Aug 16, 2026 · 55 min · 9 segments
Is China betraying the world's oppressed nations, or is it playing a longer, harder game than its critics understand? Carlos Martinez, author of The East is Still Red and co-editor of Friends of…
Carlos MartinezGuest
Radhika DesaiHost
You know, what's the physical component of China's imperialism? It doesn't have colonies, unlike the United States.
It doesn't engage in proxy wars, coups, assassinations, unilateral sanctions, economic coercion.
So, you know, from a physical point, perspective, and a political perspective, and a military perspective, to call China imperialist is borderline insane.
This whole idea that somehow China should, you know, drop everything and, and go immediately to the aid of all these countries, uh, it reminded me, you know, when we are on a plane and we are given this usual security announcement, y- you are always told to put on your own mask before you help anyone else, even your own child.
Because at the end of the day, it's responsible for the wellbeing, security, prosperity of 1.3 billion people, whatever the number is now.
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