What We Do
CUSP’s programmatic focus places U.S.-China relations in a global context, rather than on the study of China itself. We seek to understand what China’s rise means for the United States and the globe, while contributing to the ongoing debate among scholars, policymakers and the public about how to navigate the most critical question for future of the international system.
Our theory of the relationship is that the United States and China are engaged in a new type of cold war and that the task of both countries is to keep it cold—to maintain peace and security while preparing for the day when more cooperative relations become feasible. This will be a complex, decades-long challenge. Meeting it will require patience, deep knowledge of the cultures and histories of both countries, diplomacy, deterrence and the involvement of policymakers, scholars, corporations, technologists, NGOs and issue experts. Working for peace while recognizing the potential for
conflict will require continued engagement as well as vigilance.
The three pillars of CUSP’s efforts are:
- Diplomacy
- Global Order Competition
- Impacts of Technological Change and Competition
The Carnegie China Fellowship, generously supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, is a flagship of our program. We are proud to support cohorts of rising American scholars interested in understanding the rise of China, its implications for the broader international community, and its relationship with the United States.
Learn More about Carnegie China FellowshipOur Team
Contact Us
For any questions or media inquiries, email cusp@umd.edu.