China’s increasing security measures in Xinjiang reflect its historical territorial vulnerability and concerns over internal stability. Balancing these with its international ambitions and foreign relations will be no easy feat.
Continue readingHistorical Differences Will Not Erode an Advantageous 21st-Century Chinese-Russian Partnership
Cautious cooperation, lingering distrust, and outright conflict have characterized the Sino-Russian relationship for hundreds of years. But alongside natural reasons to collaborate, a shared animosity toward the United States ensures positive relations will endure.
Continue readingThe U.S. Makes a Mockery of Treaties and International Law
The United States claims it is operating under a “rules-based order”—but the term is not the same international law recognized by the rest of the world. Rather, it is camouflage behind which American exceptionalism flourishes.
Continue readingHow Plans to Develop a Japan-US ‘Island Chain’ Will Provoke Backlash from China and Russia
A Kyodo News agency report on Friday cited Japanese government sources to the effect that Tokyo and Washington have drawn up a draft joint operation plan that would enable the setup of an attack base along the Nansei island chain in Japan’s southwest in the event of a Taiwan contingency.
Continue readingThere’s a Nonsensical Propaganda Campaign to Make China Look Bad in Uganda
Beijing has denied media allegations that it is scheming to ‘take over’ Entebbe Airport by way of a BRI loan.
Continue readingWhy Poorer Nations Aren’t Falling for Green-Washed Imperialism
The world’s wealthiest countries make a big show of fighting climate change without offering poorer countries the finances to switch to renewable energy.
Continue readingWhy Biden Shouldn’t Use the ‘Summit for Democracy’ to Start More Cold Wars
A renewed cold war with Russia and China would reinforce the nationalist and militarist factions in all countries.
Continue readingWhy U.S. Pressure on Ukraine and Taiwan Is Driving China and Russia Closer Together
The “feel-good” from Tuesday’s virtual meeting between President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping leaps out of the US-Russian summit in Geneva in June.
Continue readingWhy Our Climate Isn’t Jumping for Joy After COP26
The climate conference ended with a watered down promise to phase down rather than phase out coal-powered energy generation and only the most powerful countries got to finalize the pact.
Continue readingCOP26: India Ends up as Fall Guy
EU, United States, and UK backed India and China into a corner on phasing out coal use with the eyes of the world watching.
Continue readingNew Railway Agreements Reveal the Contours of Central Asia’s Rapid Integration
Greater regional connectivity is seen as crucial to long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Continue readingHow China Is Addressing Education Inequality
The ‘double reduction’ policy of minimising financial burden on parents and children can be seen as the government’s affirmation that the minds and health of students and families come before the pockets of investors and billionaires.
Continue readingMeta Isn’t Just About Rebranding Facebook—Could It Bring a Dystopian Future?
Facebook’s announcement has implications about digital life and work—provided it can attract younger users and gamer skeptics and overcome the hate speech and disinformation problems that could still plague Zuckerberg’s vision.
Continue readingThe U.S. Has an Unhealthy Obsession With Cuba
Through USAID, the U.S. government has funneled millions of dollars into Cuban opposition groups as part of their desperate attempts to overthrow the revolution.
Continue readingAfghanistan Tackles the Islamic State
A horrific attack by ISIS-K on a Shiite mosque has raised alarms not just among the Taliban, but in Iran and China.
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