Ambassador Chas Freeman's Insights: US-China, Ukraine, And Global Dynamics

DR. Christopher Zambakari, B.S., MBA, MIS, LP.D., PHF
Founder & CEO, The Zambakari Advisory
Hartley B. and Ruth B. Barker Endowed Rotary Peace Fellow
Assistant Editor, Bulletin of The Sudan Studies Association

Credit: Nikolett Meresz

In our Spring 2023 Special Issue: “The Great Power Competition in Eurasia,” we invited experts, including Ambassador Charles W. Freeman Jr., to analyze the historical context of the Ukraine conflict. We examine the role of the U.S.-led NATO alliance, China's emergence, and more. Freeman, a former U.S. assistant secretary of defense and diplomat, warns against military-centric diplomacy. His Q&A, 'Ukraine, China, and the Global Failure of US Policy,' explores nuclear risks and the need for global partnership. Freeman fears the worst, if the U.S. doesn’t turn its focus away from military prowess and territorialism and, instead, concentrate on being a better world partner.

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As tensions rise between the United States and China over Taiwan, and the war in Ukraine continues to escalate, it is worth considering the views of former US Ambassador Chas W. Freeman Jr. on these issues. Freeman is a seasoned diplomat who has served in various roles in the US government, including as ambassador to Saudi Arabia and assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs. His views on the current state of US foreign policy are particularly relevant considering recent developments.

To understand Freeman's perspective on the current crisis, it is necessary to provide some historical context. Since the end of the Cold War, the US-Russia relationship has been characterized by a mixture of cooperation and competition. On the one hand, the US and Russia have worked together on issues such as arms control and counterterrorism. On the other hand, there have been numerous disagreements over issues such as NATO expansion, missile defense, and the conflict in Syria.

Meanwhile, the US-China relationship has also evolved significantly since the normalization of diplomatic relations in 1979. Initially, the relationship was one of strategic competition, with the US supporting Taiwan and China supporting North Korea. However, in the 1990s, the relationship shifted towards one of engagement and cooperation, with the US welcoming China into the global economy and supporting its entry into the World Trade Organization.

In recent years, however, the US-China relationship has become increasingly fraught, with both sides accusing the other of aggressive behavior. The US has criticized China's human rights record, its territorial claims in the South China Sea, and its alleged theft of intellectual property. China, for its part, has accused the US of trying to contain its rise as a global power.

The situation in Ukraine has added an additional layer of complexity to these relationships. Since the 2014 Ukrainian revolution and the subsequent Russian annexation of Crimea, the US has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine and has imposed economic sanctions on Russia. However, Russia has continued to support separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine, leading to a conflict that has killed thousands of people.

Freeman believes that the US has contributed to the current crisis by pursuing a policy of "dual containment" towards both Russia and China. He argues that this approach has only served to push the two countries closer together and has made it more difficult to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.

In Freeman's view, the US needs to adopt a more nuanced approach to its foreign policy, one that takes into account the complex realities of the global landscape. He suggests that the US should engage in dialogue with both Russia and China, rather than trying to isolate them. This would involve a willingness to compromise on issues such as missile defense and Taiwan, as well as a recognition of Russia's legitimate security concerns.

With respect to Ukraine, Freeman advocates for a diplomatic solution that involves all parties, including Russia. He argues that the US should work with its European allies to develop a comprehensive settlement that addresses the concerns of all parties, including Ukraine, Russia, and the separatist rebels.

However, Freeman's views are not without controversy. Some argue that his willingness to engage with Russia and China could lead to appeasement and compromise on key US interests, such as human rights and territorial integrity. Others argue that the US should take a more confrontational approach to both Russia and China, in order to protect its interests and maintain its global influence.

Despite the differing views on how to proceed, it is clear that the US-China relationship and the conflict in Ukraine are two of the most pressing foreign policy issues facing the US today. As we move forward, it is important to consider the perspectives of experienced diplomats like Chas W. Freeman Jr., who offer valuable insights into the complex realities of international relations. Only by taking a nuanced and informed approach can we hope to find a peaceful resolution to these.

About the Author
Christopher Zambakari holds a Doctor of Law and Policy degree from Northeastern University and is chief executive officer of The Zambakari Advisory. He is a Hartley B. and Ruth B. Barker Endowed Rotary Peace Fellow, and the assistant editor of The Bulletin of the Sudan Studies Association. His area of research and expertise is international law and security, political reform and economic development, governance and democracy, conflict management and prevention, and nation- and state-building processes in Africa and in the Middle East. His work has been published in leading law, economic, and public policy journals.