A great fire destroyed Rome for six days in the summer of AD 64. Famous Roman historian of that time, Tacitus, recorded that 70 percent of the city was destroyed and half of the city’s residents were displaced. Roman ruler… Read More ›
Opinion
Sri Lanka’s economic crisis is a political sabotage
Sri Lanka’s present state confirms the famous statement: “Insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results.” Sri Lankans have been repeating the mistakes of choosing the politicians Rajapaksas again and again. It is confirmed that there were unaccounted payments that… Read More ›
What may be China’s response to Pelosi’s Taiwan visit
Nikkei Asia describes US military deployment for possible military response to China’s response to Pelosi’s Taiwan visit in its report “U.S. deploys ships and planes near Taiwan as Pelosi eyes visit” yesterday. However, China is not fully prepared for taking… Read More ›
A Quad of a new kind: Tech Quad
Machines, big and small, all rely on one component, semiconductor. Be it computers, telecommunications, household appliances, banking, security, healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, and last but not least, war-making machinery, all depend upon semiconductors. So, it won’t be unreasonable to say that… Read More ›
China plundered, India blundered and Sri Lanka surrendered
On Wednesday, Ranil Wickremesinghe, present acting President, was voted in as the next President of Sri Lanka by the Sri Lankan parliamentarians. Some people are prematurely hailing new President Ranil Wickremasinghe as P V Narasimha Rao of Sri Lanka, who steered… Read More ›
Why Chinese warplanes are ‘playing chicken’ with US allies
Chinese warplanes are targeting US allies in a high-stakes “game of chicken” over the Asia-Pacific that risks spiraling out of control — raising the risk of an incident that could spark war. That is the view of analysts who warn… Read More ›
Has China lost Europe?
In April and May, as Russia’s war in Ukraine entered its third month, China sent a special envoy to meet with officials in eight central and eastern European countries. The timing was not coincidental: in the two months since Russia… Read More ›
Xi’s re-election: Opportunity for the world, curse for China
China is gearing up for the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party to be held later this year. According to the consensus view, President Xi Jinping’s historic bid for a third term as the party’s General Secretary is assured. The Chinese… Read More ›
China: A political view
I read Dr Mohamad Zreik[2] interesting and comprehensive article on the growth of China’s economy. It has come a long way since the days of Mao Tse Tung and the days of his communist experiment, the Long March, when millions… Read More ›
United States outmanoeuvres Russia once again?
In a recent briefing, the US Director of National Intelligence (DNI), Avril Haines warned, “I would characterize it as the Russians aren’t winning, and the Ukrainians aren’t winning, and we’re at a bit of a stalemate here.” So, where is… Read More ›
China – Autocracy and decoupling technical tests
We have noticed that the embrace with China had become suffocating in the last twenty years. The West universe of consumers and China the factory of the world. We started with modest and low value-added materials and products, to refine… Read More ›
How Russia-Ukraine copied Finland war without lessons
Finland is a unique country with a distinct language and culture. However, its possession was always contested between Sweden and Russia. Though Finland mainly remained under Swedish control in 1809, it was annexed by Russia. Using the end of World… Read More ›
Ukraine: One Chessboard, One Master
The United States left Afghanistan on 30 August 2021. Most people thought that the USA was running away. However, they were leaving Afghanistan in a planned manner, only for an untrained eye it looked like the US was running away…. Read More ›
China is Russia’s most powerful weapon for disinformation warfare
Russian propaganda about the war in Ukraine cratered last month after Russian state news channels were blocked in Europe and restricted globally. But in recent weeks, China has emerged as a potent outlet for Kremlin disinformation, researchers say, portraying Ukraine… Read More ›
Who is rocking Imran Khan’s boat?
