The battle to bring evidence-based policymaking into diplomacy

How the NSTC could change our shape the future

What happened when Mao and Stalin died? What does that tell us about the post-Xi era?

Recorded July 2021. Abe Shinzo is second only to Xi as the most consequential East Asian politician of the 21st century

This was a really good episode.

<p>In 1991, a young Chinese academic published <em>America against America</em>, a look at the contradictions and paradoxes he observed while traveling there. His book was largely forgotten until last year when it went viral for its observations on US cultural decline, becoming a hot topic on Chinese-language forums.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It was no less fascinating for who its author was. Wang Huning is today one of the top leaders in the CCP and a member of the Politburo Standing Committee. Freelance journalist Chang Che (<a href="https://twitter.com/Changxche" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@Changxche</a>) sat down to talk with me about the book and what it tells us about Chinese interpretations of US - and Western - culture.</p><br><p>We also discuss</p><p><br></p><ul><li>The Shanghai lockdown</li><li>Why the teaching of Western classical civilization took off in China...</li><li>...But also makes very little mention of religion</li><li>The CCP take on the US culture wars and rewriting curriculums</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>CHECK OUT THE CHINATALK SUBSTACK! </strong><a href="https://chinatalk.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>https://chinatalk.substack.com</strong></a></p><p>Support us on Patreon! <a href="https://www.patreon.com/ChinaTalk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/ChinaTalk</a></p><br><p>Chang’s Wang Huning Article: <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/books/second-read/how-a-book-about-americas-history-foretold-chinas-future" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.newyorker.com/books/second-read/how-a-book-about-americas-history-foretold-chinas-future</a></p><p>Chang’s western classics education article: <a href="https://supchina.com/2022/01/13/china-looks-to-the-western-classics/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://supchina.com/2022/01/13/china-looks-to-the-western-classics/</a></p><br><p>Outro Music: 锦上添花 FREESTYLE by 盛宇 Damnshine <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRaoDr1Cbbg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRaoDr1Cbbg</a></p><p><br></p> <a target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href="https://open.acast.com/public/patreon/fanSubscribe/1959352">Get bonus content on Patreon</a><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>

<p>Is a nuclear arms race inevitable? China has been building up its nuclear arsenal over the past few years. While it remains significantly smaller than the US and Russia’s, what does this mean for geopolitics against the backdrop of US-China tensions and the Russian invasion of Ukraine?</p><br><p>Tong Zhao (<a href="https://twitter.com/zhaot2005?lang=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@zhaot2005</a>) is a fellow at the Carnegie Center in Beijing who focuses on China’s nuclear program. Co-hosting is Schwarzmann Scholar <a href="https://www.schwarzmanscholars.org/scholars/#raven-witherspoon" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Raven Witherspoon</a>.</p><br><p>We also discuss</p><p><br></p><ul><li>Why China sees NATO as the aggressor and Russia as the victim</li><li>Why policy experts’ lack of technical literacy is a big problem</li><li>How China understands nuclear deterrence</li><li>China’s argument for Putin being a rational actor</li><li>Whether there is any hope</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Outro music: 七里香 Remix (original version by Jay Chou) by MACOVASEAS <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVvpgNG0giM" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVvpgNG0giM</a></p><br><p>ChinaTalk is on Substack! See, share, subscribe: <a href="https://chinatalk.substack.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://chinatalk.substack.com</a></p><br><p>Also now on Youtube! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXOtILmQEo3pL_1bJfUOFWw" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXOtILmQEo3pL_1bJfUOFWw</a></p><br><p>And please consider supporting ChinaTalk on Patreon so we can eat more Haidilao before the world ends: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/ChinaTalk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/ChinaTalk</a></p> <a target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href="https://open.acast.com/public/patreon/fanSubscribe/1959352">Get bonus content on Patreon</a><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>

<p>CSIS' Bonny Lin joins to discuss how Beijing is responding to the war in Ukraine, potential future paths for Chinese policy, whether the IC could pull the same intelligence coups in Beijing as they did in Moscow, how the PLA may adapt to lessons from in theater, and what Biden should do if Putin drops a tactical nuclear weapon.</p><br><p>This show was recorded on March 31st.</p><br><p>Bonny's testimony on Beijing and the war in Ukraine <a href="https://docs.house.gov/meetings/FA/FA05/20220330/114573/HHRG-117-FA05-Wstate-LinB-20220330.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://docs.house.gov/meetings/FA/FA05/20220330/114573/HHRG-117-FA05-Wstate-LinB-20220330.pdf</a></p><p>Check out Bonny's piece on military blunders https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR768.html</p><br><p>Subscribe to the ChinaTalk feed! https://chinatalk.substack.com/</p><br><p>And consider supporting the show at https://patreon.com/chinatalk</p> <a target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href="https://open.acast.com/public/patreon/fanSubscribe/1959352">Get bonus content on Patreon</a><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>

