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maddenduncan 's review for:
Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare
by Edward Fishman
informative
reflective
fast-paced
This was one of the best (and most timely) books I’ve read this year. When I picked it up, I thought that it would be about strategic choke points in general, primarily physical chokepoints. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the sole focus of this book is economic warfare and US exploitation of dominance over the global financial system as a new kind of chokepoint. The book explores the development of economies as a new kind of warfare, and tells the story of this practice through four conflicts.
1. US sanctions on Iran leading up to and after the nuclear deal.
2. Sanctions on Russia after the invasion of Crimea.
3. Economic warfare against China under both Trump and Biden, mostly to curb the impending development of a China controlled chokepoint through companies like Huawei.
4. The Russian invasion and war of aggression against Ukraine.
In discussing each of these eras, the author explains where sanctions were effective, where opportunities were missed, and where and why sanctions failed.
After discussing these events, the author explores the future of sanctions, tariffs, and export controls. Specifically, he explains how they can be used more effectively in the future with keener political maneuvering, and how their overuse or misuse may lead to their blunting or a turn of the tides against US supremacy in this type of warfare. Already, countries most targeted by US economic aggression are taking steps to create a bulwark against future sanctions. Simultaneously, the more calculated, scalpel-like use of sanctions has been replaced by a shotgunning hammer.
This book ties together economics, politics, technology, history and strategy, resulting in a fascinating recounting of the largest conflicts of the last few decades. I highly recommend it if any of the above topics are of interest.
1. US sanctions on Iran leading up to and after the nuclear deal.
2. Sanctions on Russia after the invasion of Crimea.
3. Economic warfare against China under both Trump and Biden, mostly to curb the impending development of a China controlled chokepoint through companies like Huawei.
4. The Russian invasion and war of aggression against Ukraine.
In discussing each of these eras, the author explains where sanctions were effective, where opportunities were missed, and where and why sanctions failed.
After discussing these events, the author explores the future of sanctions, tariffs, and export controls. Specifically, he explains how they can be used more effectively in the future with keener political maneuvering, and how their overuse or misuse may lead to their blunting or a turn of the tides against US supremacy in this type of warfare. Already, countries most targeted by US economic aggression are taking steps to create a bulwark against future sanctions. Simultaneously, the more calculated, scalpel-like use of sanctions has been replaced by a shotgunning hammer.
This book ties together economics, politics, technology, history and strategy, resulting in a fascinating recounting of the largest conflicts of the last few decades. I highly recommend it if any of the above topics are of interest.