Podcasts about Beijing

To understand the significance of the sweeping military purges in China and how Beijing is reacting to America's war with Iran, I'm sitting down with eminent China scholar Robert Suettinger, a former CIA and State Department intelligence analyst, a senior advisor at The Stimson Center, and author of “The Conscience of the Party: Hu Yaobang, China's Communist Reformer.”“There's no question of the fact that Xi Jinping is now less of a dominant leader than he was six or eight months ago,” Suettinger says.Earlier this year, Xi purged two top generals from the CCP's military brass, on the heels of earlier purges last year. Now, only two of the originally seven members of the Central Military Commission remain. One of them is Xi himself; the other one, General Zhang Shengmin, is a political commander and has, like Xi, no combat experience.After the January purges, Xi issued an order to the military demanding that everyone acknowledge him as the head of the military commission. “The silence from all those military commands has been deafening and has been noticed by everybody,” Suettinger says.In the Chinese Communist Party itself, Xi is also facing trouble.The CCP is not a monolithic party, he told me, but a complex entity with many competing factions: “There's a Shanghai group, there's a Shandong group, there's a Shaanxi group, and they all don't like each other,” Suettinger says.Suettinger believes that Xi's many purges have unified opposition against him not only in the military but also within the Communist Party. “Xi is hated by almost everybody in China,” he said.Another reason the cracks in the system, as he put it, are beginning to be more evident, is that the Chinese economy hasn't been doing well in many years: “The Chinese people are very unhappy that their wealth opportunities are disappearing. Graduates coming out of colleges are not able to find good jobs. People who have good jobs are losing them. People who are operating in the gig economy are losing their jobs. The farmers don't have anything to do when they go back home.”People outside of China don't usually know how poor vast numbers of Chinese citizens still are, Suettinger told me. China's Premier Li Keqiang himself stated in May 2020 during a press conference that 600 million people live below the poverty line and don't even earn enough to rent a room in mid-sized Chinese cities.Where is China's totalitarian system headed? The system, Suettinger argued, is way more fragile than it looks. “It is brittle, and when it breaks, it tends to break hard, and it tends to melt in ways that are not predictable,” he said.Notably, the CCP has not come out to meaningfully support its longtime ally, Iran. The CCP has long utilized Iran to distract America and keep its focus on the Middle East, Suettinger says, but now, to Beijing's chagrin, America is effectively neutralizing this longtime CCP proxy.Views expressed in this video are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Global financial giant UBS has downgraded U.S. stocks, as markets stumble into one of their worst starts in decades. Is this a routine reset or a warning shot? Where is capital moving now? Are emerging markets the real story? And with geopolitics heating up and the Fed in play, is this a short-term wobble or the start of a structural shift in global capital? Host Tu Yun joins Warwick Powell, Adjunct Professor, Queensland University of Technology, Australia, Li Lun, Assistant Professor of Economics, Peking University, and Chen Jiahe, the Chief Investment Officer of the Beijing-based Novem Arcae Technologies for a close look.

