BOOK TALK: “AMERICA SECOND: HOW AMERICA’S ELITES ARE MAKING CHINA STRONGER” - The DFRLab hosted Isaac Stone Fish, CEO and founder of Strategy Risks, and Visiting Fellow for a panel discussion with Jacqueline Deal, President and CEO of the Long Term Strategy Group (LTSG), Jennifer Hong, Senior Director at the Project 2049 Institute, and moderated by David O. Shullman, Senior Director of the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub.

The past few years have seen relations between China and the United States shift, from enthusiastic economic partners to wary frenemies, to open rivals. However, Americans have been slow to recognize the emerging threat from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This event is a timely opportunity to review the evolution of the CCP’s influence in America, its ramifications for economic and foreign policy decision making and chart a path forward, without succumbing to paranoia and xenophobia.

About the book: A timely, provocative exposé of American political and business leadership’s deep ties to China: a network of people who believe they are doing the right thing—at a profound and often hidden cost to U.S. interests.

The past few years have seen relations between China and the United States shift, from enthusiastic economic partners to wary frenemies, to open rivals. Americans have been slow to wake up to the challenges posed by the Chinese Communist Party. Why did this happen? And what can we do about it?

In America Second, Isaac Stone Fish traces the evolution of the Party’s influence in America. He shows how America’s leaders initially welcomed China’s entry into the U.S. economy, believing that trade and engagement would lead to a more democratic China. And he explains how—although this belief has proved misguided–many of our businesspeople and politicians have become too dependent on China to challenge it.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 2/23/2022