So what does a war between US and China mean for us? Australia’s economy is very dependent on China, but we’re also besties with the US. Jan Fran interviews Kevin Rudd on his latest book ‘The Avoidable War’

As Australia’s Defence Minister warns his nation to ‘prepare for war’ with China, there’s a growing feeling of inevitability about a future conflict between China and the United States. Against this rather bleak backdrop, we hear from one global figure who has had unusual access to China's leaders: Australia's former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. The President and CEO of the Asia Society, he describes himself as a Sinologist at the tables of power. He's probably the only Mandarin-speaking world leader to have one-on-ones with Xi Jinping and hear Jiang Zemin's rendition of O Sole Mio at Sydney Opera House. Rudd is publishing a book called The Avoidable War: The Dangers of a Catastrophic Conflict Between the United States and Xi Jinping’s China. This episode is a live recording of his Melbourne book launch, hosted by Louisa. In it, Rudd unpacks the logic of a future war, warns of Xi's biggest vulnerability and predicts a rocky few months ahead. This event was co-hosted by the Asia Society, the Wheeler Centre and RMIT Live.

The bottom line is [COVID shutdowns] are already effecting a number of manufacturing & that is already impacting supply chains.

According to Mr. Rudd, a former Australian prime minister who has studied, lived in, and worked with China for more than forty years, the relationship between the United States and China is especially volatile. It sits atop cultural misunderstanding, historical grievance, and ideological incompatibility. No other nations are so quick to offend and be offended; the capacity for either country to cross a critical line is growing rapidly.

Kevin Rudd discusses his new book The Avoidable War with Tom Swarbrick on LBC UK

An ageing dictator, looking to his legacy, pushes the button on a long-planned invasion of a smaller neighbour. The fiction of an “international community” is quickly exposed: some countries barely bat an eyelid, preferring the economic rewards of a close relationship; others fear that anything beyond sanctions and stern words risks escalation – the story that this dictator has spent years telling his people, about their destiny and about himself, makes this conflict existential. This is Vladimir Putin and Ukraine in 2022. Could it be Xi Jinping and Taiwan a few years hence?

China will welcome a prolonged war in Ukraine as a “rolling strategic diversion” from its own assertiveness, according to former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd, and exploit a distracted west to focus on its competition with the US. Western nations have imposed economic sanctions on Russia and supplied Ukraine with weapons following President Vladimir Putin’s invasion in February. China has refused to condemn Russia’s belligerence, drawing accusations that Beijing supported Moscow’s invasion.

A war between China and the US would be catastrophic, deadly, and destructive. Unfortunately, it is no longer unthinkable. The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia joined Kevin Rudd, a former Australian prime minister who has studied, lived in, and worked with China for more than forty years, to hear his insight on how the two superpowers can coexist.

Kevin Peraino of the New York Times reviews Kevin Rudd’s ‘The Avoidable War’

Kevin Rudd, former prime minister of Australia and currently the president and CEO of the Asia Society, joins CNBC's 'Squawk Box' to discuss China's economy amid stringent Covid lockdowns in Shanghai.

Kevin Rudd appears on CNBC’s Squawk Box to discuss China’s economy amid stringent Covid lockdowns in Shanghai.

Kevin Rudd discusses major topics of his new book, “The Avoidable War”.

Former Australian prime minister and China expert Kevin Rudd has published a penetrating and prescient analysis of the history and future of US-China relations as an excerpt of his forthcoming book.

Rana Foroohar’s reviews Kevin Rudd’s ‘The Avoidable War’ in the Financial Times’ Swamp Notes newsletter.

How the U.S and China can co-exist and manage their strategic competition without it leading to a serious crisis or worse - armed conflict.

Kevin Rudd is unique among contemporary Western leaders in being able to address his Chinese colleagues in their own language.

Kevin Rudd speaking to Duke University in the United States.

Kevin Rudd speaks to the Atlantic Council in the United States.

The world's responsibilities are clear: these barbaric war crimes must be investigated; perpetrators must face justice; and Ukraine cannot afford for the West to become distracted.

Kevin Rudd has hit back at Scott Morrison’s attacks on Labor’s economic credentials, saying the Prime Minister would be “lucky” to have an economic record anything like his.