Episode 45: Cyber Warfare, China’s Grand Strategy, and America’s Future with Dmitri Alperovitch

In this high-stakes episode of Elevated Thoughts, Mike and I had the honor of sitting down with Dmitri Alperovitch—co-founder of CrowdStrike, executive chairman of Silverado Policy Accelerator, and author of World on the Brink: How America Can Beat China in the Race for the 21st Century. Dmitri brought his wealth of expertise in cybersecurity, geopolitics, and national security to break down the real threats facing the U.S.—from China’s aggressive cyber espionage to the brewing Cold War 2.0.

A Cybersecurity Pioneer’s Perspective

Dmitri started by recounting his journey into the world of cybersecurity, tracing his early days from encryption research in high school to co-founding one of the world’s most powerful cybersecurity firms, CrowdStrike. He reflected on his experience investigating some of the earliest cases of Chinese cyber espionage, including the infamous Operation Aurora, which saw the Chinese government infiltrate Google’s infrastructure.

His takeaway? Cybersecurity isn’t just a technology problem—it’s a geopolitical problem. "We don’t have a cyber problem," Dmitri said. "We have a China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea problem." He emphasized that cyberattacks from these nations are not isolated incidents but rather manifestations of broader strategic ambitions.

China: A Competitor or an Adversary?

One of the most striking moments in the conversation was Dmitri’s rejection of the term “competition” when discussing China’s role in the world order. He argued that calling China a “competitor” downplays the existential nature of the threat. "This is not a sporting match," he said. "The stakes are incredibly high."

China’s cyber activities have evolved dramatically over the last two decades. Initially focused on espionage and intellectual property theft—what Dmitri called "the greatest transfer of wealth in history"—China’s cyber operations have now escalated to a new level. He warned that the Chinese military has been infiltrating U.S. critical infrastructure—not to steal secrets, but to pre-position itself for a potential future conflict, such as a war over Taiwan.

This led to a deeper discussion on Taiwan’s strategic importance—not just as the global hub for semiconductor manufacturing, but as the linchpin of U.S. presence in the Pacific. Dmitri laid out why he believes Xi Jinping is determined to take Taiwan in his lifetime, and why America’s response will define the geopolitical landscape for decades to come.

Cold War 2.0 and the Battle for Technological Dominance

Dmitri made a compelling case that we are already in Cold War 2.0—a global struggle between the U.S. and China that, in many ways, mirrors the original Cold War with the Soviet Union. He walked us through the key battlegrounds of this conflict:

• Semiconductors: China’s reliance on foreign-made chips is its Achilles' heel. The U.S. and its allies (particularly the Netherlands and Japan) have the power to slow China’s technological advancement by restricting access to advanced chip-making equipment. However, Dmitri argued that current U.S. policies have been too slow and full of loopholes.
• AI and Cyber Warfare: China’s aggressive push into artificial intelligence, often using stolen Western technology, poses a long-term challenge. Dmitri highlighted how China has been stockpiling high-performance AI chips, many of which were acquired through black market channels despite U.S. export bans.
• Economic Decoupling: While some in Washington still hope for coexistence with China, Dmitri stressed that we are already seeing a decoupling of the two economies—especially in high-tech industries. "If we’re going to fight this conflict, we need to stop trying to have our cake and eat it too," he warned.

How the U.S. Can Win

Dmitri’s book, World on the Brink, outlines a strategy for America to maintain its leadership and counter China’s ambitions. Among his key recommendations:

• Invest in Innovation: The U.S. must lead in critical technologies like AI, quantum computing, and clean energy—securing supply chains and reducing reliance on Chinese manufacturing.
• Expand Export Controls: Existing restrictions on China’s access to advanced technology must be tightened and fully enforced.
• Strengthen Alliances: The U.S. should deepen trade and defense ties with allies like Japan, South Korea, India, and the European Union to contain China’s influence.
• Military Deterrence: Preventing a Chinese invasion of Taiwan should be a top priority. "The only winning move is deterrence," Dmitri said, underscoring the devastating consequences of a full-scale conflict.

Final Thoughts

This conversation with Dmitri Alperovitch was a wake-up call. While many Americans remain focused on domestic issues, the geopolitical chessboard is shifting rapidly. China’s ambitions extend far beyond economic competition—they seek to reshape the global order, and the U.S. must act decisively to secure its future.

For those looking to understand the high-stakes battle for technological and military supremacy, Dmitri’s book World on the Brink is a must-read. You can follow him on X (@DAlperovitch) or check out his work at the Silverado Policy Accelerator.

And as always, stay tuned to Elevated Thoughts for more conversations that cut through the noise and tackle the biggest issues of our time.