10/31/22 Lyle Goldstein on the Danger of Fighting over Ukraine and Taiwan

Scott interviews Lyle Goldstein about the danger posed by escalating conflicts in Europe and the Pacific. First Goldstein, who correctly predicted the February invasion, gives his account of where the war in Ukraine stands today and where it’s likely to go. He and Scott then talk about some of the important details for listeners to understand about nuclear weapons and nuclear war. Lastly, they discuss the growing tension over Taiwan. Goldstein is worried that the war in Ukraine mixed with the promise of greater western military aid for Taiwan years down the road will convince Beijing that now is the best time to invade the island. 

Discussed on the show:

• “Threat Inflation, Russian Military Weakness, and the Resulting Nuclear Paradox: Implications of the War in Ukraine for U.S. Military Spending” (Cost of War Project)
• “Don’t Rule Out Diplomacy in Ukraine” (Foreign Affairs)
• Thirteen Days (2000)
• Rumsfeld: His Rise, Fall, and Catastrophic Legacy by Andrew Cockburn
• “The Scary War Game Over Taiwan That the U.S. Loses Again and Again” (Real Clear Investigations)

Lyle J. Goldstein is the Director of Asia Engagement at Defense Priorities. He is the author of Meeting China Halfway: How to Defuse the Emerging US-China Rivalry. Follow his work at The National Interest.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: The War State and Why The Vietnam War?, by Mike Swanson; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and Thc Hemp Spot.

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