The United States is currently engaged in a Cold War with China, as expert Michael Sobolik explains in his new book “Countering China’s Great Game: A Strategy for American Dominance.” Sobolik emphasizes the importance of taking the fight to China in its evolving cold war, particularly by exploiting the weaknesses of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) within China itself. He suggests that the United States must go on the offensive in two key areas to achieve victory.
The first step that Sobolik recommends is cracking down on Chinese trade routes running through Xinjiang, where the CCP is allegedly committing genocide against the Uyghur population. By cutting off financial networks that benefit from US dollar transactions linked to genocide, the United States can severely impact China’s economic activities. This move would be a strategic and punitive response to China’s actions, affecting half of the Belt and Road trade routes in Eurasia.
Another competitive step that the United States can take to challenge China is in the realm of information, particularly concerning the coronavirus pandemic. Sobolik argues that the CCP prioritized controlling information about the virus over stopping its spread, leading to numerous deaths worldwide. By pushing back against China’s censorship of free speech and information, the United States can undermine a significant weakness of the CCP and force them to react defensively.
In his book, Sobolik emphasizes the need for American policymakers to create problems for China and seize the initiative in the ongoing Cold War. He believes that simply playing defense is not enough to secure victory against the CCP’s aggressive tactics. By identifying and exploiting the biggest weaknesses of China, such as their fear of transparency and control over discourse, the United States can gain a strategic advantage and advance its interests in the global arena.
Sobolik underscores the importance of taking the competition to China on their home court and forcing them to react to American actions. By making it more challenging and expensive for the CCP to maintain control over information and discourse within China, the United States can weaken the regime’s grip on power and influence. This proactive approach is essential in winning the Cold War against China and ensuring American dominance in the Indo-Pacific region.
Overall, Sobolik’s book offers a strategic roadmap for countering China’s efforts to expand its influence and power around the world. By implementing targeted policies aimed at exploiting China’s weaknesses, the United States can effectively challenge the CCP’s authoritarian regime and advance its interests in the global geopolitical landscape. Seizing the initiative and going on the offensive against China is crucial in securing victory in the ongoing Cold War and maintaining American dominance in the region.