<p>Taipei-based DJ and <a href="https://newbloommag.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">New Bloom</a> editor Brian Hioe (<a href="https://twitter.com/brianhioe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@brianhioe</a>) takes us on a tour of the local indie music scene and explains what some of last year’s top tunes can tell us about Taiwanese politics and culture, from the influence of indigenous communities to attitudes towards China.</p><br><p>We also discuss</p><p><br></p><ul><li>Earning a living making music in Taiwan v China</li><li>Brian’s twitter fights with tankie rappers</li><li>Taiwan’s indie music dating app</li><li>How Wang Leehom’s divorce drama overshadowed a national referendum</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Song links"</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzedDxXnPCs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">拍謝少年 Sorry Youth - 歹勢中年 Sorry No Youth</a></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTe65iEt1Pc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TALACOWA - Collage</a></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoTYV4-qftw" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ABAO阿爆（阿仍仍)【tjakudain 無奈】 feat. 李英宏 aka Dj Didilong</a></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5S0Jwen_tg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sonia Calico - Mukbang Roller</a></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcdkZ0XnFgg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">無妄合作社 No-nonsense Collective - 平靜的告別 Quiet Farewell</a></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEBoxrDqhZE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">鍾翔宇 Xiangyu - 流言蜚語 Rumors and Slanders</a></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mnhZOah0jw" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rainbow Chan - Stanley</a></p><br><p>Outro Music: The Moon Represents My Heart by Teresa Teng <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk3VQoAKMUI" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk3VQoAKMUI</a></p><br><p>CHECK OUT THE CHINATALK SUBSTACK! <a href="https://chinatalk.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://chinatalk.substack.com</a></p><p>Support us on Patreon! <a href="https://www.patreon.com/ChinaTalk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/ChinaTalk</a></p> <a target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href="https://open.acast.com/public/patreon/fanSubscribe/1959352">Get bonus content on Patreon</a><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>

<p>In the 2010s, US Navy officers took cash, prostitutes and more from a Malaysian defense contractor known as Fat Leonard. To tell a story that bears more than a hint of resemblance to the Jho Low 1MDB scandal, award-winning journalist Tom Wright (<a href="https://twitter.com/TomWrightAsia" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@tomwrightasia</a>) joins me to discuss Fat Leonard’s relationship with the military and how it all came crashing down.</p><br><p>Tom is the host of the podcast series<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3fmip4TpJMOm0xZsGTzU17?si=1IFDH1pMTBqNWPtrHcVsOg&amp;dl_branch=1&amp;nd=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> FAT LEONARD</a>, and previously wrote a <em>New York Times</em> bestseller on Jho Low titled <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Billion-Dollar-Whale-Fooled-Hollywood/dp/031643647X" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Billion Dollar Whale</em></a>.</p><br><p>We discuss</p><p><br></p><ul><li>How Fat Leonard managed to earn millions through US Navy contracts</li><li>The fate of the Navy officers who got mixed up with him</li><li>The secret orgy recordings now in China’s possession</li><li>Which Chinese historical events deserve the <em>Death of Stalin</em> treatment</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Support ChinaTalk on Patreon: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/ChinaTalk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/ChinaTalk</a></p><p>Check out the Substack: <a href="https://chinatalk.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://chinatalk.substack.com/</a></p><br><p>Outtro music: V - Swizz Beats by Lil Jon feat. Jho Low (unreleased)</p><br><p>Bonus: The song Tom mentions about Jho Low and Leonardo DiCaprio is Check My Steezo by Blind Scuba Divers, from the 22 Jump Street official soundtrack</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcnMvZC6pb0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcnMvZC6pb0</a></p> <a target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href="https://open.acast.com/public/patreon/fanSubscribe/1959352">Get bonus content on Patreon</a><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>

<p>Will Germany’s policy changes towards Russia have a knock-on effect on its attitude towards China? To get the view from Germany, I’m joined by Berlin-based Noah Barkin (<a href="https://twitter.com/noahbarkin?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@noahbarkin</a>), the managing editor of <a href="https://rhg.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rhodium Group’s</a>&nbsp;China practice.</p><p>We discuss</p><ul><li>Whether&nbsp;Europe is pushing China to exercise its influence over Russia</li><li>How Ukraine has changed Germany’s attitude towards the military</li><li>Why the Polish president had to give new Chancellor Olaf Scholz a shake</li><li>The new “democracies versus authoritarians” paradigm</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Consider applying to intern at Rhodium! https://rhg.com/job/research-interns-china-practice/ </p><br><p>Outro music: 99 Luftballons by Nena <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpu5a0Bl8eY" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpu5a0Bl8eY</a></p><br><p><br></p> <a target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href="https://open.acast.com/public/patreon/fanSubscribe/1959352">Get bonus content on Patreon</a><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>

<p>Una Aleksandra Bērziņa-Čerenkova, Head of Riga Stradins University China Studies Centre, Head of the Asia program at the Latvian Institute of International Affairs, and a member of the European Think tank Network on China, joins to discuss.</p><br><p>Outtro music: Stefania (Kalush Orchestra) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nRQWc4YKGU</p> <a target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href="https://open.acast.com/public/patreon/fanSubscribe/1959352">Get bonus content on Patreon</a><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>

<p>Matej Šimalčík, Executive Director of the Central European Institute of Asian Studies, joins from Bratislava to discuss:</p><p><br></p><ul><li>The reception of BRI in Eastern and Central Europe 10 years on</li><li>How the war will accelerate changes in opinion towards China</li><li>Jordan and Matej reminiscing about <a href="https://www.pohodafestival.sk/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pohoda</a>, the greatest music festival on the planet (my writeup from 2015 https://medium.com/@jordanschneider/pohoda-the-world-s-greatest-music-festival-675f3da2ae24)</li></ul><p><br></p><p>This conversation was recorded Feb 27th. </p><br><p>Outtro music (a slovak banger): gleb - Zešlach Crunk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMxLdOQns_o</p> <a target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href="https://open.acast.com/public/patreon/fanSubscribe/1959352">Get bonus content on Patreon</a><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>