Steve Yates, a senior research fellow with the Heritage Foundation, provided an in-depth analysis of current U.S. foreign policy during a recent interview with Neal Larson and Julie Mason on Newstalk 107.9. Speaking from Taiwan, Yates discussed the intricacies of U.S. relations with China and Iran, as well as the strategic importance of the Pacific region.
Yates opened the interview by announcing his new podcast, “Nation States with Yates,” launched this month on the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton network. He described the program as a personal national security advisor for listeners, applying common-sense analysis to global events that impact American households.
Reflecting on a recent high-level executive delegation to China, Yates highlighted the intense security concerns associated with the Chinese Communist Party. He noted that members of the American delegation reportedly discarded gifts and electronic devices upon departure to prevent cyber infiltration. “The only thing you can do is throw things away and use burner communications only,” Yates remarked, emphasizing the sophisticated nature of Chinese surveillance. He also touched on the substantive outcomes of the visit, including discussions on fentanyl regulation and agricultural trade, though he warned that Chinese promises require verification.
The discussion shifted to the Middle East, where Yates characterized recent policy toward Iran as a “prudent use of force.” He noted that while the U.S. is avoiding large-scale ground wars, it is effectively pressuring regional allies to take a more active role. Yates pointed out that China remains a primary economic lifeline for Iran, purchasing a “super majority” of its oil exports. He suggested that China benefits strategically when the U.S. is distracted by conflicts in other theaters.
Currently stationed in Taiwan, Yates observed that local leadership remains cautious following U.S.-China diplomatic meetings. He specifically addressed a potential $14 billion arms sale package to Taiwan, which has become a point of leverage in broader negotiations. Yates expressed that while unscripted comments regarding these sales can cause anxiety in the region, the underlying alliance remains a critical deterrent against Chinese expansion.
