EPISODE · May 18, 2026 · 11 MIN
Victor Davis Hanson: Why War With China Is Not Inevitable
from The Daily Signal · host The Daily Signal
Chinese officials increasingly warn about the so-called “Thucydides Trap,” the idea that a rising China and an established United States are destined for war. But the historical comparison falls apart under closer examination. From ancient Athens and Sparta to modern America and China, Hanson breaks down why the analogy is flawed, why the United States is not a declining power, and why China may be facing deeper long term problems than many in the West are willing to admit. Despite endless predictions of American decline, the United States still leads China in energy production, military power, food security, technological dominance, alliances, and economic productivity, while China faces mounting problems with demographics, debt, energy dependence, and slowing growth, argues Victor Davis Hanson on today’s edition of “Victor Davis Hanson: In a Few Words.” 👉 The Daily Signal cannot continue to tell stories, like this one, without the support of our viewers: http://dailysignal.com/donate 👉Don’t miss out on Victor’s latest short videos by subscribing to The Daily Signal today. You’ll be notified every time a new piece of content drops: https://www.youtube.com/dailysignal?sub_confirmation=1 Also on Spotify: https://megaphone.link/THEDAILYSIGNAL9753340027 👉Want more VDH? Watch Victor’s weekly, hour-long podcast, “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words,” now! Subscribe to his YouTube channel, and enable notifications: https://www.youtube.com/@victordavishanson7273?sub_confirmation=1👉More exclusive content is available on Victor’s website: https://victorhanson.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What this episode covers
Chinese officials increasingly warn about the so-called “Thucydides Trap,” the idea that a rising China and an established United States are destined for war. But the historical comparison falls apart under closer examination. From ancient Athens and Sparta to modern America and China, Hanson breaks down why the analogy is flawed, why the United States is not a declining power, and why China may be facing deeper long term problems than many in the West are willing to admit. Despite endless predictions of American decline, the United States still leads China in energy production, military power, food security, technological dominance, alliances, and economic productivity, while China faces mounting problems with demographics, debt, energy dependence, and slowing growth, argues Victor Davis Hanson on today’s edition of “Victor Davis Hanson: In a Few Words.” 👉 The Daily Signal cannot continue to tell stories, like this one, without the support of our viewers: http://dailysignal.com/donate 👉Don’t miss out on Victor’s latest short videos by subscribing to The Daily Signal today. You’ll be notified every time a new piece of content drops: https://www.youtube.com/dailysignal?sub_confirmation=1 Also on Spotify: https://megaphone.link/THEDAILYSIGNAL9753340027 👉Want more VDH? Watch Victor’s weekly, hour-long podcast, “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words,” now! Subscribe to his YouTube channel, and enable notifications: https://www.youtube.com/@victordavishanson7273?sub_confirmation=1👉More exclusive content is available on Victor’s website: https://victorhanson.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Victor Davis Hanson: Why War With China Is Not Inevitable
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