Clash of Titans

This segment builds suspense by exploring the potential inevitability of conflict between major global powers, making it compelling for geopolitics enthusiasts.

And one of my dear friends with whom I somewhat disagree on some things and agree vociferously on other things, John Mearsheimer, the great political scientist, wrote a famous book called The Tragedy of Great Power Politics. This is his magnum opus. And in it, he says, at the beginning of the book, in around 2000, he said, the relations with China are quiet now, but when China gains power, we will go into conflict with China. And so this is to answer your question. Why would John Mearsheimer say that? Not because of anything China would have done, but because a big power will generate a reaction from the United States. That's his theory that we're on an almost inevitable collision course, the great powers.