L'organe législatif national chinois tient la réunion de clôture de sa session annuelle;Le nouveau train à grande vitesse chinois finira son évaluation opérationnelle en 2026;Reprise du service ferroviaire Beijing-Pyongyang jeudi;Le chemin de fer Chine-Laos transporte plus de 18 millions de tonnes de marchandises ;La Chine interdit officiellement les poignées de porte de voiture « affleurantes »;La Chine ajoutera des normes d'introduction en bourse « plus ciblées » pour le marché ChiNext;Le 2ème semi-marathon des robots humanoïdes se tiendra à Beijing ;Le secteur clé de l'IA évalué à 1.200 milliards de yuans en 2025 ;La Chine met en garde contre les risques de sécurité liés à OpenClaw;RedNote renforce sa gouvernance contre les comptes gérés par l'IA;L'aéroport international Pudong de Shanghai nommé un des meilleurs aéroports du monde

SHOW SCHEDULE 3-11-20261906 SF ON FIRE AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE.1. SEG 1: Gordon Chang and Peter Huessy discuss China's petroleum reserves and rising fuel prices. They analyze the potential for nuclear escalation and Iran's efforts to disrupt global trade through the Strait of Hormuz. (1)2. SEG 2: Rebecca Grant and Gordon Chang analyze the US Navy's carrier shortage. The USS Nimitz remains active for Latin American exercises while the USS Gerald R. Ford faces a prolonged 11-month combat deployment. (2)3. SEG 3: Alan Tonelson and Gordon Chang discuss China's failure to stop fentanyl precursor exports. They evaluate tariffs as non-military tools to pressure nations while addressing war-related shortages in fertilizer and electronics components. (3)4. SEG 4: Bill Roggio details the tragic US missile strike on an Iranian girl's school. He argues that while air strikes destroy military assets, air power alone cannot achieve regime change or ensure final victory. (4)5. SEG 5: Jack Burnham analyzes China's "lukewarm" support for Iran and its focus on energy security. Beijing is learning lessons from Western precision strikes while continuing internal repression of ethnic minorities through forced labor. (5)6. SEG 6: Jack Burnham reports on the DOJ dropping charges against Chinese scientists accused of smuggling biological samples. This reversal, involving the Chinese consulate, may be linked to upcoming trade negotiations or prosecutorial challenges. (6)7. SEG 7: Kevin Fraser warns that state legislatures are rushing to regulate AI with potentially unconstitutional laws. He advocates for market-driven transparency and allowing consumers to choose models based on their specific needs and preferences. (7)8. SEG 8: Kevin Fraser explores distinctions between AI models like Grok and Claude. He highlights regulatory "sandboxes" in states like Utah and Montana that foster innovation while monitoring for potential technological harms and ensuring transparency. (8)9. SEG 9: Michael Bernstam explains how the American shale revolution mitigates global energy shocks. He warns central banks against fueling inflation and emphasizes that while global supply chains are vulnerable, US production provides a critical buffer. (9)10. SEG 10: Michael Bernstam discusses how rising oil prices bolster Russia's budget. However, the Russian economy faces contraction and "military Keynesianism," while the United States remains a resilient net energy exporter despite global supply chain disruptions. (10)11. SEG 11: Ivana Stradner examines the Kremlin's information warfare campaign to keep Viktor Orbán in power. Orbán, formerly an anti-Soviet activist, now aligns with Putin to ensure political survival and counter Western democratic decision-making processes. (11)12. SEG 12: Ivana Stradner outlines strategies to counter Russian influence in Hungary, including exposing Orbán's corruption and ties to China. She argues that information is a potent, invisible weapon used to polarize and weaken the West. (12)13. SEG 13: Simon Constable reports on skyrocketing European energy prices due to Middle East conflict. Shortages in sulfur and bromine threaten global semiconductor manufacturing and food security as fertilizer costs nearly double for struggling farmers. (13)14. SEG 14: Simon Constable critiques Prime Minister Keir Starmer's hesitant leadership. He notes the Royal Navy has been "hollowed out" over three decades, leaving Britain with fewer warships than France and a tiny, underfunded standing army. (14)15. SEG 15: Bob Zimmerman discusses the Senate's shift toward private space exploration, potentially ending the SLS program. NASA is increasingly contracting commercial entities for lunar habitats, reusable rockets, and specialized satellite launch capabilities to reduce costs. (15)16. SEG 16: Bob Zimmerman reviews the DART mission's success in altering an asteroid's orbit. He also reports that the European Space Agency lost contact with a solar probe after its batteries drained due to misaligned solar panels. (16)

On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with the frenzy surrounding OpenClaw in China, including Beijing's response, security concerns, liability questions, an object lesson in the Chinese market, and why Tencent looks like a potential winner as regulatory issues are sorted in the months to come. From there: Reports that Beijing is unhappy with the limited preparation in advance of Trump's visit to China, news that pieces of the THAAD system have been relocated from South Korea to the Middle East, Trump's promised gift to China at the Strait of Hormuz, and fentanyl tension as March 31st looms. At the end: Reactions to the Two Sessions, why the “Iron Rooster” budgeting approach is consistent with the past few years of planning, missing PLA generals, and Sharp China Sports news as BYD mulls an entry to F1 and Lewis Hamilton tours China.

