China and the Philippines: Good friends, despite the sea disputes
The Philippines is one of the most vocal states protesting China’s claims to the South China Sea — a sore point in what would otherwise be a prosperous relationship.
Politics & Current Affairs
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Beijing responds to Taiwan VP’s U.S. trip with military drills
Taiwanese Vice President Lai Ching-te made a stopover in the U.S. last week. His trip was intentionally low-profile, but it nonetheless angered Beijing.
Taiwan’s third-party presidential candidate wants to challenge the political establishment. But can he win?
Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party, currently polling second behind William Lai in the race to become Taiwan's next leader, has rallied supporters around domestic issues that bypass traditional “green” and “blue” divides.
No surprises during William Lai’s low-key transit through the U.S.
During stops through the United States this week, Taiwan’s vice president and current front-runner for the island’s upcoming presidential election sought to portray himself as a pragmatic successor to Tsai Ing-wen.
The real reason to pay attention to BRICS
BRICS is an awkward group, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. But its appeal across the Global South shows that resentment about Western global leadership is emerging as an umbrella issue uniting countries as disparate as communist Cuba and anti-communist Indonesia.
Joe Biden believes describing Xi Jinping as a ‘dictator’ carried no consequences yet China’s anger simmers
After a spy balloon flew over America, U.S. President Joe Biden let slip that he regards Xi Jinping as a ‘dictator.’ Emotions on the issue are still running high. But does it matter?
Wargaming a Taiwan invasion scenario
This week on Sinica, Kaiser chats with Lyle Goldstein, the director for China engagement at the think tank Defense Priorities. Goldstein offers his perspectives on an extensive wargaming exercise focusing on a Chinese amphibious assault on Taiwan and offers insight into the real value of the exercise, as well as some of its shortcomings.
Italy wants to withdraw from China’s Belt and Road, but it won’t be easy
Italy was the only G7 country to become a part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative when it joined in 2019. But Rome has signaled it will likely exit the deal, in a move that will likely anger Beijing.
The next world war will be economic — even if the weapons don’t work
Time and again, history has shown that economic statecraft — sanctions — are ineffective. Yet the future of modern warfare will be fought with spreadsheets, tariffs, and trade restrictions. Both the U.S. and China are gearing up, possibly to everyone's detriment.