Category: China
China’s Belt and Road Initiative: Globalization as Imperialism
The Belt and Road Initiative is the vanguard for Beijing’s reach for global power. It may not work, given all the imponderables of a project on this scale, not to mention conflicting interests with nations along its route. But at … Continue reading
Evaluating Trump’s First Trade Deal with China
There is nothing special in the “100-day Action Plan.” On balance, the consensus favors the opening of China to American business. It will, of course, depend on careful monitoring to insure that the door is swinging the right way. China … Continue reading
All the Bad Options with North Korea
We should further step up our propaganda war via radio and social media against North Korea and its Chinese master. We should assist with an underground railroad to free North Korean slaves everywhere. Embolden the non-violent freedom fighter. And we … Continue reading
The Return of Mahan, Mackinder, and Spykman
Russia and Germany are signed on to Beijing’s project. They are both cooperating as well as investing in the “One Belt, One Road” project (OBOR) announced in 2013. Does this portend the awakening of Mackinder’s powerful Heartland thesis? The possible … Continue reading
Clinton Inc.’s China Legacy, a Warning to Trump’s Presidency
Year of the Rat, sixteen years later, is still recommended to those who wish to understand how the Executive Branch under the Clintons and Gore through money, power and influence has historically exposed the Democrat political party, and allowed American … Continue reading
Trump’s Foreign Policy Speech: Did he Jump into Bed With Putin?
Despite the media buildup for the speech, it’s clear that on the matter of the US-Russian relationship Trump doesn’t represent a real change from the policies of the Obama/Hillary administration. A contest between Hillary and The Donald means the Russians emerge as the winners—no matter who wins. Another Russian reset is in the cards, compounding the American weakness that Trump says he wants to do something about. Continue reading
Where is China in the Presidential Campaign?
The public needs to understand the larger strategic context of the 2016 presidential campaign, but is not getting enough information on the stump about the most important duty of the next president; keeping the United States the preeminent power in the world system as China (and Russia) mount new challenges. Continue reading
2015: A Much Darker Crystal Ball
The Middle East will remain a boiling cauldron as both al-Qaeda and ISIS continue their wars for territory and subjugation in Syria and Iraq, while targeting Saudi Arabia. Both groups are casting their eyes on other parts of the Middle East with Jordan and, ultimately, Saudi Arabia coming in their cross-hairs.
2014: Gazing Through a Crystal Ball, Darkly
2014 opens with gathering storm clouds and the U.S. ship of state under the command of an administration pursuing increasingly dubious foreign policies and facing declining public approval. The chickens stirred up by the “Leading from behind” approach are coming home to roost, particularly in the Middle East with the White House tilt to Iran.
China’s New Air Defense Zone is a Sign of Much Larger Ambitions
On November 23, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) announced the establishment of an East China Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and demanded that all aircraft entering or transiting the zone file flight plans with Beijing. China then deployed fighters to patrol the zone; threatening military action against anyone who did not acknowledge it’s authority in what is otherwise considered international…
TransCanada’s Keystone XL Pipeline: Under Cover of Darkness
We still don’t know the answer to that question, but a critical segment of the Keystone XL Pipeline is mighty close to conclusion. The map segment referred to as the “Gulf Coast Project” is nearly complete, as a finite pipeline capable of carrying Canadian oil sands from Hardisty, Alberta to Nederland, Texas.
The Moving Wall of China’s Red Dragon Empire
Beijing views India, Japan, and Russia as strategic rivals, where India must be checked by the geopolitical alignment of China with Pakistan and trade routes must be secured by the so-called “String of Pearls” for the acquisition of vital resources, … Continue reading
Keep Chinese Capital and Tech Flows Restricted
The summer and fall of 2010 were marked by diplomatic clashes between an increasingly assertive People’s Republic of China and the United States and its allies running from the Korean peninsula through the South China Sea to Southeast Asia.
Barack Obama’s Disturbing Reference to Deng Xiaoping
President Barack Obama opened his remarks welcoming President Hu Jintao of the People’s Republic of China to a state visit on January 19 with a reference to a visit by Deng Xiaoping to the White House in 1979.
China’s Friend in Obama’s Cabinet
Gary Locke has been nominated by President Barack Obama to be Secretary of Commerce. This post requires that its holder think in national terms, but it is not clear from Locke’s record that he is inclined to do so.