Almost two years ago, I had written the highly successful but controversial article — “Is Pakistan Heading For Another Dictatorship.” Many people, including Pakistanis, objected to the articles’ findings, stating that in modern-day Pakistan, there is no place for a… Read More ›
The worse things go for Putin in Ukraine, the more China will back him
China has tried to have it both ways since Russia invaded Ukraine a month ago. It abstained from key votes at the United Nations criticizing Russia’s actions, avoided directly labeling President Vladimir Putin’s assault on Ukraine an “invasion,” amplified Russian… Read More ›
Wang Yi in India: Is India ready for a reset
“A man’s true character comes out when he’s drunk, and Xi is drunk on power” ~ Insightful Geopolitics Chinese foreign minister and State Councilor Wang Yi was to visit Nepal from 25-27 March 2022. He is also likely to visit Bhutan… Read More ›
Ukraine conflict and India’s hard choices
On 24th January 2022, I assessed and tweeted from my account (@InsightGL) that Russia will invade Ukraine after 20th February, the closing day of the disastrous Beijing Winter Olympics. Unfortunately, my predictions came true, and activities started on 21st February. The invasion of Ukraine is… Read More ›
The “Fondaco” of business and commerce
There was a place in Venice called the Fondaco dei Turchi where one traded with the enemies. While the Serenissima and the Ottoman Empire were fighting on the seas, business continued in the Santa Croce district. Death and trade were… Read More ›
Pax Mercatoria and illiberal political systems: Russia and China
The concept of marker pax mercatoria is defined by political scientist Jim Chen, a professor at Michigan State University, who claims that the market and globalization can produce system stability: “In the public sphere, pax mercatoria represents the peace dividend… Read More ›
Vladimir Putin: What’s cooking between his two ears
President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin gave an important speech on 21 February 2022. He gave his version of long historical evidence of the nonexistence of Ukraine. But his last few words gave away his game plan in Ukraine,… Read More ›
Should India be worried about Russia-China bonhomie ?
Many analysts in the neighborhood of China show anxiety over the Russia-China bonhomie. Their concerns are valid, but the reasons are not. All these countries need not worry but rather be vigilant so that the fast-changing geopolitical vista doesn’t spring… Read More ›
America must prepare for war with both Russia and China
As Russia threatens the largest land invasion in Europe since World War II, the most consequential strategic question of the 21st century is becoming clear: How can the United States manage two revisionist, autocratic, nuclear-armed great powers (Russia and China)… Read More ›
Dancing cheek to cheek… the new chapter of Sino-Russian relations
Sino-Russian relations have never been as good as in recent weeks. The Chinese silence on the Ukrainian quarrel has played a good role in the diplomacy of the Kremlin. In the background, the Beijing Olympics and Putin’s interview with the… Read More ›
The Ukrainian bluff. How the Atlantic West yielded Russian gas to China
A new chapter and friction between the blocks in the conflict over energy. On the one hand China and its dependence on coal, on the other, the west and its stormy relations with Russia on the western borders. With Russian… Read More ›
China’s invasion of Taiwan – an opportunity for India
Today China has over 350 ships and submarines (130 major surface components), numerically making it the largest Navy globally. These extraordinary Chinese naval expansions are not there to recreate the 15th century goodwill voyages of Admiral Zheng He. China has bigger ambitions,… Read More ›
India’s offensive against China should be in the grey zone
Grey zone is not a fixed concept but a hypothetical place between peace and war. While I was writing this article, a never heard of development was taking place in the Indian state of Punjab. The Indian Prime Minister was… Read More ›
Is China ready to host the Winter Olympics?
Chinese officials have promised that the 2022 Winter Olympics — to be held Feb. 4 to 20 and followed by the Paralympics March 4-13 — will be a “safe, streamlined and splendid” global event. But that won’t be easy. With… Read More ›
When India goes to war with China
It is an open secret that China challenges everything India sets its eyes on, be it cooperation with Quad partners (the United States, Australia, Japan), international organizations like United Nations, WHO, or designating a terrorist organization. India, a Quad member… Read More ›
China Reacting to Evergrande’s imminent collapse – economy weaker than being reported
China is now reacting to the failure of real estate developer Evergrande, with $310 Billion in debt. The AP reported: China’s central bank expanded the supply of money for lending Monday as Beijing tried to reassure its public and investors… Read More ›
China’s birthrate just hit another record low, but the worst is yet to come
China’s birthrate in 2020 has hit another record low — and there’s no indication things are about to pick up anytime soon. There were only 8.5 births per 1,000 people in China last year, according to the latest yearbook released… Read More ›
How China is trying to turn the U.S. against itself
As Congress advances a set of bills to protect against Beijing’s efforts to subvert American democracy, China is using our system of government to block and tackle. On November 12, Reuters reported that Chinese officials have been pressuring American companies,… Read More ›
The Chinese Communist Party still thinks it owns the future
