America's Diplomatic Failures in China, Ukraine, and Gaza (w/Chas Freeman)

Current Affairs

🦩 This episode originally aired on May 16, 2025. Get new episodes early at patreon.com/CurrentAffairs

Chas Freeman is one of the most insightful voices in U.S. foreign policy, with a distinguished career as a diplomat and a deep expertise in U.S.-China relations. In this conversation with Nathan J. Robinson, Freeman offers a searing critique of America's current approach to diplomacy, the global balance of power, and its role in key international conflicts.

Freeman challenges the pervasive "China threat" narrative, arguing that the U.S. has misunderstood China's rise and wrongly positioned it as an existential threat. He compares the foreign policy approaches of Presidents Biden and Trump, highlighting the surprising continuities in their handling of China. Freeman also deconstructs the oversimplified and inflammatory discourse surrounding Taiwan, calling for a more nuanced understanding. Shifting to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Freeman explains how U.S. diplomatic failures helped fuel the war and why America’s actions have deepened the crisis. Finally, Freeman offers a sharp critique of U.S. policy towards Israel, urging the U.S. to stop enabling Israel’s expansionist policies and to push for a real peace agreement with the Palestinians.

0:00-6:03 The Decline of American Diplomacy

6:03-15:26: China

15:26-18:30: Biden v. Trump Approach to China

18:30-23:58: Taiwan

23:58-35:07: Russia/Ukraine

35:07-49:09: Israel/Palestine

🤝 Buy Chas Freeman's Books: https://chasfreeman.net/books-and-publications/