A Brief History of US-China Rare Earth Rivalry
Recounting how Washington went from world leader in rare earth element production to struggling to play catch-up with Beijing.
Second Thomas Shoal Emerges as South China Sea Flashpoint
A paradigm shift is unfolding at the Second Thomas Shoal, one where Washington is now taking a much more assertive approach in safeguarding its ally’s territorial rights in the South China Sea.
Assessing China’s Claims in the South China Sea and East China Sea
China's appetite for territories in the South China Sea and the East China Sea stems from nationalistic beliefs, material gains, and national security. Empires have waged wars for much less.
Bitcoin and Global Hegemony
Will cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin renew US hegemony or hasten the process of de-dollarization?
China’s Win-Win in Zimbabwe: Lithium for Regime Legitimacy
China is shoring up its lithium supply chains in Zimbabwe, and the increasingly repressive Mnangagwa regime is happy to play ball.
Weak China as a Threat to World Security
Those seeing a slowdown in China should bear in mind the words of Masataka Kosaka: “wickedness comes from weakness.”
Uzbekistan in Focus as France Pivots toward Central Asia
Recent moves by France in Central Asia aim to balance regional power dynamics, diversify energy sources, and ensure a stable supply of critical minerals for sustainable technological development.
Belt and Road at 10: A Paradigm Shift in Development Finance?
Part one in a series commemorating the 10-year anniversary of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, this article examines the original goals underpinning Xi Jinping’s landmark foreign policy.
South China Sea: U.S. Must Draw a Line on China’s “Grey Zone” Threats
The U.S. cannot afford to be blindsided by any future incidents and dangers posed by China’s maritime ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Other $400 Billion: Blurred Lines in China’s Military Budget
Examining the reasons behind Beijing’s real and imagined defense budgets.