Episode 750: Springtime for the PRC with Dean Cheng

Episode 750: Springtime for the PRC with Dean Cheng

From Midrats by Midrats

March 9, 2026 · 58 min

About this episode

Dean Cheng discusses the changing geopolitical landscape and its implications for China's national security.

The first quarter of 2026 still has three weeks to go, but the assumptions and friend group of the People’s Republic of China has changed dramatically. Recent changes in the assumptions concerning Venezuela, Iran, Japan, and other nations will impact the national security concerns of the West’s greatest challenger on the world stage. Returning to the Midrats Podcast today from 5-6 PM Eastern to discuss will be Dean Cheng. Dean is a Non-resident Senior Fellow, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies and Non-resident Fellow, George Washington University Space Policy Institute.He recently retired after 14 years with the Heritage Foundation, where he was a senior research fellow on Chinese political and security affairs, and wrote on various aspects of Chinese foreign and defense policy.Prior to joining the Heritage Foundation, he was a senior analyst with the China Studies Division (previously, Project Asia) at CNA from 2001-2009. Before joining CNA, he was a senior analyst with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) from 1996-2001. From 1993-1995, he was an analyst with the US Congress’ Office of Technology Assessment in the International Security and Space Division…

People in this episode

Host: Midrats

Guest: Dean Cheng

Topics covered

  • China
  • national security
  • foreign policy
  • international relations
  • defense
  • political analysis

Keywords

  • China
  • national security
  • Dean Cheng
  • foreign policy
  • Venezuela
  • Iran
  • Japan
  • defense policy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, George Washington University Space Policy Institute, Heritage Foundation, CNA, Science Applications International Corporation, US Congress’ Office of Technology Assessment

Books & works: Cyber Dragon: Inside China’s Information Warfare and Cyber Operations

Places: Venezuela, Iran, Japan

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