A rising chorus of analysts now describe China as a “peaking power”—one that might take greater risks to revise the international order before its strategic window of opportunity closes. They cite the country’s aging population , slowing economy , and hostile external environment… Read More ›
Xi Jinping’s Terrifying New China
China’s social media was briefly aflutter this fall about an impressive feat in the popular online fantasy game Honor of Kings. A player had completed a “pentakill,” or five kills in a row, but something just smelled wrong: The user… Read More ›
China is closing to the world, and it isn’t just about borders
It’s been nearly two years since China shut its international borders as part of its efforts to keep Covid-19 out. China tamed the initial outbreak in Wuhan by locking down the city of more than 10 million people, confining residents… Read More ›
Australia shows the world what decoupling from China looks like
China’s attempt to bully Australia has been a spectacular failure. When Australia had the temerity to call for an independent inquiry into the origins of COVID-19 last year, China was incensed. It responded with an unprecedented wave of trade restrictions… Read More ›
Green & war economy – a reasoned reading
The China Daily announces that China is the country in the world that has the greatest sensitivity to the protection of bio diversity. At the same time, the crisis in the cost of natural gas forces China to increase the… Read More ›
Strike China and Save the World: Part 2 – Manufacturing Reality
Just imagine a video of Chinese authorities brutally assaulting and arresting Chinese citizens who have a credit rating below certain criteria, appearing on Sina Weibo. In no time this video would be viral on WeChat, DouBan, YouKu, and several other… Read More ›
What Does China’s New Land Borders Law Mean for Its Neighbours?
China has a new tool to wield during any future flareups along its borders with foreign entities, whether those be the Indian government, Afghan refugees or Myanmar rebel groups. Announced on October 23, the new Land Borders Law authorizes the… Read More ›
Xi Is Running Out of Time: China’s Economy Heads for a Hard Landing
How worried should observers be about China’s economy? As recently as midsummer, that seemed like an academic question geared to the long term. In recent months, observers who were already concerned were further dismayed whenever Beijing moved to reel in… Read More ›
China has started making the same mistakes as the Soviets
It’s boom time for historical analogies in America’s China policy. Beijing’s test of an orbital weapon has been compared to a “Sputnik moment” by Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley among others. Analysts, including me, have argued about whether the U.S. and China… Read More ›
Could China’s economy collapse?
For almost half a century, Chinese officials have overseen one of the greatest economic transformations in human history. The country has gone from collectivized farms and famine to world-leading tech companies and gleaming megacities connected by superfast trains. More than… Read More ›
China’s economic crisis is much bigger than expected – its property market, the largest in the world, is collapsing
The situation in China is much worse than originally thought. The largest property market in the world is set to collapse and the ramifications will impact the entire world. We’ve been discussing China’s economic issues for years. Recently this was… Read More ›
The reason for the discussion on the Tobin tax in China
Tax every major financial transaction for social equity by a fraction and allocate the funds to redistribution initiatives. The Tobin tax is the shattered dream of the anti-globalist left, even if its history is slightly more complex. Formulated in 1972… Read More ›
Is another Cultural Revolution underway in China?
Chinese President Xi Jinping is cracking down on several sectors of Chinese society, including technology and entertainment. This has some Beijing watchers worried a new version of Chairman Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution is underway. Here’s everything you need to know…. Read More ›
Instead of confronting China’s rise, we must manage its decline
Nations, like people, have reputations, and in both cases there can be gaps between the rep and the reality. China is known as the sage of nations, strategically patient, thinking in terms of centuries while the West flits about like… Read More ›
Tumbling Evergrande, caged tech giants: China much desperate, more dangerous
An ancient Chinese stratagem advises military leaders: “Loot a burning house.” The trick is easy and self-explanatory — attack when your opponent is most vulnerable. China has given, this and many other hideous ancient wisdom, paramount importance in the quest for… Read More ›
The end of China’s rise
The prevailing consensus, in Washington and overseas, is that China is surging past the United States. “If we don’t get moving,” President Joe Biden has said, “they’re going to eat our lunch.” Countries everywhere are preparing, in the words of… Read More ›
China’s Xi Jinping a danger to American business
China’s rapid changes will impact many American businesses. Companies in the states import many products from China, and China is the third-largest market for U.S. exports. Financial investments also flow in both directions between the two countries. Changes in the… Read More ›
Business groups are divided as China seeks self-reliance
China’s push for self-sufficiency in a wide range of industries is dividing foreign companies, with some welcoming it as another chance to invest there while others worry that it will cause risks to the country’s trading partners and its own… Read More ›
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