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KAOS THEORY
Kaos Theory Episode 4: Elbridge Colby
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Kaos Theory Episode 4: Elbridge Colby
In a world of finite resources, how can the US maintain strategic focus on China, our greatest geopolitical rival, and what does a "Strategy of Denial" entail?
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Welcome to KAOS THEORY — a new podcast series that Grant Williams and I are collaborating on that focuses on the intersection of Macroeconomics and Geopolitics in an increasingly disorderly world.

10/15/23: Episode 4 — Elbridge Colby

In 2021, Elbridge Colby wrote a prescient book entitled The Strategy of Denial: American Defense in an Age of Great Power Conflict. Part strategy manifesto and part history of warfare, the book is a fascinating introduction into how those within the halls of power at the Pentagon think about how best to protect our nation.

One of the great challenges Elbridge foresaw was the possibility of belligerent action from Russia in Europe happening before belligerent action from China in the Indo-Pacific and how that would challenge our ability to focus economic and political resources to the greatest challenger to the US since its founding — China.

With a second front opening up in the Middle East now between Israel and Hamas, this conversation and the concerns it raises becomes even more topical and relevant. (Note that we recorded this session on 10/3/23.)

Elbridge Colby is a self-described “Policy Entrepreneur,” having spent his career at various national security think tanks including the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) and his own Marathon Initiative. During the Trump Administration, Elbridge served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Force Development for the Department of Defense.

His book, The Strategy of Denial, can be found here:

https://www.amazon.com/Strategy-Denial-American-Defense-Conflict/dp/B09M56227T/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3K2BSUQE0W16A&keywords=strategy+of+denial&qid=1697385334&sprefix=strategy+of+denial%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-1

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Kaoboy Musings

KAOS THEORY

Welcome to the KAOS THEORY — a new podcast series that Grant Williams and I are collaborating on that focuses on the intersection of Macroeconomics and Geopolitics in an increasingly disorderly world. America has tremendous natural advantages in terms of geography, natural resources, a USD-based global reserve currency, and a democratic system of governance and rule of law that has encouraged unprecedented innovation, freedom, and opportunity. However, America’s Unipolar moment in the sun is being threatened like never before – economically, militarily, and technologically. Whether you’re optimistic or pessimistic about America’s future, what is unequivocal is that the Post Cold-War Globalization Nirvana is over as we know it. As a result, the world is becoming more fractious and disorderly. Economic decisions can no longer be made without considering geopolitical repercussions; similarly, geopolitical decisions and motivations can dominate economic outcomes. The purpose of this podcast is to explore the intersection of Macroeconomics and Geopolitics – two areas that can no longer be analyzed in their respective vacuums. Join us as we bring on guests from multidisciplinary fields as we explore this crucial topic. Our aim is not just to educate and entertain but to also encourage cross-fertilization of ideas amongst our leaders and policymakers to help all of us navigate uncharted waters.

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Appears in episode

Michael Kao
Grant Williams