As a data scientist working at Wageningen University & Research, Wouter Hoenderdaal uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to solve problems. He also uses these techniques to study history, geopolitics, and great power competition.

The author’s main interest is in the emerging U.S.-China Cold War, with a focus on military conflict, economic competition, and information warfare. As a Westerner, he feels a responsibility to criticize Western foreign policy, something which is lacking within the mainstream yet very much needed in times with rising tensions.

The author examines U.S. provocations...

The author examines U.S. provocations over Taiwan and the South China Sea, Western economic warfare directed at China, superpower competition for resources in the Global South, and information warfare. His graphs and data help illustrate the history and context.

Various conflict scenarios are explained in detail. These include Washington’s military strategy to contain China, and so-called “democracy-building” exercises and “Color Revolutions” to overthrow governments not loyal to the West. The author also explains how economic sanctions are used to suffocate the economies of Western adversaries, and shows the role of information warfare in justifying Western aggression and mass murders, from Africa and Southeast Asia to Latin America, Iran, Iraq, Serbia and Ukraine.

The book centers on a clear presentation of key turning points in the deterioration of relations between the U.S. and Russia and then between the U.S. and China, enabling us to see how the other side would likely interpret our actions and thus how our intransigence inevitably drives us forward to more violent confrontations.

The book is written in an engaging style, for all readers with an interest in history, politics, and international affairs. Progressives, libertarians, activists, concerned citizens, and others who oppose aggressive Western foreign policy will certainly enjoy the book. It presents information not found within the mainstream, and by doing so, presents readers with new ways of understanding these very important developments.

Chapter 1 lays out how we got there.

Chapter 2 focuses on the U.S. military approach towards China and Taiwan. An important theme is Washington’s attempt to surround and “contain� China with hundreds of military bases.

Chapter 3 dives into the realm of economic and technological warfare. The South China Sea is at the center of China’s trade, which is why Beijing is busy building up military installations on a series of artificially created islands. Meanwhile, American strategists are thinking of sending in the U.S. Navy to blockade key waterways to choke off China’s economic lifelines.

Chapter 4 explores the global nature of the emerging U.S.–China Cold War. In the Global South, both the United States and China are hoping to install governments obedient and loyal to their cause. The likely outcome will be brutal civil wars.

Chapter 5. The last dimension of the brewing Cold War is information warfare, waged via elaborate media and information systems. One is state-owned, the other private; yet they produce remarkably similar news. Both sides produce and spread information that supports their government’s actions. In fact, Western news organizations have a long history of working together with their governments, helping to justify and support Western wars. But what would happen if you were to step outside of this media bubble? Would you see the world and the U.S.–China Cold War differently? And will it help you to understand what is really going on?

Finally, Chapter 6 explains Washington’s endgame. What do U.S. officials want from China? The answer is surprisingly simple.