Eyck Freymann

And that means...

Essentially, if we give in to that principle, we're checkmated because we're not going to be able to send more diplomats, more military advisors.

Taiwan will never be able to build the weapons it needs to defend itself.

And China will seize control over the chip supply chain with those factories intact.

And that's a much, but then they can say, we're not waging war against the civilians.

We're not saying you can't send oil and food.

And then blockade, you know, the really medieval stuff, that's a plan B and everyone knows it's there.

And if we don't play ball, it's always something that they can do.

I don't think they are, by the way.

Yeah, I mean, I think you said it best.

In an authoritarian regime, things are stable until they're not.

because no one wants to go against the guy with the guns.

China has some massive structural headwinds.

And I think the way to think about their economy is the only way they have left to grow is through exports.

which is another way to say this.

The only way they have- Well, that's deterrence.

That's great.

Is by stealing growth from other countries.

Yes.

So this is the economic piece of my deterrence concept in the book.