The Avoidable War book cover

The Avoidable War by Kevin Rudd Summary

The Avoidable War
Kevin Rudd
4.24 (1531 Reviews)
Politics
History
Economics
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Overview of The Avoidable War

In "The Avoidable War," former Australian PM Kevin Rudd delivers the definitive roadmap for preventing US-China catastrophe. Praised as the best single-volume analysis on China relations, this 2022 geopolitical must-read reveals how "managed strategic competition" could save millions of lives.

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Key takeaways

1

The Collision Course: America and China's Dangerous Dance

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The world is entering what Kevin Rudd calls "the decade of living dangerously" - a period when U.S.-China tensions have escalated to their highest point in generations. This isn't just another foreign policy challenge; it's potentially the defining geopolitical relationship of our century. What makes Rudd's analysis so compelling is his rare combination of insider access and cultural fluency. As a Mandarin-speaking former Prime Minister who has met personally with Xi Jinping, Rudd offers insights few Western observers can match. The stakes couldn't be higher: these two superpowers possess the world's largest economies and most powerful militaries, yet they increasingly view each other through lenses of suspicion and strategic rivalry. The fundamental question isn't whether competition will continue - it's whether that competition can be managed without spiraling into catastrophic conflict.

2

Inside Xi's Mind: China's Grand Strategy Revealed

3

The Thucydides Trap: Why History Suggests War Is Likely

4

The Concentric Circles of Xi's Worldview

5

Party First: The Politics of Perpetual Control

6

Taiwan: The Flashpoint That Could Ignite Global War

7

The Path Forward: Managed Strategic Competition

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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

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@Raaaaaachelw
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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254
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17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

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