World on the Brink: How America Can Beat China in the Race for the Twenty-First Century

by Dmitri Alperovitch, Garrett M. Graff Narrated by Will Collyer

Overview

A leading national security expert, who publicly predicted Vladimir Putin's intention to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine months before it took*place, lays out the case for why China's Xi Jinping is preparing to conquer Taiwan in the coming years and the dire stakes for America and the whole world if he is not deterred.

In*World on the Brink, security expert Dmitri Alperovitch makes the case that we are already in the midst of Cold War II, with China, and that Taiwan is the perilous strategic flashpoint of this new conflict that risks triggering a devastating war between major nuclear powers in a similar role that West Berlin nearly played during Cold War I.

Laying out the comprehensive strategy to deter war and maintain U.S. place as the world's leading superpower in the face of rising China, Alperovitch breaks down*not only the significant weaknesses that can prevent China from surpassing the United States, but also the key policies that will enable America to maintain primacy even as China ramps up its efforts.*

As Alperovitch explains, we must play to our strengths and address our weaknesses, using our leverage as the strongest nation on the planet to tactfully navigate the next Cold War. This sharp, timely book is the essential blueprint for doing just that.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

An important book that stands apart from much of the current writing (and posturing) on China by its lack of hype, a clear exploration of the challenge China poses, and practical and well considered policy options… In the upcoming election, regardless of who wins, there will be changes (perhaps wholesale) in the national security team and whoever those people are – they would do well to spend time reading this book.”
 —Cipher Brief

“World on the Brink serves as an alarm bell. It successfully highlights aspects of Sino-American competition that have long been overlooked by policymakers — for example, the significance of rare earth metals and critical minerals. Better still, it does so engagingly, which is no mean feat given the technical and hypothetical and jargon-laden way these discussions usually are written about.”—Washington Examiner

"A thorough investigation of 'America’s top foreign policy challenge'...Deeply insightful advice for the coming decades."—Kirkus Reviews

“An urgent, thought-provoking warning about one of the biggest challenges facing America today. A must-read on the most important issue in the world!”

—GENERAL DAVID PETRAEUS, US Army (ret.), former director of the CIA

“The stakes of Cold War II could not be greater. Alperovitch, one of our nation’s foremost experts on technology and national security, has skillfully crafted a game plan for freedom to once again be the victor. This is a book that needs to be read by all Americans.”

—REP. MIKE GALLAGHER, chairman, Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party

“World on the Brink is a clear-eyed analysis of Cold War II and a game plan for winning it. Provocative and insightful, this is essential reading for understanding the American-made world order and the threats it faces.”

—CHRIS MILLER, New York Times–bestselling author of Chip War

“Deeply researched and provocative, this is a powerful call to arms for Washington’s policy makers and a must-read for anyone watching global affairs, the twenty-first-century tech sector, and international business.”

—GILLIAN TETT, columnist and editorial board, Financial Times

“This is the first book to read if you want to understand the geopolitical landscape, what choices must be made, and how that will impact all of us.”

—JAMES LITINSKY, founder, chairman, and CEO of MP Materials

Kirkus Reviews

★ 2024-02-02
A thorough investigation of “America’s top foreign policy challenge.”

One of the most significant geopolitical trends is the explosive growth of China. With assistance from Graff, Alperovitch, entrepreneur, cybersecurity expert, and founding member of the U.S. government’s Cyber Safety Review Board, warns that America is now engaged in “Cold War II” with a nation far more populous and efficient than the former Soviet Union —and just as skilled at bending the rules. The author begins with a fictional scenario describing China’s conquest of Taiwan in 2028. Most readers know that this is a long-standing Chinese obsession, but Alperovitch emphasizes that it would be a massive geopolitical triumph, assuring domination of the South China Sea and access to one of the world’s most valuable resources: computer chips. “Taiwan alone is responsible for nearly 40 percent of new computing power manufactured every year worldwide,” writes the author, adding that the Chinese are as productive, hardworking, and imaginative as Americans—and there are four times as many of them. Beijing’s goal of becoming the world’s top superpower seems inevitable unless U.S. officials act decisively. “To succeed over the next half century,” writes Alperovitch, the U.S. “needs to prioritize two broad enablers of innovation—semiconductor chips and immigration.” Regarding the latter, the author echoes other observers in his demonstration of how the U.S. discourages even skilled legal immigrants, a significant problem. Giving computer chips so much emphasis seems a stretch, but the author makes a convincing case that they are today’s primary engines of progress. Eschewing the usual homilies about freedom, the author urges America to pay more attention to traditional allies as well as China’s neighbors. “Other countries do not need to love us…and most of them…never will,” he writes. “But as long as they hate China more, they may prefer to partner with us.”

Deeply insightful advice for the coming decades.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940159606563
Publisher:	Hachette Audio
Publication date:	04/30/2024
Edition description:	Unabridged
Sales rank:	952,544

Videos