Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
New Cold Wars summary
China's Rise, Russia's Invasion, and America's Struggle to Defend the West
15 mins
Brief summary
New Cold Wars by David E. Sanger examines the resurgence of geopolitical tensions and cyber conflicts among global superpowers, providing a detailed analysis of the strategies and implications of modern international rivalries.
Table of Contents
New Cold Wars
Summary of 4 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 4
The post–Cold War dream unravels
After the Cold War ended in 1991, the West was confident it had won. It believed democracy was the best political system – and thought Russia and China would embrace its democratic values and join a Western-led global order. The vision was that Russia would become a democracy too and that China, with its booming economy, would integrate so deeply with the West that peace would be inevitable.
Initially, this seemed possible. In his early years, Vladimir Putin appeared to want Russia to integrate with the global community. But beneath this facade, he harbored a deep resentment and a desire for autocratic power reminiscent of the Soviet era. His true ambitions became clear with aggressive actions like the invasion of Georgia in 2008 and the annexation of Crimea in 2014. These moves showed his determination to restore Russia’s dominance and reject Western democratic norms.
US presidents from Bill Clinton to Joe Biden struggled with how to handle Putin. Clinton sought a cooperative relationship, promoting economic assistance and diplomacy. As Putin grew more belligerent, subsequent administrations failed to impose meaningful consequences. George W. Bush famously misjudged Putin, saying he had “looked into his soul” and found a trustworthy partner. Barack Obama tried a “reset” with Russia but faced renewed aggression. Donald Trump, criticized for his favorable rhetoric toward Putin, lacked a cohesive strategy. Biden now faces the challenge of balancing confrontation with diplomatic engagement.
Meanwhile, the West had different – yet equally flawed – expectations for China. It believed that economic integration would bind China to a peaceful coexistence and that as China’s wealth grew, it would adopt liberal reforms and align with the West. The economic interdependence between the US and China was supposed to prevent conflict.
But this vision has also failed. Under President Xi Jinping, China has taken a more assertive and nationalist stance. Xi’s leadership has seen a tightening grip on domestic power, a crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong, and aggressive territorial claims in the South China Sea. These actions show that China is willing to challenge the global order to assert its dominance.
Instead of fostering peace, economic entanglement between the US and China has exposed vulnerabilities and increased tensions. Issues like trade imbalances, intellectual property theft, and human rights abuses have strained relations. The COVID-19 pandemic further worsened tensions with mutual accusations and distrust.
In the next section, we’ll dive into how Russia and China have raised the stakes in their confrontations with the West.
Want to see all full key ideas from New Cold Wars?
Key ideas in New Cold Wars
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is New Cold Wars about?
New Cold Wars (2024) chronicles the United States’ confrontations with Russia and China as they vie for global supremacy. It details the turbulent struggle for military, economic, political, and technological dominance, exploring the pivotal questions of our era – from Ukraine’s battlefield to Taiwan’s tech hubs to the White House Situation Room.
New Cold Wars Review
New Cold Wars (2021) brings attention to the evolving landscape of global conflicts, focusing on the increasing tensions between superpowers and the implications of cyberwarfare. Here's why this book is a compelling read:
- Explores complex geopolitical dynamics, shedding light on the interconnectedness of international relations in the modern digital age.
- Analyzes the impact of technology on diplomacy, security, and warfare, offering insights into the future of global power struggles.
- Keeps readers engaged with its timely and thought-provoking examination of the new forms of warfare shaping the international arena.
Who should read New Cold Wars?
- Political science enthusiasts
- History buffs
- Professionals in national security and defense
Categories with New Cold Wars
Book summaries like New Cold Wars
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.8 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
34 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
New Cold Wars FAQs
What is the main message of New Cold Wars?
The main message of New Cold Wars is about the contemporary struggle for global power and the threats it poses.
How long does it take to read New Cold Wars?
Reading New Cold Wars may take a few hours. The Blinkist summary offers a quicker grasp in about 15 mins.
Is New Cold Wars a good book? Is it worth reading?
New Cold Wars is a compelling read as it sheds light on current power dynamics crucial for understanding today's world.
Who is the author of New Cold Wars?
David E. Sanger authored New Cold Wars.
What to read after New Cold Wars?
If you're wondering what to read next after New Cold Wars, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Situation Room by George Stephanopoulos
- Understanding Media by Marshall McLuhan
- The Open Society and Its Enemies by Karl R. Popper
- Principles For Dealing With the Changing World Order by Ray Dalio
- Destined for War by Graham Allison
- Atlas of AI by Kate Crawford
- Why Nations Fail by Daron Acemoglu & James A. Robinson
- On Gaslighting by Kate Abramson
- How Economics Explains the World by Andrew Leigh
- Red Flags, Green Flags by Ali Fenwick