Flash Points: Is there really a Cold War 2.0?

How to think about the U.S.-China rivalry. JUNE 11, 2023  |  [VIEW IN BROWSER](     [Images of a Chinese frigate and a U.S. Navy combat ship are displayed during a hearing of the U.S. House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party on Feb. 28 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.]( George Kennan, the father of Cold War containment strategy. Foreign Policy illustration/Getty Images Even as U.S.-China relations have frayed, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has remained adamant that Washington is “determined to avoid” a cold war with Beijing. In the coming weeks, Blinken is expected to travel to China for talks after postponing a visit earlier this year in the wake of the Chinese spy balloon incident. The trip comes amid U.S. President Joe Biden’s prediction of a “thaw” in U.S.-China relations. Yet depending on whom you ask, a Cold War 2.0 may already be here. In this edition of Flash Points, we explore the utility of the “cold war” framing, and whether it’s a helpful—or harmful—way to think about Beijing and Washington’s relationship today.—Chloe Hadavas   [1]( [Why the U.S.-China ‘Cold War’ Framing Is So Dangerous]( A Cold War crouch is inimical to a free, open, and flourishing society. By Reid Smith   [2]( [5 Ways the U.S.-China Cold War Will Be Different From the Last One]( Guardrails and statesmanship will be even more important this time around. By Jo Inge Bekkevold   [3]( [Is Cold War Inevitable?]( A new biography of George Kennan, the father of containment, raises questions about whether the old Cold War—and the emerging one with China—could have been avoided. By Michael Hirsh   [4]( [The West Needs a Cure for Cold War Fever]( Yes, a new cold war is upon us. It’s time to stop talking about it and start trying to win it. By Edward Lucas   [5]( [Cold War II Is All About Geopolitics]( A new book overplays the domestic roots of Sino-U.S. confrontation and underestimates its geopolitical logic. By Jo Inge Bekkevold   foreignpolicy.com/subscribe Geopolitics—in or out of office [Gain a deeper understanding of the world with Foreign Policy. Get daily analysis at the intersection of politics and international affairs, plus the full digital archive from 1970 to today.](foreignpolicy.com/subscribe) [SEE OFFERS](foreignpolicy.com/subscribe)   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( You’re receiving this email at {EMAIL} because you signed up for FP's Flash Points newsletter. [MANAGE YOUR EMAIL PREFERENCES]( | [VIEW OUR PRIVACY POLICY]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE]( Reach the [right online audience]( with us. Foreign Policy is a division of Graham Holdings Company. All contents © 2023 Graham Digital Holding Company LLC. All rights reserved. Foreign Policy, 655 15th St NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC, 20005.