Scott interviews Lyle J. Goldstein, who now works at Defense Priorities. Goldstein challenges the idea that a war with China over Taiwan would be fundamentally different from the war in Afghanistan. In fact, he thinks the U.S. had a better chance of victory in Afghanistan. He explains how China could render all U.S. carrier groups useless and force the Americans to rely completely on their submarines. But neither would that be a path to victory because of China’s anti-submarine capabilities. Goldstein also points out that it’s by trying to destroy these Chinese ship-killing missile launch sites that the stage is set for dangerous escalation.

Discussed on the show:

“Like Afghanistan, a War for Taiwan is Unwinnable” (National Interest)
“The Scary War Game Over Taiwan That the U.S. Loses Again and Again” (Real Clear Investigations)
“The War Nerd: This is how the Carriers Will DIe” (The Exiled)

Lyle J. Goldstein is the Director of Asia Engagement at Defense Priorities. He is the author of Meeting China Halfway: How to Defuse the Emerging US-China Rivalry. Follow his work at The National Interest.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: The War State and Why The Vietnam War?, by Mike Swanson; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; EasyShip; Dröm; Free Range Feeder; Thc Hemp Spot; Green Mill Supercritical; Bug-A-Salt; Lorenzotti Coffee and Listen and Think Audio.

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