Is there a risk of war?

The big foreign policy event in 2021 was the US retreat from Afghanistan: the end of a long, unwinnable, war. But we should ask if this is a temporary withdrawal from conflict that will reappear elsewhere. I look at the three main candidates for conflict involving big powers: Ukraine, with Russian troops currently massing on the frontiers; Iran, with a probable risk of breakdown in negotiations over Iran’s nuclear ambitions; and Taiwan where threats of invasion from the mainland or threats of provocative moves by Taiwan to declare independence are openly canvassed.  Independent article link: https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/russia-china-taiwan-putin-biden-b1986387.html Vince’s new book ‘The Chinese Conundrum: Engagement or Conflict’ is available to buy online or from your local bookstore. Amazon, Bloomsbury, Waterstones, WHSmiths. To find out more about Vince, go to www.vincecable.org Follow him on Twitter: @vincecable Produced by Podcast.co