Chris Blattman

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China’s grand strategy towards the US?

Several years ago, I met with the Deputy Director of the Policy Planning staff of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and I asked him what he was working on — and what China’s grand strategy was.

His reply: “We are trying to figure out how to keep you Americans distracted in small Middle Eastern countries.”

That is Steve Clemons. Clemons implies the Chinese official was joking. Well, half joking.

Unfortunately we don’t seem to need any help from the Chinese to advance this particular goal.

Hat tip to Matt Stone.

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