Melanie, Chris, and Zack debate the Quincy Institute’s new report on U.S. defense strategy in Asia. They applaud the report for presenting a detailed plan and for highlighting the areas of both agreement and disagreement among the authors. They question the political feasibility of the strategy and whether it is sufficient to address the challenges that China poses. Zack remembers Shinzo Abe for his vision, Chris criticizes Joe Biden for a fist-bump, and Melanie commends the Webb telescope’s incredible images.

Episode Reading:

• Rachel Esplin Odell et al., “Active Denial: A Roadmap to a More Effective, Stabilizing, and Sustainable U.S. Defense Strategy in Asia,” Quincy Institute, June 22, 2022.
• Michael D. Swaine, Jessica J. Lee, and Rachel Esplin Odell, “Toward an Inclusive & Balanced Regional Order: A New U.S. Strategy in East Asia,” Quincy Paper no. 5, January 11, 2021, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.
• Chris Murphy, “It’s Time to Rethink the U.S.-Saudi Relationship,” Foreign Policy, July 13, 2022.
• “Future Foreign Policy: A new nuclear era?” July 27, 2022, Atlantic Council.
• Lara Seligman, Alexander Ward, and Nahal Toosi, “In Letters, U.S. Tries to Shape Taiwan’s Weapons Requests,” May 10, 2022.
• Scott Cuomo, “On-the-Ground Truth and Force Design 2030 Reconciliation: A Way Forward,” War on the Rocks, July 12, 2022.
• Ford Fischer, Tweet, July 5, 2022.
• Martin Robinson, “Just Stop Oil Protesters Damaged Constable’s The Hay Wain in Gluing Stunt,” Daily Mail, July 5, 2022.

Image: Indo-Pacific Command