#23 Pt. 1 - Islam, China, and the West: Clash, Convergence, or Coexistence?

#23 Pt. 1 - Islam, China, and the West: Clash, Convergence, or Coexistence?

From Diplomacy and Discourse Podcast by A.R

October 15, 2025 · 29 min · Season 1 · Episode 23

About this episode

In this episode, A.R. explores the relevance of Samuel P. Huntington's Clash of Civilizations theory in the context of current global dynamics.

In Part 1 of this two to three-part series, host A.R. unpacks Samuel P. Huntington’s Clash of Civilizations and tests it against the world we actually live in. What we cover: The theory: Huntington’s civilizational blocs and “fault lines” The critique: simplifications, identity flattening, and “us vs. them” Real-world flashpoints: U.S.–China rivalry, Russia’s war in Ukraine, Gaza (2023–25), Taliban rule in Afghanistan, EU migration politics Paradoxes of power: U.S.–Saudi alignment, China brokering a Saudi–Iran détente, BRICS expansion Globalization’s countercurrent: interdependence, soft power, and transnational networks Alternative lenses: Francis Fukuyama: liberal convergence (End of History) Edward Said: critique of civilizational framing (Orientalism) Amartya Sen: overlapping identities (Identity and Violence) John Mearsheimer: realism and power over culture Joseph Nye: soft power, networks, and attraction 2025 outlook: slower U.S. growth, multipolar competition, and where civilizational narratives help—or mislead Key takeaways: Identity matters, but power politics, resources, and institutions matter too. “Clash” narratives can become political tools. The future looks less…

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