In keeping with our long-standing focus on US-China relations, this week's curation includes a piece by Michael Klare on "The New Cold War with China." Klare speculates about the possible economic, cultural, and military implications of prolonged intense conflict with China. As a matter of grand strategy, the question of re-orientation toward China inevitably involves the question of re-prioritization of other commitments. Doug Bandow's piece reassesses whether defensive commitments to the Philippines are in the United States' vital interest. Daniel DePetris' piece argues for a total withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria. Senator Rand Paul's piece meanwhile celebrates President Trump's intended troop withdrawals from Germany and Afghanistan. Despite such announcements of troop withdrawals, many have complained that these have not occurred quickly enough or in sufficient numbers. Matt Purple's American Conservative piece analyzes various bottlenecks to pulling back from overseas commitments, even when doing so might be in the American interest. To found off our curated coverage, readers interested in the role of money in fueling the emerging Cold War with China will benefit from Eli Clifton's piece in American Prospect. Essential Reading Steven Simon, Richard Sokolsky, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft Bottom Line: The threat of jihadist terrorism has changed, and U.S. counterterrorism policy needs to change with it. The defense establishment must take steps to maintain homeland se... In the News Daniel Larison, American Conservative Rand Paul, American Conservative Elizabeth Shackelford, Responsible Statecraft Harry J. Kazianis, American Conservative Doug Bandow, Foreign Policy Eli Clifton, The American Prospect Brandon Valeriano, Lauren Sander, & Eric Gomez, Defense One Daniel W. Drezner, Washington Post Matt Purple, American Conservative Daniel DePetris, RealClearWorld Stephen Kinzer, American Conservative Doug Bandow, Antiwar.com Martin Scheinin, Responsible Statecraft Paul Pillar, National Interest Michael Klare, Responsible Statecraft Quincy Institute If the United States were to stop pursuing armed dominance globally, what should replace primacy? Should the United States focus its resources on great power competition? Should it seek to contain China? Or should it seek broader cooperation in an increasingly multipolar world? |