Well said. Another way we can fight Cold War 2 is by keeping the immigration gates open. The world’s best and brightest still want to come to the US, our violence problem not withstanding. Liberal societies can drain success from our illiberal opponents by offering an alternate home to their free thinkers.
Didn’t even start the rest of the post yet, but man, sorry to hear about Cinnamon. Losing a furry friend sucks, and it’s the worst part about having a pet.
Whew! This is a breath of fresh air, Noah. It very much needed to be said. Especially, "The critics of the U.S.’ more confrontational policy toward China tend to assume that the U.S. has most of the agency here — that we’re the ones who chose to start Cold War 2, and that if we back off or adopt a less confrontational policy toward China, there will be no Cold War 2, and we can basically go back to something approximating the status quo of 2015.
"This is very wrong...." Everything else flows from this. Whatever issues the U.S. has internally now or globally since WWII, we have no choice about confronting the CCP effort to reorganize the world around its value system.
What you are describing is not a new Cold War and should be narrated in warlike terms. It’s an economic and political struggle which is normal part of global affairs. If the United States wants to dominate we need to do better economically. The money we spend on our military is mostly a dead loss and should be redirected to more productive uses. We blew trillions of dollars during the GWOT which is why we are falling behind other countries in things like basic infrastructure.
It’s kind of amazing to go to Europe or Asia and see their highly functioning cities and dynamic societies and see how far behind we have fallen.
There is a huge political and economic infrastructure in the United States that always pushes for more taxpayer dollars for their pet projects, mostly defense boondoggles. Far too much of our political energies are wasted in NIMBYism and corruption. If we are serious about keeping up with China economically we will redirect public energies and taxpayers dollars to the public good. I wish I could be more optimistic about this.
In the slightly longer run, we are headed for a multi-polar world. Outside of Europe counties don’t want to “take sides” in a new Cold War, and they won’t. A rising India won’t. The Middle East is taking its own way and South America is not interested. The US certainly has more trust than China or Russia but is not regarded as a reliable ally and certainly no moral beacon. It’s strange how few Americans are cognizant of that.
Stephen Kotkin makes similar points. We've already been in some form of a Cold War but we haven't come to grips with it and we haven't acted strategically over a sustained period of time.
Could you argue Russia starting undermining the ‘no conquest order’ earlier than Ukraine in 2014 with its actions in Georgia in 2008? Very sorry about Cinnamon
Condolences about Cinnamon. All your readers who have had or have beloved pets can relate to your grief.
Thank you for sharing that. It's a specific reminder that while I might disagree with some of your views, my support for you as a fellow human, suffering the slings and arrows of life, is far more important. And a general reminder to be kind in all online comments.
Sorry to hear about Cinnamon. 😥❤️
Well said. Another way we can fight Cold War 2 is by keeping the immigration gates open. The world’s best and brightest still want to come to the US, our violence problem not withstanding. Liberal societies can drain success from our illiberal opponents by offering an alternate home to their free thinkers.
Didn’t even start the rest of the post yet, but man, sorry to hear about Cinnamon. Losing a furry friend sucks, and it’s the worst part about having a pet.
Whew! This is a breath of fresh air, Noah. It very much needed to be said. Especially, "The critics of the U.S.’ more confrontational policy toward China tend to assume that the U.S. has most of the agency here — that we’re the ones who chose to start Cold War 2, and that if we back off or adopt a less confrontational policy toward China, there will be no Cold War 2, and we can basically go back to something approximating the status quo of 2015.
"This is very wrong...." Everything else flows from this. Whatever issues the U.S. has internally now or globally since WWII, we have no choice about confronting the CCP effort to reorganize the world around its value system.
What you are describing is not a new Cold War and should be narrated in warlike terms. It’s an economic and political struggle which is normal part of global affairs. If the United States wants to dominate we need to do better economically. The money we spend on our military is mostly a dead loss and should be redirected to more productive uses. We blew trillions of dollars during the GWOT which is why we are falling behind other countries in things like basic infrastructure.
It’s kind of amazing to go to Europe or Asia and see their highly functioning cities and dynamic societies and see how far behind we have fallen.
There is a huge political and economic infrastructure in the United States that always pushes for more taxpayer dollars for their pet projects, mostly defense boondoggles. Far too much of our political energies are wasted in NIMBYism and corruption. If we are serious about keeping up with China economically we will redirect public energies and taxpayers dollars to the public good. I wish I could be more optimistic about this.
In the slightly longer run, we are headed for a multi-polar world. Outside of Europe counties don’t want to “take sides” in a new Cold War, and they won’t. A rising India won’t. The Middle East is taking its own way and South America is not interested. The US certainly has more trust than China or Russia but is not regarded as a reliable ally and certainly no moral beacon. It’s strange how few Americans are cognizant of that.
Stephen Kotkin makes similar points. We've already been in some form of a Cold War but we haven't come to grips with it and we haven't acted strategically over a sustained period of time.
Oh, Noah, I'm so damned sorry for what you've been going through with Cinnamon. That's genuinely awful.
Could you argue Russia starting undermining the ‘no conquest order’ earlier than Ukraine in 2014 with its actions in Georgia in 2008? Very sorry about Cinnamon
It's good that allies seem to be finally strengthening relations e.g. Japan and South Korea.
As a former family member of these sweet and smart pets, I'm sorry to hear about Cinnamon. I look forward to reading more about your friend.
Very thoughtful piece, thank you. And condolences for your loss.
Condolences about Cinnamon. All your readers who have had or have beloved pets can relate to your grief.
Thank you for sharing that. It's a specific reminder that while I might disagree with some of your views, my support for you as a fellow human, suffering the slings and arrows of life, is far more important. And a general reminder to be kind in all online comments.
Our furry family members bring so much to our lives and can never stay long enough. May Cinnamon's memory be a blessing.
Sorry for your loss of Cinnamon. I understand.
I think you laid out a very reasonable and cogent argument for the US engagement in Cold War 2. It will take deft hands and cool leaders at times.
My condolences on Cinnamon's passing.
"Tis a fearful thing to love what death can touch"