John Mearsheimer

Imperial Japan, Nazi Germany, and the Soviet Union. The United States played a key role in putting all four of those countries on the scrap heap of history. We want to remain the only regional hegemon in the world. We are a ruthless great power. Never want to lose sight of that fact. And the end result of this is you get an intense security competition between China and The United States.

Imperial Japan, Nazi Germany, and the Soviet Union. The United States played a key role in putting all four of those countries on the scrap heap of history. We want to remain the only regional hegemon in the world. We are a ruthless great power. Never want to lose sight of that fact. And the end result of this is you get an intense security competition between China and The United States.

And it revolves around the concept of security, not prosperity. I think this is- Just very quickly. So what you see beginning to happen is that it's in all domains where the competition takes place, especially high tech. We do not want them defeating this.

And it revolves around the concept of security, not prosperity. I think this is- Just very quickly. So what you see beginning to happen is that it's in all domains where the competition takes place, especially high tech. We do not want them defeating this.

Defeating us in the high-tech war we are competing with them economically We are competing with the militarily and this is because the best way to survive is for us the United States of America to be the only regional hegemon on the planet

Defeating us in the high-tech war we are competing with them economically We are competing with the militarily and this is because the best way to survive is for us the United States of America to be the only regional hegemon on the planet

Jeff, what about the energy?

Jeff, what about the energy?

Just very quickly most of you have probably never asked yourself the question Why is the United States roaming all over the planet interfering in every country's business? It's in part because it's so powerful, but it's also because it's a regional hegemon Which means we have no threats in the Western Hemisphere so we are free to roam

Just very quickly most of you have probably never asked yourself the question Why is the United States roaming all over the planet interfering in every country's business? It's in part because it's so powerful, but it's also because it's a regional hegemon Which means we have no threats in the Western Hemisphere so we are free to roam

The great danger, Jeff, if China becomes a regional hegemon and doesn't have to worry about security concerns.

The great danger, Jeff, if China becomes a regional hegemon and doesn't have to worry about security concerns.

Then they behave like us. Can't we do better? That's exactly right. But my point to you, Jeff, is let's prevent that from happening by preventing them from becoming a regional hegemon. We don't want them to have freedom to roam. You were talking about them putting military bases in Mexico. That's our great fear.

Then they behave like us. Can't we do better? That's exactly right. But my point to you, Jeff, is let's prevent that from happening by preventing them from becoming a regional hegemon. We don't want them to have freedom to roam. You were talking about them putting military bases in Mexico. That's our great fear.

Jeff, that's because they're not a regional hegemon yet.

Jeff, that's because they're not a regional hegemon yet.

No, it's not just Taiwan. I mean, one could argue there's sort of three flashpoints in East Asia that you folks should keep your eye on. One is obviously Taiwan. Two is the South China Sea. And three is the East China Sea. And I think, David, that the place where a conflict is most likely today is not over Taiwan.

No, it's not just Taiwan. I mean, one could argue there's sort of three flashpoints in East Asia that you folks should keep your eye on. One is obviously Taiwan. Two is the South China Sea. And three is the East China Sea. And I think, David, that the place where a conflict is most likely today is not over Taiwan.

I could explain why I think Taiwan is not a serious problem at the moment or for the foreseeable future. The South China Sea is a very dangerous place. We could end up in a war for sure, even if we did not defend Taiwan. So Taiwan, you don't want to overemphasize. I agree with Jeff that we definitely don't want a war. And we certainly don't want a nuclear war.

I could explain why I think Taiwan is not a serious problem at the moment or for the foreseeable future. The South China Sea is a very dangerous place. We could end up in a war for sure, even if we did not defend Taiwan. So Taiwan, you don't want to overemphasize. I agree with Jeff that we definitely don't want a war. And we certainly don't want a nuclear war.