China Desk

In this episode of The China Desk Podcast, host Steve Yates sits down with veteran intelligence officer and author Nick Eftimiades to explore the tactics behind Chinese espionage. Drawing on decades of experience at the CIA, DIA, and State Department, Eftimiades explains how Beijing uses a “whole-of-society” approach—spanning the Ministry of State Security, PLA, United Front, state-owned enterprises, and academia—to gather intelligence and influence U.S. policy. He discusses the evolution of Chinese spy craft from the Cold War to Xi Jinping’s era, the Thousand Talents Program, elite capture, and the massive transfer of American intellectual property. The conversation closes with urgent steps the U.S. must take to counter China’s operations at the federal, state, and local levels. Watch Full-Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@ChinaDeskFNW  

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. Check out Full-Length Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@ChinaDeskFNW

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.Watch Full-Length Interviews on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChinaDeskFNW

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.Watch Full Video-Version:Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChinaDeskFNW 

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. Full-length video version available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChinaDeskFNW

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.

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': https://www.politybooks.com/bookdetail?book_slug=chinas-quest-for-military-supremacy--9781509556939 Watch, listen, and subscribe to keep up with the strategic dynamics shaping the future.

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

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.

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

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.

Steve Yates sits down with David Lin, Senior Director for Future Technology Platforms at the Special Competitive Studies Project and former CIA analyst, to discuss the evolving U.S.-China technology competition. Lin shares insights from his 12 years in government service, including his time at the State Department and the CIA, and explains why he transitioned to the private sector to better tackle the emerging tech threats posed by China. From Made in China 2025 to artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and cybersecurity, Lin details the strategic challenges America faces and the policy shifts needed to maintain global tech leadership. The episode also highlights the upcoming AI+ Expo in Washington, D.C., a major public event bridging government, industry, and academia around cutting-edge innovation.

Award-winning journalist Barbara Demick joins host Steve Yates on The China Desk Podcast for a powerful and emotional conversation about China's one-child policy, forced adoption, and the story behind her latest book, Daughters of the Bamboo Grove. Demick, a former Beijing bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times, shares her investigation into the brutal enforcement of population control and the heartbreaking case of twin sisters separated by coercive policies and reunited years later. From her reporting in Sarajevo and North Korea to deep dives into Tibetan life and Chinese orphanages, Demick sheds light on life under authoritarian regimes and the hidden human cost of policy decisions. This episode explores the personal, political, and global consequences of one of the most consequential social engineering projects of the modern era. 📘 Daughters of the Bamboo Grove is available starting May 20. 🔗 Subscribe to The China Desk for more expert interviews on China, geopolitics, and human rights.

In this episode of The China Desk Podcast, host Steve Yates welcomes Susan Crabtree, national political correspondent for RealClearPolitics and co-author of Fool’s Gold: The Radicals, Cronies, and Traitors Who Killed the California Dream and Now Threaten Us All. Susan shares her personal journey from a military family upbringing to a career in investigative journalism, highlighting her reporting on religious persecution in China, the human rights abuses of the CCP, and California’s evolving political landscape under Governor Gavin Newsom. Together, they explore California’s deepening ties to China through economic, political, and ideological avenues — from controversial PPE deals during COVID to foreign land ownership and Chinese influence in state institutions. Susan also reveals what inspired her to write Fool’s Gold and why the California model could be a cautionary tale for the rest of America. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on China’s influence in U.S. politics, California’s unique trajectory, and what it all means for national security and freedom.

In this episode, Steve Yates sits down with Luke de Pulford, co-founder and Executive Director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (iPAC). From his early inspiration by William Wilberforce to launching an international coalition of lawmakers, Luke shares his remarkable journey in human rights, modern slavery advocacy, and China policy. They discuss: - The role of faith and conviction in confronting authoritarian regimes - The origins and global impact of iPAC - The challenges of building consensus across political lines on China - The CCP’s growing aggression, transnational repression, and its global consequences - The controversy around the Chinese embassy expansion in London - Why reciprocity in international relations with China is no longer optional This is a deep dive into the intersection of values, strategy, and global security. A must-listen for anyone interested in geopolitics, human rights, and the future of China policy. 📍Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. 🌐 Visit chinadeskpodcast.com for archives and updates.

Isaac Stone Fish is the CEO and founder of Strategy Risks, a company specializing in assessing and mitigating risks, particularly related to China. A fluent Mandarin speaker with seven years of experience living in China, he has traveled extensively across the country. He authored America Second: How America’s Elites Are Making China Stronger (2022), examining the Communist Party of China’s influence in the U.S. Isaac is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a Truman National Security Project fellow, and contributes to CBS News, the Atlantic Council, and Barron’s. A seasoned journalist and academic, his insights have been featured in major global media outlets and leading publications such as The New York Times and The Atlantic.

My guests today are commissioners from the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, Randall Schriver and Kimberly Glas. Randall Schriver is the Chairman of the Board of the Project 2049 Institute and a partner at Pacific Solutions LLC. He is also a lecturer for Stanford University’s “Stanford-in-Washington” program, is on the Board of Advisors to the Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA, and is on the Board of Directors of the US-Taiwan Business Council. Kimberly Glas is president and CEO of the National Council of Textile Organizations. She served previously served as executive director for Blue Green Alliance and as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Textiles, Consumer Goods and Materials at the US Department of Commerce. She also worked on Capitol Hill, where her efforts helped lead to the establishment of the House Trade Working Group.

Mark Clifford is president of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong, the former executive director of the Asia Business Council, and a former board member at Next Digital. He is editorial chair of the Asian Review of Books, and served as editor in chief of both English-language papers in Hong Kong, The Standard and the South China Morning Post. An honors history graduate of UC Berkeley and a Walter Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, he holds a Ph.D. in Hong Kong history from the University of Hong Kong.

Philip Lenczycki is a Daily Caller News Foundation senior investigative reporter, China watcher, and former professor of Mandarin and East Asian Civilizations. Twitter: @LenczyckiPhilip

Grant Newsham is a Senior Fellow with the Center for Security Policy. He also is a Research Fellow at the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies focusing on Asia/Pacific defense, political and economic matters. Newsham is a retired U.S. Marine Colonel and was the first US Marine Liaison Officer to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. He also served as reserve head of intelligence for Marine Forces Pacific, and was the U.S. Marine Attaché, US Embassy Tokyo on two occasions.