Interview With Shaun Breslin on Determining the National Security Threats From China

Kellogg's Global Politics

In this episode, Anita interviews renowned China expert Dr. Shaun Breslin of Warwick University. We discuss the worrisome aspects of Xi’s consolidation of power. We also consider whether some of the rhetoric that perceives all Chinese activities as being a national security threat has gone too far.

We begin the episode by assessing the surprising midterm results and what they suggest for the future of U.S. foreign policy. Then we move on to the first in-person meeting between Biden and Xi as national heads of state. Can they find areas to cooperate on? Finally, in a significant blow for Russia, Russia ordered a retreat from the city of Kherson, the strategically important provincial capital of Ukraine. We discuss the significance of this event and the possibility of a negotiated end to the conflict.
Shaun Breslin is a Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Warwick. He is also co-editor of The Pacific Review. Having first studied in China in 1984, he has spent the subsequent years studying China’s changing domestic political economy and China’s place in the world (and how each impacts the other). He also has a side interest in comparative studies of regional integration processes. His latest book, China Risen? Studying Chinese Global Power, was published by Bristol University Press in 2021.
Topics Discussed in this Episode

• Impact of U.S. Midterm Elections - 04:00
• Biden-Xi Meeting at the G20 - 22:00
• Russia-Ukraine Update - 30:00
• Interview with Dr. Shaun Breslin - 45:00

Articles and Resources Mentioned in Episode

Impact of U.S. Midterm Elections

• Tough Lines on Ukraine and China: Seeing Policy Fallout From U.S. Election (NY Times)
• Potentially divided U.S. Congress to remain united on at least one issue: China (The Japan Times)

Biden-Xi Meeting at G20

• For Biden and Xi, a Long Relationship With Rising Mutual Suspicion (NY Times)
• China wants to mend ties with the U.S. But it won’t make the first move. (WaPo)

Russia-Ukraine Update

• Top U.S. General Urges Diplomacy in Ukraine While Biden Advisers Resist (NY Times)
• Ukraine Peace Talks Remain Distant Even as Moscow Signals a Retreat (NY Times)

Interview with Dr. Shaun Breslin

• Dr. Breslin’s website
• China Risen?: Studying Chinese Global Power

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Chapters

1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. U.S. Midterm Elections (00:04:00)

3. Biden - Xi Meeting (00:22:00)

4. Russia-Ukraine Update (00:39:00)

5. Interview with Shaun Breslin (00:45:00)