China – think tanks monitor

Editorial illustration of a giant boot stepping down onto a conference podium amid flying papers, smoke, and fighter jets.

World Order Is Shifting Beyond American Primacy

August 20, 2026

The international system is entering a transitional era where American power remains immense but is no longer capable of single-handedly organizing global behavior. Rather than a clean transition to a new unipolar leadership, governments are combining traditional alliances with regional trade agreements, industrial policies, and strategic supply controls. Discover how middle powers are navigating this fragmented world by building diverse relationships and independent economic resilience.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Donald Trump walking down a red carpet past a military honor guard.

US Munition Shortages Complicate Taiwan Deterrence

August 20, 2026

Ongoing military demands across Europe and the Middle East have severely depleted American missile and interceptor stockpiles, raising new questions for deterrence in the Taiwan Strait. While this temporary vulnerability does not give Beijing an invasion timetable, it risks intensifying Chinese military pressure. Discover why restoring long-term stability requires both rebuilding US defense inventories and accelerating Taiwan’s own resilience.

Illustrated image of cargo ships and heavy rocks being squeezed through a blue funnel held by a suited hand.

Chokepoints Are Becoming the New Currency of Global Power

August 20, 2026

Global power is no longer measured solely by armies or economies. Control over critical infrastructure—from shipping lanes and rare minerals to satellite networks—has become the ultimate currency of geopolitical leverage. As private corporations and single nations hold the keys to essential systems, nations face a growing risk of concentrated authority. Discover how nations are navigating these new vulnerabilities and why reducing dependency is essential for future resilience.

Donald Trump shaking hands with Xi Jinping.

Trump’s Taiwan Arms Gamble Is Rattling the Indo-Pacific

July 15, 2026

Senator Tammy Duckworth’s arrival in Taipei marks a critical response to recent shifts in U.S. policy. As Trump casts doubt on long-standing arms commitments, Duckworth is reframing Taiwan’s autonomy as a vital economic and strategic necessity, emphasizing its role in the global semiconductor supply chain to secure lasting bipartisan support.

Political cartoon showing Uncle Sam holding a broken umbrella labeled US-India Cooperation while holding a club labeled Tariffs, facing an angry elephant representing India.

India’s Delicate Dance Between Washington and Beijing

July 11, 2026

As global dynamics shift, India is rebalancing its foreign policy by thawing relations with China while expressing caution over American unpredictability. By prioritizing strategic autonomy over zero-sum alliances, New Delhi is navigating an increasingly fractured world order to protect its national interests and strengthen ties with the Global South.

A US official and an Indian official shaking hands at a podium.

India Is Done Being Washington’s Junior Partner

July 5, 2026

Following a challenging year marked by tariff disputes and shifting geopolitical priorities, Washington and New Delhi are moving to repair their strategic partnership. With a final trade agreement now near completion, both nations are reaffirming their commitment to deep economic and security cooperation.

Indian and Chinese officials sit across from each other at a long conference table.

India and China’s Fragile Thaw: Engagement Without Trust

July 4, 2026

Despite a cautious thaw in diplomacy, India-China relations remain defined by strategic mistrust. While both nations have resumed engagement to manage economic and border issues, significant challenges—including a massive trade imbalance and stalled de-escalation—persist, leaving the future of their fragile partnership uncertain.

A close-up view of a high-performance NVIDIA computer chip mounted on a complex blue circuit board.

America’s Chip War Is Misfiring and Beijing Is Taking Notes

June 30, 2026

US export controls aimed at freezing China’s semiconductor progress have backfired. Instead of containment, these measures have spurred Beijing to aggressively scale domestic production. As the global tech landscape bifurcates, policymakers must now decide if current restrictions are protecting national security or simply eroding the revenue needed for American innovation.

An illustration of the planet Earth wrapped in red bands featuring the yellow stars of the Chinese flag.

China Wants to Run the World Order, Without Paying for It

June 28, 2026

China’s recent 45-page white paper, “More Just and Equitable Global Governance: China’s Principles, Proposals and Actions,” marks a significant shift in Beijing’s diplomatic strategy. Rather than seeking to overthrow existing institutions, the document proposes reforming them to grant greater influence to the Global South and prioritize multipolarity. By positioning itself as a defender of the UN-centered order, China is attempting to fill the rhetorical vacuum left by Washington’s selective disengagement. However, the white paper remains notably silent on major new financial commitments, raising questions about whether China is prepared to bear the material costs of the global order it aims to architect. This analysis examines China’s efforts to project normative power and the structural tensions between its rising global ambitions and domestic economic constraints.

Donald Trump speaking at a podium while displaying a chart titled "Reciprocal Tariffs."

Trump’s New Tariffs Hit Asia at the Worst Possible Moment

June 26, 2026

This analysis explores the economic fallout of the Trump administration’s latest tariff strategy following the Supreme Court’s rejection of previous measures. By invoking Section 301 investigations against 60 economies, Washington is reshaping its trade policy amid an already volatile global environment. This post details the compounding impact on Asian markets, which are currently grappling with currency depreciation, high oil prices, and the broader consequences of the recent US-Iran conflict. We examine how these broad-based tariffs create significant compliance uncertainty for global supply chains, strain relationships with key allies, and threaten to increase costs for American households. Ultimately, the article questions the effectiveness of this aggressive trade posture, noting that previous efforts failed to substantively alter industrial policies while creating persistent economic instability.

A large cargo ship featuring the Chinese flag sailing on the open sea.

China Wins the Iran War Without Fighting It

June 19, 2026

This analysis explores how China leveraged years of patient diplomacy and infrastructure investment to emerge as the primary strategic winner of the Iran conflict. By maintaining neutrality and deep commercial ties across the Gulf, Beijing has secured its energy future while avoiding the costs of military engagement, effectively redefining regional influence.

Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu stand together in formal attire.

The Stalemate Washington Thinks It’s Winning — But Isn’t

June 15, 2026

This analysis deconstructs the current U.S.-China diplomatic stalemate, arguing that Washington’s reliance on superficial deal-making and optics masks a deepening structural imbalance. While the U.S. remains distracted by regional conflicts in the Middle East, China is leveraging its rare-earth export controls, record trade surpluses, and expanded manufacturing dominance to consolidate power. The piece warns that by misinterpreting this managed paralysis as a victory for strategic stability, American policy is inadvertently allowing China to solidify long-term gains that will prove increasingly difficult to reverse.

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Category: China

World Order Is Shifting Beyond American Primacy

US Munition Shortages Complicate Taiwan Deterrence

Chokepoints Are Becoming the New Currency of Global Power

Trump’s Taiwan Arms Gamble Is Rattling the Indo-Pacific

India’s Delicate Dance Between Washington and Beijing

India Is Done Being Washington’s Junior Partner

India and China’s Fragile Thaw: Engagement Without Trust

America’s Chip War Is Misfiring and Beijing Is Taking Notes

China Wants to Run the World Order, Without Paying for It

Trump’s New Tariffs Hit Asia at the Worst Possible Moment

China Wins the Iran War Without Fighting It

The Stalemate Washington Thinks It’s Winning — But Isn’t

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