The overarching question imparting urgency to this exploration is: Can U.S.-Russian contention in cyberspace cause the two nuclear superpowers to stumble into war? In considering this question we were constantly reminded of recent comments by a prominent U.S. arms control expert: At least as dangerous as the risk of an actual cyberattack, he observed, is cyber operations’ “blurring of the line between peace and war.” Or, as Nye wrote, “in the cyber realm, the difference between a weapon and a non-weapon may come down to a single line of code, or simply the intent of a computer program’s user.”
As the world's second largest economy and a serious contender for global leadership, China's actions (and inactions) carry far-reaching consequences for international affairs. In light of China's increasing importance, it is critical to understand when and why China compromises or stands firm in negotiations and how other states might influence its behavior. This seminar will examine key negotiations between China and the United States, from the opening of relations in 1972 to the present day. It will discuss China's core principles and interests that serve as the foundation for its positions in negotiations, and the different strategies that the United States has used with varying levels of success to encourage China to compromise and cooperate. The discussion will also address the broader literatures on diplomacy and foreign policy decision-making.
Please join us! Coffee and tea provided. Everyone is welcome, but admittance will be on a first come–first served basis.