Rocks family of podcasts. Dean even recommends some of his favorite books on China – which will be a regular "Jaw-Jaw" feature. You can read the entire transcript of this episode at War on the Rocks. And, more importantly, you can subscribe to the "Jaw-Jaw" feed right here! Biographies Dean Cheng is Senior Research Fellow, Asian Studies Center, Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy, at the Heritage Foundation. He specializes in China's military and foreign policy, in particular China's relationship with its Asian neighbors and with the United States. His most recent book is Cyber Dragon: Inside China's Information Warfare and Cyber Operations (2016). Cheng is a frequent media commentator on China-related issues. Brad Carson is a professor at the University of Virginia, where he teaches in the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2001-2005 and was Undersecretary of the Army and acting Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness in the Obama Administration. He welcomes comments at brad.carson@warontherocks.com. Links Richard E. Nisbett, The Geography of Thought: How Asians and Westerners Think Differently…and Why (Free Press, 2004). Alfred Wilhelm, The Chinese at the Negotiating Table: Style & Characteristics (Diane Publishing Co., 1994). David Finkelstein and James Mulvenon (Eds), China's Revolution in Doctrinal Affairs: Emerging Trends in the Operational Art of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (Center for Naval Analyses, 2005)

13 Nov 201852min

This week's Net Assessment podcast featured a deep-dive into the Vice President's early October speech on the competition with China. Largely drowned out by the Kavanaugh SCOTUS controversy, Melanie, Chris, and Bryan give this important speech due consideration, to include administration views on Taiwan, China's defense buildup, and its growing global influence. The crew also discussed foreign aid, the F-35, the deficit, the alleged assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, and the resignation of Nikki Haley. All of this while celebrating Melanie's birthday. Vice President's Speech Remarks by Vice President Pence on the Administration's Policy Toward China Ethan Epstein, "How China Infiltrated US Classrooms," Politico, January 16, 2018. Glenn Thrush, "Trump Embraces Foreign Aid to Counter China's Global Influence," New York Times, October 14, 2018. Jim DeBrosse, "Waiting for the Great Leap Forward," Cincinnati Magazine, May 4, 2017. Alan Rappeport, "In New Slap at China, US Expands Power to Block Foreign Investments," New York Times, October 10, 2018. Jane Perlez and Yufan Huang, "Behind China's $1 Trillion Plan to Shake Up the Economic Order," New York Times, May 13, 2017. Adva Saldinger, "A New US Development Finance Agency Takes Flight," Devex, October 4, 2018 Glenn Thrush, "Trump Embraces Foreign Aid to Counter China's Global Influence," The New York Times, October 14, 2018 Airing of Grievances https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna920191 https://www.pogo.org/investigation/2018/09/exclusive-f-35-program-facing-another-setback/ https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/16/trumps-tax-cut-didnt-reduce-the-deficit--despite-his-many-promises.html Attaboys https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2018/10/12/western-walkout-saudi-davos-desert-conference-over-jamal-khashoggi-undermines-kingdoms-modernization-plans/ https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/16/trumps-tax-cut-didnt-reduce-the-deficit--despite-his-many-promises.html https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/09/politics/nikki-haley-resignation/index.html

18 Okt 201848min

Can two great power publications peacefully co-exist? Or are they fated to clash? And what if you throw nuclear weapons into the mix? Gideon Rose and Ryan Evans, the benevolent editorial autocrats of Foreign Affairs and War on the Rocks seek to answer these questions and more. They dive deep into a new special issue of Foreign Affairs: "Do Nuclear Weapons Matter?" The issue features a diverse range of thinkers on nuke – some of whom have also written for WOTR – including Elbridge Colby, John Mueller, Olga Oliker, Scott Sagan, Caitlin Talmadge, and Nina Tannenwald. Gideon and Ryan also dish about editing, dealing with different kinds of authors, and whether wordsmithing drives them to drink. After this display of inter-publication generosity, Ryan demands the unconditional surrender of Foreign Affairs.