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: Iran's leadership may survive the current war, but the balance of power inside Tehran could be shifting. We take a closer look at how the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps may be using this moment to tighten its grip on the regime—potentially accelerating a long-running evolution toward an IRGC-dominated state. French President Emmanuel Macron orders a major naval deployment to the Middle East, sending ten warships to the region to reinforce France's presence and potentially escort commercial shipping through the increasingly tense Strait of Hormuz. China unexpectedly suspends its daily military flights near Taiwan, leaving the skies around the island strangely quiet and raising new questions about what Beijing may be planning next. In today's Back of the Brief — investigators uncover new evidence in the attempted bombing during a New York City protest, as the FBI searches a Pennsylvania storage unit tied to what authorities say was an ISIS-inspired plot. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief HomeServe: Protect your home systems from costly repairs with HomeServe—plans start at $4.99/month at https://HomeServe.com.  Cardiff: Get fast business funding without bank delays—apply in minutes with Cardiff and access up to $500,000 in same‑day funding at https://Cardiff.co/PDB  StopBox: Get firearm security redesigned and save 10% off @StopBoxUSA with code PDB10 at https://stopboxusa.com/PDB10#stopboxpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After oil prices climbed to nearly $120 a barrel yesterday, Donald Trump signalled a possible abrupt end to the conflict in Iran. Markets calmed, but the course of the war remains unclear. Why China's government has said little about Iran. And how a hippy grocery store became America's swankiest supermarket.Guests and host:Edward Carr, deputy editor of “The Economist”Simon Rabinovitch, Beijing bureau chiefAvantika Chilkoti, global business correspondent Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Iran, Donald Trump, Brent Crude, financial markets, Asia, oil shockChinese foreign policy, Wang YiErewhon, food prices, supermarketsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

C1. Guests: Bill Roggio and Ambassador Husain Haqqani Headline: Global Markets Shudder as Oil Surges Past $100 Summary: War in the Middle East has triggered a damaging global economic surge, with oil exceeding $100 per barrel. Panelists discuss Iran's resilient regime and the appointment of late leader's son, Mojtaba Khamenei. (2)2. Guests: Bill Roggio and Husain Haqqani Headline: The Myth of Winning Through Air Power Alone Summary: Experts warn that air power cannot achieve lasting regime change and dismiss "boots on the ground" as politically impossible. They emphasize that Iran has historically resisted Western invaders for 2,000 years. (3)3. Guests: Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa Headline: A "New Dawn" as Cuba Negotiates with the White House Summary: Shifting dynamics in Latin America see Cuba entering direct negotiations with the Trump administration as Venezuelan oil subsidies end. The region's turn toward right-wing governments signals a major geopolitical transformation. (4)4. Guests: Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa Headline: Brazil's Election and the "Shield of the Americas" Summary: The panel analyzes Brazil's upcoming election where Flavio Bolsonaro is gaining ground against President Lula. They discuss how regional anti-crime initiatives and the war in Iran are influencing South American politics. (5)5. Guest: Malcolm Hoenlein Headline: Iran Launches Cluster Bombs Against Israeli Civilians Summary: Malcolm Hoenlein reports on Iran's use of cluster-bomb warheads against Israeli cities like Haifa. Despite the attacks and financial burdens, 93% of Israelis support the effort to end regional threats permanently. (6)6. Guest: Malcolm Hoenlein Headline: Regional Escalation and the Targeting of Energy Infrastructure Summary: Israel expands operations into Lebanon while Iran targets Azerbaijan's critical energy pipelines. China watches closely as its Middle Eastern oil supplies are threatened by the closing of the Strait of Hormuz. (7)7. Guests: Bill Roggio and David Daoud Headline: Hezbollah's Strategy to Protect the Iranian Regime Summary: David Daoud examines how Hezbollah's attacks aim to divert U.S. and Israeli focus from Tehran. The IDF responds by dismantling Hezbollah's financial institutions and propaganda networks to break their control over Lebanon. (8)8. Guests: Bill Roggio and David Daoud Headline: Psychological Warfare and the Threat of Drone Swarms Summary: Discussion centers on Hezbollah's use of inexpensive drone