The Middle Ground Mic
The MiddleGround Mic is a top-ranked news commentary and politics podcast built on one principle: No Left. No Right. Forward. Hosted by Joseph Steagall, the show cuts through partisan noise and dives deep into the issues shaping America and the world. From elections and foreign policy to local community challenges, every episode seeks common ground where real solutions live.
Ranked in the top #15 U.S. News Commentary podcasts, The MiddleGround Mic features influential guests — from thought leaders and journalists to everyday voices making an impact. With balanced perspectives, raw conversations, and a centrist outlook, we give listeners what’s missing in today’s media: honesty, clarity, and a way forward.
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The Middle Ground Mic
China, Power, and Perception: What Belt & Road Really Means | A. Marc Ross
China’s rise isn’t just economic — it’s cultural, strategic, and deeply misunderstood.
In this episode of The Middle Ground Mic, Joe talks with author A. Marc Ross about US-China tensions, the Belt and Road Initiative, terrorism narratives, extremism in modern politics, and how fiction like Attacking the Dragon reveals truths traditional analysis often misses.
A grounded, non-partisan conversation about power, fear, and the future of global relations.
Article:
Chapters
00:00 Understanding the Dragon: Introduction to China and Its Global Ambitions
02:47 Belt and Road Initiative: China's Global Expansion Strategy
05:35 Cultural Insights: Distinguishing the Chinese People from Their Government
07:56 Communication Gaps: How China and the US Perceive Each Other
10:44 Fiction Meets Reality: The Role of Terrorism in the Narrative
13:29 Misunderstandings and Truths: The Real China vs. Perceptions
15:49 The Fear Factor: China's Perspective on US Relations
18:31 Business Risks: Navigating the Gray Areas in China
21:31 Potential Scenarios: What If Fiction Became Reality?
24:16 The Economic Landscape: China's Debt and Global Influence
26:58 Future Considerations: The Path Ahead for US-China Relations
30:58 Diversification in Manufacturing and Economic Dependencies
33:04 The Complex Relationship with China
34:53 Intellectual Property Theft and Its Implications
37:18 Understanding the Chinese Government vs. Its People
39:54 China's Future: Rising Power or Declining Influence?
47:31 The Polarization of Political Discourse
51:13 The Role of Fiction in Shaping Perspectives
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