Cold War II: U.S. and China's Escalating Tensions

Dmitri Alperovitch, former CrowdStrike CTO and expert on cyberwarfare, declares that the U.S. is already embroiled in a new phase of geopolitical rivalry with China.

The term "Cold War II" has been gaining traction in recent years to describe the increasingly tense relationship between the United States and China. This term evokes the era of heightened tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union from 1947 to 1991.

One of the most vocal proponents of this theory is Dmitri Alperovitch, former CrowdStrike CTO and renowned expert on cyberwarfare. In an interview on Fox News, Alperovitch asserted that the U.S. is already in a "Cold War II" with China. He pointed to the heightened geopolitical rivalry, increased military spending, and escalating cyberwarfare between the two nations.

The recent visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Hungary further underscores this growing divide. Xi's praise for Hungarian President Viktor Orban's stance on the Ukraine war and Orban's endorsement of Beijing's peace plan for Ukraine have raised concerns among Western officials.

Hungary's support for China highlights Beijing's strategic efforts to reset its image in Europe amid growing opposition and a worsening reputation. The "all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership" between China and Hungary, similar to those held with countries like Belarus and Venezuela, suggests China's desire to counter U.S. influence in the region.

The South China Morning Post notes that Hungary's new partnership places it among China's close allies, signaling a shift in European geopolitical allegiances. This move has raised concerns about China's potential influence within the EU and its implications for the future of Europe-China relations.

China's peace plan for Ukraine, unveiled last year, has been met with mixed reactions. While it includes universally agreed-upon points such as the denunciation of nuclear weapons and the protection of civilians, it also calls for an end to unilateral sanctions and the recognition of Russia's annexation of Crimea.

Critics, such as Jo Inge Bekkevold of the Norwegian Institute for Defense Studies, see China's peace plan as having "ulterior motives." According to Bekkevold, China aims to position itself as a key player in Ukraine's post-conflict reconstruction, thereby strengthening its overall engagement with Europe.

The U.S. and its allies are closely scrutinizing China's increasing military power and its growing presence in the Pacific region. Recent incidents involving the passage of U.S. military vessels through the Taiwan Strait have further fueled tensions between the two nations.

As the U.S. and China continue to jockey for global influence, the parallels with the Cold War era become increasingly evident. However, it remains to be seen whether this new phase of geopolitical rivalry will escalate into a full-blown conflict or whether it will follow a different trajectory.

In conclusion, the term "Cold War II" accurately reflects the heightened tensions and geopolitical rivalry between the U.S. and China. The continuing escalation of military spending, cyberwarfare, and diplomatic maneuvering between the two nations suggests that this new phase of geopolitical rivalry is likely to shape the world for years to come.