swarms and "pin pricks" to destabilize the Israeli psyche. Daoud explains these tactics aim to exhaust Israel's economy by making defense financially unsustainable. (9)9. Guests: Bill Roggio and Jonathan Sayeh Headline: Internal Resistance and the Mindset of Young Iranians Summary: Jonathan Sayeh provides insight into young Iranians who view the conflict as liberation from a 50-year occupation. However, he warns that destroying critical infrastructure risks alienating the population and damaging nationalism. (10)10. Guests: Bill Roggio and Jonathan Sayeh Headline: Monitoring the Fog of War in Tehran Summary: Analysts examine Tehran's internal state, noting that foot soldiers are becoming increasingly alienated. They monitor the Basij and regular military for signs of defection while the regime anticipates a ground invasion. (11)11. Guests: Bill Roggio and Edmund Fitton-Brown Headline: Iran's "Nihilistic" Attacks on Neutral Neighbors Summary: Iran has launched self-destructive missile attacks against neutral neighbors like Qatar, Oman, and Turkey. The panel critiques British indecisiveness and the lack of clearly articulated American war objectives. (12)12. Guests: Bill Roggio and Edmund Fitton-Brown Headline: The Question of Regime Change and "Boots on the Ground" Summary: Experts debate if the Trump administration seeks permanent regime change. They discuss the risks of mission creep and the extreme difficulty of empowering internal Iranian insurgencies without a clear roadmap. (13)13. Guests: Bill Roggio and John Hardy Headline: Zelensky Offers Drone Expertise to Counter Iran Summary: President Zelensky offers Ukrainian assistance to counter Iranian drones using battle-tested technology. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin pledges unwavering support for Iran's new leadership as the conflict increasingly impacts the global stage. (14)14. Guest: Jessica Winkle Headline: Bias and Conflict of Interest in Climate Science Manuals Summary: Professor Jessica Winkle details controversy surrounding the federal judicial manual's climate chapter. She highlights significant conflicts of interest and the use of biased, non-neutral rhetoric intended for judges. (15)15. Guest: Gregory Copley Headline: Assessing the Air War and Global Oil Panic Summary: Gregory Copley evaluates the U.S.-Israeli air campaign against Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure. He notes the potential for the Iranian monarchy's return to rally opposition against the clerical regime. (16)16. Guest: Gregory Copley Headline: Russia and China's Strategic Stakes in the Iran Conflict Summary: The conversation examines how the war impacts Russia's trade corridors and China's primary oil supplies. Copley argues that U.S. air dominance serves as a profound warning to the leadership in Beijing. (17)

After oil prices climbed to nearly $120 a barrel yesterday, Donald Trump signalled a possible abrupt end to the conflict in Iran. Markets calmed, but the course of the war remains unclear. Why China's government has said little about Iran. And how a hippy grocery store became America's swankiest supermarket.Guests and host:Edward Carr, deputy editor of “The Economist”Simon Rabinovitch, Beijing bureau chiefAvantika Chilkoti, global business correspondent Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Iran, Donald Trump, Brent Crude, financial markets, Asia, oil shockChinese foreign policy, Wang YiErewhon, food prices, supermarketsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After years of cautious spying, Larry Wu-Tai Chin is about to hit the jackpot. He's getting a promotion that will give him the inside track on President Richard Nixon's plan to reset relations with China. But in Beijing, trouble's brewing for Mao's undercover agent.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

16. Guest: Gregory Copley Headline:Russia and China's Strategic Stakes in the Iran Conflict Summary: The conversation examines how the war impacts Russia's trade corridors and China's primary oil supplies. Copley argues that U.S. air dominance serves as a profound warning to the leadership in Beijing. (17)1963 MOHAMMED REZA PAHLEVI SHAH

