New York Times correspondent David Sanger, author of the book “New Cold Wars,” recently discussed the current international world order on “Face the Nation.” According to Sanger, the United States is in a “very different competition” compared to the era of the Cold War. He notes that during the Cold War, the focus was primarily on competition between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, while today’s competition involves multiple actors on the global stage.
One key difference in the current international competition is the role of technology. Sanger points out that technology has fundamentally changed the way countries interact with each other, with cyber capabilities playing a significant role in modern conflicts. He also highlights the importance of economic influence in today’s world order, noting that China’s economic power has allowed it to challenge the U.S. in various ways.
Sanger also discusses the importance of alliances in the current international competition. He notes that the U.S. is facing challenges in maintaining its traditional alliances, with countries like Turkey and Saudi Arabia moving closer to Russia and China. He emphasizes the need for the U.S. to rebuild and strengthen its alliances in order to effectively navigate the complexities of the new world order.
In addition to alliances, Sanger discusses the importance of intelligence gathering in the current global competition. He notes that intelligence agencies play a crucial role in understanding and countering threats from countries like Russia and China, which have sophisticated cyber capabilities. Sanger highlights the need for the U.S. to invest in intelligence capabilities in order to stay ahead in the ongoing competition.
Sanger also points out the role of disinformation in the current international competition, noting that countries like Russia have been using information manipulation as a tool to undermine Western democracies. He emphasizes the need for the U.S. to be vigilant in countering disinformation and propaganda, and to work with its allies to address this issue collectively.
Overall, Sanger’s analysis of the current international competition highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of today’s global challenges. He stresses the importance of adapting to the changing dynamics of the world order, and of investing in areas such as technology, alliances, intelligence, and countering disinformation in order to effectively compete in the new era. By understanding and addressing these challenges, the U.S. can better position itself to navigate the complexities of the modern international landscape.
