Wippl Challenges New Cold War Narrative in Latest Book
Joseph Wippl, Professor of the Practice of International Relations at Boston University’s Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, has contributed an incisive chapter to “IMAGINE: Winning the New Cold War” (October 2024, edited by Phil Berardelli). Drawing on his 30-year CIA career, Wippl delivers a clear-eyed analysis of contemporary global challenges and America’s position in the changing world order.
Wippl challenges the notion of a new Cold War, arguing that today’s geopolitical landscape is fundamentally different: “The Communist Party of China rules the country, but it is an authoritarian party without an ideology of imposed social equality. Subversion was a useful tool for one side in the Cold War ideological conflict. In the future, countries will try to influence other countries rather than subvert them.”
On America’s role, Wippl emphasizes the nation’s unique advantages: “What does favor us is our geographic position between two oceans, our incredible mineral and agricultural wealth, our ability to entice a great many of the world’s most intelligent and diligent people to settle within our borders by rewarding them with security and prosperity, and our use of the English language.”
Discussing future challenges, Wippl notes: “Taking a lesson from the Cold War, the way to survive in a new and messy world is to remain strong politically, economically and militarily. Patience and flexibility based on power are helpful to succeed in dealing with global partners, semi-partners and adversaries alike.”
He particularly emphasizes the role of intelligence in modern statecraft: “Intelligence helps more to comprehend problems or issues than to take action. If we can fully grasp a problem or issue, it is almost always possible to find an accommodation or possibly even a solution.”
Wippl’s chapter appears alongside contributions from fifty of the nation’s leading experts in national security, military intelligence, and global politics. The book addresses two key questions: Is the United States in a New Cold War? If so, what must be done to prevail?
Readers can find Wippl’s complete analysis, along with insights from other national security experts, in “IMAGINE: Winning the New Cold War,” available here .
Joseph Wippl is a former CIA officer. He spent a 30-year career as an operations officer in the National Clandestine Service (NCS). On assignments in CIA headquarters, he served as the Deputy Chief of Human Resources, as the Senior NCS representative to the Aldrich Ames Damage Assessment Team, as Chief of Europe Division, and as the CIA’s Director of Congressional Affairs. Prior to his arrival at Boston University, he occupied the Richard Helms Chair for Intelligence Collection in the NCS training program. Wippl has taught at BU since 2006, and speaks and writes widely on issues regarding intelligence. Read more about him on his Pardee School faculty profile.