As 2021 painfully revealed, the United States did not achieve its objective of establishing a durable, functioning government in Afghanistan friendly to our interests. Afghanistan is but the latest in a succession of post-World War II disasters where we failed…
In this year’s unexpectedly successful offensive campaign, the Taliban mastered the “battle of the narrative” by linking propaganda and negotiation to its military operations in a way that not only exploited the Afghan government’s disunity and weaknesses, but also reinforced…
Perhaps the most striking visual presence in North Korea is of the Kims, founder Kim Il-sung, the “Great Leader” of Korean War fame, and his son and successor, “Dear Leader” Kim Jong-il. Although nominally a communist country, the North displays…
For the first time since 2001, the Taliban controls most of Afghanistan. US intelligence estimates made public just over a week ago predicted that the Afghan government could fall within 90 days. It fell in less than a week. While…
Chinese regulators are cracking down on domestic companies, including technology, after-school learning, and real estate businesses. The crackdown is part of the Chinese Communist Party’s continued push to concentrate power and is consonant with President Xi Jinping’s efforts to deter…
Beijing’s new ambassador to the U.S., Qin Gang, a prominent wolf warrior diplomat with close ties to President Xi Jinping, has struck a conciliatory tone since his arrival on July 28. But it’s unlikely that this half-hearted attempt at improving…
In an act born of supremely cynical calculation, it was reported earlier this week by the Chinese government–controlled Xinhua News Agency that President Xi Jinping would like to foster a more “trustworthy, respectable and loveable” image for the People’s Republic…
The Associated Press reported recently that Taiwan’s foreign minister Joseph Wu said if the island is attacked by China it will defend itself “to the very last day.” The foreign minister was reacting to China’s flying of 10 warplanes into…
The Biden administration was, or was not, depending on whom you talk to, discussing a 2022 Olympics boycott with allies and friends. That’s all to the good. If the administration can’t make up its mind about whether it was even…