Last time we spoke about the end of the battle of khalkin gol. In the summer of 1939, the Nomonhan Incident escalated into a major border conflict between Soviet-Mongolian forces and Japan's Kwantung Army along the Halha River. Despite Japanese successes in July, Zhukov launched a decisive offensive on August 20. Under cover of darkness, Soviet troops crossed the river, unleashing over 200 bombers and intense artillery barrages that devastated Japanese positions. Zhukov's northern, central, and southern forces encircled General Komatsubara's 23rd Division, supported by Manchukuoan units. Fierce fighting ensued: the southern flank collapsed under Colonel Potapov's armor, while the northern Fui Heights held briefly before falling to relentless assaults, including flame-throwing tanks. Failed Japanese counterattacks on August 24 resulted in heavy losses, with regiments shattered by superior Soviet firepower and tactics. By August 25, encircled pockets were systematically eliminated, leading to the annihilation of the Japanese 6th Army. The defeat, coinciding with the Hitler-Stalin Pact, forced Japan to negotiate a ceasefire on September 15-16, redrawing borders. Zhukov's victory exposed Japanese weaknesses in mechanized warfare, influencing future strategies and deterring further northern expansion.   #192 The Soviet–Japanese Neutrality Pact Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. Despite the fact this technically will go into future events, I thought it was important we talk about a key moment in Sino history. Even though the battle of changkufeng and khalkin gol were not part of the second sino-Japanese war, their outcomes certainly would affect it.  Policymaking by the Soviet Union alone was not the primary factor in ending Moscow's diplomatic isolation in the late 1930s. After the Munich Conference signaled the failure of the popular front/united front approach, Neville Chamberlain, Adolf Hitler, and Poland's Józef Beck unintentionally strengthened Joseph Stalin's position in early 1939. Once the strategic cards were in his hands, Stalin capitalized on them. His handling of negotiations with Britain and France, as well as with Germany, from April to August was deft and effective. The spring and summer negotiations among the European powers are well documented and have been examined from many angles. In May 1939, while Stalin seemed to have the upper hand in Europe, yet before Hitler had signaled that a German–Soviet agreement might be possible, the Nomonhan incident erupted, a conflict initiated and escalated by the Kwantung Army. For a few months, the prospect of a Soviet–Japanese war revived concerns in Moscow about a two-front conflict. Reviewing Soviet talks with Britain, France, and Germany in the spring and summer of 1939 from an East Asian perspective sheds fresh light on the events that led to the German–Soviet Nonaggression Pact and, more broadly, to the outbreak of World War II. The second week of May marked the start of fighting at Nomonhan, during which negotiations between Germany and the USSR barely advanced beyond mutual scrutiny. Moscow signaled that an understanding with Nazi Germany might be possible. Notably, on May 4, the removal of Maksim Litvinov as foreign commissar and his replacement by Vyacheslav Molotov suggested a shift in approach. Litvinov, an urbane diplomat of Jewish origin and married to an Englishwoman, had been the leading Soviet proponent of the united-front policy and a steadfast critic of Nazi Germany. If a settlement with Hitler was sought, Litvinov was an unsuitable figure to lead the effort. Molotov, though with limited international experience, carried weight as chairman of the Council of Ministers and, more importantly, as one of Stalin's closest lieutenants. This personnel change seemed to accomplish its aim in Berlin, where the press was instructed on May 5 to halt polemical attacks on the Soviet Union and Bolshevism. On the same day, Karl Schnurre, head of the German Foreign Ministry's East European trade section, told Soviet chargé d'affaires Georgi Astakhov that Skoda, the German-controlled Czech arms manufacturer, would honor existing arms contracts with Russia. Astakhov asked whether, with Litvinov's departure, Germany might resume negotiations for a trade treaty Berlin had halted months earlier. By May 17, during discussions with Schnurre, Astakhov asserted that "there were no conflicts in foreign policy between Germany and the Soviet Union and that there was no reason for enmity between the two countries," and that Britain and France's negotiations appeared unpromising. The next day, Ribbentrop personally instructed Schulenburg to green-light trade talks. Molotov, however, insisted that a "political basis" for economic negotiations had to be established first. Suspicion remained high on both sides. Stalin feared Berlin might use reports of German–Soviet talks to destabilize a potential triple alliance with Britain and France; Hitler feared Stalin might use such reports to entice Tokyo away from an anti-German pact. The attempt to form a tripartite military alliance among Germany, Italy, and Japan foundered over divergent aims: Berlin targeted Britain and France; Tokyo aimed at the Soviet Union. Yet talks persisted through August 1939, with Japanese efforts to draw Germany into an anti-Soviet alignment continually