Introduction: The Choice Between Hegemony and Harmony

As the drums of war beat louder in Washington and Beijing, the global public is being sold a narrative of inevitability. We are told that a US-China conflict is the natural result of a declining empire meeting a rising power. However, as I explore in my latest work, A Realistic Path to Peace From Genocide to Global War, this "inevitability" is a choice made by those who profit from the war machine.

To avoid a catastrophic Third World War, we must pivot from a policy of "containment" to one of "engagement."

1. Breaking the "Big Lie" of the New Cold War

In my analysis of modern conflicts, I often refer to the "Big Lie"—the propaganda used to manufacture public consent for war. In the context of US-China relations, this involves the demonization of China to justify massive military spending and provocative "freedom of navigation" exercises in the South China Sea.

My book, A Realistic Path to Peace, serves as a toolkit for sorting truth from propaganda. By understanding the root causes of the "New Cold War," readers can see that the greatest threat to global stability isn't a single nation, but the aggressive pursuit of unipolar hegemony.

2. People-to-People Peacemaking

If the governments are failing to communicate, the people must step in. This is the core thesis of Befriending China  People-to-People Peacemaking. Drawing on decades of experience in the peace movement—from resisting the Vietnam War to organizing against the invasion of Iraq—I argue that "Befriending China" is not an act of submission, but an act of survival.

Conflict resolution strategies for the 21st century must include:

Cultural Exchange: Breaking down the "us vs. them" binary.

Economic Cooperation: Shifting from "decoupling" to shared prosperity.

Environmental Solidarity: Recognizing that the climate crisis cannot be solved while the world’s two largest economies are at war.

3. Learning from a "Whirlwind" of Resistance

My perspective isn't just academic; it’s lived. In my political memoir, My Whirlwind Lives  Navigating Decades of Storms, I document the evolution of the anti-war movement. From the draft resistance of the 1960s to the anti-imperialist struggles of today, the lesson remains the same: peace is a grassroots achievement.

The US-China tension is just the latest chapter in a long history of unnecessary escalations. By looking at historical peace movements, we see that organized public opposition is the only force capable of stopping the war machine.

4. Why the World Needs a Multipolar Future

A sustainable "Path to Peace" requires us to embrace a multipolar world. As discussed on DeeKnight.blog, the transition from a US-led world order to one of mutual respect among nations is the only way to prevent global war.

Books on global peace shouldn't just offer "hope"—they must offer a strategy. By combining the insights from Befriending China with the systemic critique in A Realistic Path to Peace, we can forge a roadmap that values justice over dominance.

Conclusion: The Time to Act is Now

We are at a tipping point. The old world of war and exploitation is struggling to maintain its grip, while a new world—one based on cooperation and diplomacy—is trying to be born. Whether we are discussing Gaza, Ukraine, or the looming threat of a US-China war, the solution is the same: We Must Resist.