16 Okt 20181h

What happens when a libertarian, a conservative hawk, and a constitutional powers specialist walk into a podcast studio? 'Net Assessment' happens. Welcome to the hottest new national security podcast hosted by Melanie Marlowe, Christopher Preble, and Bryan McGrath. This is a show about competing visions of America's role in the world. In each episode, they will be discussing a featured article, airing their grievances, and giving attaboys. In the first episode of this bi-weekly series, our hosts introduce themselves and their hopes for this podcast. They tackle this episode's featured article, Adrian Lewis' "The Ivory Tower and Academic Ignorance of What the Armed Forces Actually Do," published by Task & Purpose. They also discuss the role of American seapower and, of course, Twitter feuds. Don't forget to subscribe to Net Assessment on your podcast app of choice. Adrian Lewis, "The Ivory Tower And Academic Ignorance Of What The Armed Forces Actually Do," Task and Purpose, September 20, 2018. Ken Buck, "Congress, Take Your War Powers Back," Wall Street Journal, September 24, 2018. Dion Nissenbaum, "Top U.S. Diplomat Backed Continuing Support for Saudi War in Yemen Over Objections of Staff," Wall Street Journal, September 20, 2018. Nicholas Kristof, "Be Outraged by America's Role in Yemen's Misery," New York Times, September 26, 2018. Claudia Grisales and Corey Dickstein, "Vice Adm. Faller: 'I Was Cleared of All Wrongdoing' in 'Fat Leonard' Case," Stars and Stripes, September 25, 2018. Chico Harlan, "Vatican and China Reach 'Provisional' Deal on Appointment of Bishops," Washington Post, September 22, 2018. Corey Dickstein, "House Lawmakers Confused over US Military's Goals in Syria as Pentagon Maintains Focus on ISIS," Stars and Stripes, September 26, 2018. Joshua Keating, "Why John Bolton is So Obsessed with the International Criminal Court," Slate, September 10, 2018 Base Redevelopment Forum, Association of Defense Communities, Portland, Maine, October 8-10, 2018. The Hell of Good Intentions: America's Foreign Policy Elite and the Decline of U.S. Primacy by Stephen M. Walt, Book Forum with the author, Cato Institute, October 17, 2018.

4 Okt 201840min

Half a century later, the Vietnam War continues to shape U.S. foreign policy, from its debates over foreign intervention to the institutions of its military. Why does the war remain such a poignant influence, and what lessons have policymakers, scholars, and the public learned (or failed to learn) from America's disastrous campaign in Southeast Asia? WOTR Managing Editor Usha Sahay had the chance to discuss the legacy of Vietnam with an all-star cast in Austin, Texas.

21 Sep 201848min

How should the U.S. military prepare for the conflicts of the future? Military threats in the cyber, digital, and information domains present new training challenges. Synthetic training" seeks to address these obstacles - but what is it, anyway, how does it work in practice, and is the military trying to throw too much new tech at the problem? Managing Editor Usha Sahay discussed the future of military training with three experts in the perfect setting: over cocktails in a seaside mansion-turned-bar in Newport, Rhode Island.

13 Sep 201843min

In this episode, Ryan sat down with Gen. David Goldfein, the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. We had an in-depth, candid conversation about his service's personnel challenges, the selection and education of leaders, as well as strategy, warfighting, and the books that have influenced him. Goldfein also explained why he engaged with the pseudonymous Col. 'Ned Stark' and why it is so important for people in the Air Force to write and publicly engage. Many of the questions I asked came from War on the Rocks members in our members only forum, the War Hall. You can become a member too.

29 Aug 201856min

The War on the Rocks podcast celebrates its 100th episode with a blockbuster group of close friends of the site. The entire episode is an attempt to answer a straightforward, but devilishly complex question: Is a major inter-state war likely in the next several years? Join Ryan Evans as he corrals Kori Schake, Frank Gavin, Colin Kahl, William Inboden, and Hal Brands to sort through the scenarios, opportunities, and possibilities (over drinks, of course). This question and discussion started in the War Hall, our members-only forum that you can sign up for right here.

31 Juli 20181h 2min