The debate in Washington and other Western capitals has been raging for years: which adversary, Russia or China, should the United States and its allies devote its resources to countering and containing?
Early in the Biden administration, the China hawks appeared to be ascendent as the White House pursued what it described as a stable and predictable relationship with Moscow in order to focus on Beijing.
And then Russia invaded Ukraine, shifting the balance decisively, albeit possibly only temporarily. China hawks continue to argue that U.S. and allied support for Ukraine is taking resources and attention away from the threat from China.
But what if this is all a false choice? What if U.S. and allied efforts to aid Ukraine and contain Russian aggression also have the benefit of deterring China as well.
On The Power Vertical Podcast this week, host Brian Whitmore speaks with veteran U.S. diplomat David Kramer, who served as Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor in the administration of President George W. Bush and currently serves as Executive Director of the George W. Bush Institute in Dallas. David also co-authored the recently published article, “Helping Ukraine Can Deter China.”
Also on the podcast, we speak about the case of Russian opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza, who recently received a 25-year prison sentence for his speaking out against Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine. Enjoy….
SHOW NOTES
David Kramer’s articles, “Helping Ukraine Can Deter China” and “My Friend, The Traitor” are available by clicking the links on their titles. David’s other work can be accessed here.
Vladimir Kara-Murza’s final statement after his sentencing, which was referenced in the podcast, can be accessed here and his regular column for The Washington Post can be accessed here.