China Desk

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China Desk episodes

September 23, 2025 Ep. 73 - Joseph Cella
Former U.S. Ambassador Joseph Cella returns to The China Desk Podcast to expose the growing threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party at home and abroad. From Michigan universities tied to Beijing and smuggling attempts involving dangerous biological materials, to the risks of agro-terrorism against America’s food supply, Cella details how local and federal leaders are responding. The discussion also turns to the Pacific Islands, where China’s aggressive expansion challenges U.S. allies and global stability. This episode dives deep into national security, foreign influence, and the bipartisan fight to counter CCP malign activities.

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34 min
September 16, 2025 Ep. 72 - Andrew Phelan
On this episode of The China Desk Podcast, host Steve Yates speaks with Andrew Phelan—Australian entrepreneur and writer—about the rise and transformation of China from Deng Xiaoping’s reforms to Xi Jinping’s wolf warrior diplomacy. Phelan shares his personal experiences living and working in China, explains how offshoring hollowed out Western industry, and warns of Beijing’s strategy to “Delete America” while reshaping global rules. The discussion covers U.S.-China decoupling, Australia’s pushback over COVID origins, transnational repression, and the urgent need for democracies to defend sovereignty.
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50 min
September 08, 2025 China Desk Weekly: U.S. Military Signals, North Korea, and Beijing’s Calculus
Stay ahead of the shifting balance between the United States and China with China Desk Weekly. In this episode, host Steve Yates unpacks a striking New York Times story hinting at a covert U.S. special operation on North Korea’s coast. From secret missions in Iran to bomber flyovers during high-stakes summits, America continues to flex its reach. What do these signals mean for Beijing’s leaders as they weigh aggression in Asia against U.S. resolve? Join us for clear, no-nonsense analysis of China’s perception of U.S. power—and why it matters for global security.
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3 min
September 04, 2025 Ep. 71 - Peter Mattis
Peter Mattis, president of the Jamestown Foundation and former CIA counterintelligence analyst, joins host Steve Yates on The China Desk to unpack the Chinese Communist Party’s strategic intentions, intelligence operations, and United Front influence campaigns. From the roots of his career to lessons from Taiwan, Mattis explains how Beijing wields espionage, criminality, and political warfare to advance its goals—and why the West must better understand CCP intentions to respond effectively. A candid, insider perspective on China’s challenge to global security and freedom.
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56 min
August 26, 2025 Ep. 70 - Bret Manley
China’s Rare Earth Gamble: Bret Manley on Energy, Trade & U.S. Security:
In this episode of The China Desk Podcast, host Steve Yates speaks with Bret Manley, Executive Director of the Energy Fair Trade Coalition, about America’s dependence on China for rare earth minerals, the risks to U.S. national security, and what real fair trade looks like in today’s global energy market. From supply chain vulnerabilities to the future of AI and defense, Manley breaks down why energy and critical minerals are the new battleground.
Learn how the U.S. can secure its future through smarter trade policies, domestic production, and trusted global alliances. Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@ChinaDeskFNW
50 min
August 05, 2025 Ep. 69 - Joel Wuthnow & Phillip Saunders
In this compelling episode of The China Desk, host Steve Yates speaks with leading experts Joel Wuthnow and Phillip Saunders about the rise of China's military power. Drawing from their new book China’s Quest for Military Supremacy, the discussion dives deep into the modernization of the PLA, the evolving role of the Chinese Communist Party in military affairs, and what it all means for U.S.-China relations. From nuclear strategy and joint operations to internal corruption and political control, this episode is essential listening for anyone concerned with national security and great power competition.
Buy 'China's Quest For Military Supremacy':
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Watch, listen, and subscribe to keep up with the strategic dynamics shaping the future. Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@ChinaDeskFNW
48 min
July 29, 2025 Ep. 68 - Denis Mandich
In this explosive episode of the China Desk Podcast, former U.S. intelligence official and quantum security expert Denis Mandich joins Steve Yates to unpack the national security nightmare unfolding in plain sight. Mandich explains how China’s massive IP theft, covert operations in American universities, and advances in quantum computing could undermine U.S. power within years. From the race for post-quantum encryption to the risk of total digital collapse, this conversation is a wake-up call for policymakers, tech leaders, and everyday citizens. If we don’t act now, Mandich warns, your children might be working for Huawei.
Topics Covered:
- China's IP theft and the largest transfer of wealth in history
- The threat of quantum computing to national security
- Retroactive decryption and the “harvest now, decrypt later” tactic
- China's infiltration of U.S. STEM education and labs
- Why the U.S. must double down on counterintelligence and quantum innovation
- Mandich’s call for a Cold War-style response Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@ChinaDeskFNW
42 min
July 23, 2025 Ep. 67 - Rod Martin
In this hard-hitting episode of The China Desk, host Steve Yates sits down with tech entrepreneur and policy strategist Rod Martin for a wide-ranging conversation on U.S.-China relations. From PayPal's early disruption to the dangers of authoritarian AI, Martin traces how America’s economic leverage—and spiritual clarity—can counter the CCP’s ambitions. They break down China’s demographic collapse, fragile real estate economy, and the strategic importance of Trump-era tariffs and rare earth independence. This isn’t just about trade. It’s about liberty, reciprocity, and the moral battle for the 21st century. Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@ChinaDeskFNW
37 min
June 03, 2025 Ep. 66 - Keyu Jin
In this episode of The China Desk podcast, host Steve Yates interviews Keyu Jin, professor at the London School of Economics and author of The New China Playbook. With deep academic expertise and personal insight as a Chinese economist, Jin unpacks the myths, realities, and misunderstood dynamics driving China’s modern economy.
They cover the role of the state in China's growth model, shifting demographic challenges, the impact of U.S.-China decoupling, and why applying Western assumptions to Chinese behavior often leads to flawed conclusions. Whether you're a policymaker, investor, or just curious about global economics, this conversation is essential listening.
📘 Topics include:
- China’s “common prosperity” agenda
- Property bubbles and youth unemployment
- The future of U.S.-China economic relations
- Technological self-reliance and decoupling
- Misconceptions about the Chinese consumer and state control Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@ChinaDeskFNW
47 min
May 27, 2025 Ep. 65 - Kerry Brown
Steve Yates speaks with Kerry Brown, professor of Chinese Studies at King’s College London and author of Why Taiwan Matters. With decades of experience as a diplomat, scholar, and author of nearly 20 books on Chinese politics, Brown breaks down the complex geopolitical puzzle of Taiwan’s past, present, and uncertain future.
Brown shares his journey from the UK to Asia, explains Taiwan’s hybrid identity, and examines how a small island became a critical player in global stability and tech supply chains. From semiconductors and democracy to China’s growing nationalism and military pressure, this conversation explores the tangled web of history, economics, and identity that makes Taiwan such a critical—and dangerous—flashpoint for the 21st century.
🧠 Key Topics:
- Taiwan’s colonial and political history
- Identity and democracy in Taiwan vs. mainland China
- The strategic importance of TSMC and semiconductors
- U.S.-China-Taiwan relations and the fragile status quo
- Why simplistic policy “solutions” miss the mark
🎧 Listen to understand why Taiwan’s future is inextricably tied to global peace, prosperity, and power. Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@ChinaDeskFNW
45 min

About China Desk

From the publisher's feed

China Desk is a nonpartisan podcast exploring the critical issues shaping the U.S.–China relationship. Hosted by Steve Yates, former White House national security advisor and president of Radio Free Asia, the show features leading experts, authors, and officials discussing the challenges and opportunities posed by China’s rise.