reported to Moscow by Richard Sorge. Hitler and Mussolini, frustrated by Japanese objections, first concluded the bilateral Pact of Steel on May 22. The next day, Hitler, addressing his generals, stressed the inevitability of war with Poland and warned that opposition from Britain would be crushed militarily. He then hinted that Russia might "prove disinterested in the destruction of Poland," suggesting closer ties with Japan if Moscow opposed Germany. The exchange was quickly leaked to the press. Five days later, the first pitched battle of the Nomonhan campaign began. Although Hitler's timing with the Yamagata detachment's foray was coincidental, Moscow may have found the coincidence ominous. Despite the inducement of Molotov's call for a political basis before economic talks, Hitler and Ribbentrop did not immediately respond. On June 14, Astakhov signaled to Parvan Draganov, Bulgaria's ambassador in Berlin, that the USSR faced three options: ally with Britain and France, continue inconclusive talks with them, or align with Germany, the latter being closest to Soviet desires. Draganov relayed to the German Foreign Ministry that Moscow preferred a non-aggression agreement if Germany would pledge not to attack the Soviet Union. Two days later, Schulenburg told Astakhov that Germany recognized the link between economic and political relations and was prepared for far-reaching talks, a view echoed by Ribbentrop. The situation remained tangled: the Soviets pursued overt talks with Britain and France, while Stalin sought to maximize Soviet leverage. Chamberlain's stance toward Moscow remained wary but recognized a "psychological value" to an Anglo–Soviet rapprochement, tempered by his insistence on a hard bargain. American ambassador William C. Bullitt urged London to avoid the appearance of pursuing the Soviets, a view that resonated with Chamberlain's own distrust. Public confidence in a real Anglo–Soviet alliance remained low. By July 19, cabinet minutes show Chamberlain could not quite believe a genuine Russia–Germany alliance was possible, though he recognized the necessity of negotiations with Moscow to deter Hitler and to mollify an increasingly skeptical British public. Despite reservations, both sides kept the talks alive. Stalin's own bargaining style, with swift Soviet replies but frequent questions and demands, often produced delays. Molotov pressed on questions such as whether Britain and France would pledge to defend the Baltic states, intervene if Japan attacked the USSR, or join in opposing Germany if Hitler pressured Poland or Romania. These considerations were not trivial; they produced extended deliberations. On July 23, Molotov demanded that plans for coordinated military action among the three powers be fleshed out before a political pact. Britain and France accepted most political terms, and an Anglo-French military mission arrived in Moscow on August 11. The British commander, Admiral Sir Reginald Plunket-Ernle-Erle-Drax, conducted staff talks but could not conclude a military agreement. The French counterpart, General Joseph Doumenc, could sign but not bind his government. By then, Hitler had set August 26 as the date for war with Poland. With that looming, Hitler pressed for Soviet neutrality, or closer cooperation. In July and August, secret German–Soviet negotiations favored the Germans, who pressed for a rapid settlement and made most concessions. Yet Stalin benefited from keeping the British and French engaged, creating leverage against Hitler and safeguarding a potential Anglo–Soviet option as a fallback. To lengthen the talks and avoid immediate resolution, Moscow emphasized the Polish issue. Voroshilov demanded the Red Army be allowed to operate through Polish territory to defend Poland, a demand Warsaw would never accept. Moscow even floated a provocative plan: if Britain and France could compel Poland to permit Baltic State naval operations, the Western fleets would occupy Baltic ports, an idea that would have been militarily perilous and diplomatically explosive. Despite this, Stalin sought an agreement with Germany. Through Richard Sorge's intelligence, Moscow knew Tokyo aimed to avoid large-scale war with the USSR, and Moscow pressed for a German–Soviet settlement, including a nonaggression pact and measures to influence Japan to ease Sino–Japanese tensions. On August 16, Ribbentrop instructed Schulenburg to urge Molotov and Stalin toward a nonaggression pact and to coordinate with Japan. Stalin signaled willingness, and August 23–24 saw the drafting of the pact and the collapse of the Soviet and Japanese resistance elsewhere. That night, in a memorandum of Ribbentrop's staff, seven topics were summarized, with Soviet–Japanese relations and Molotov's insistence that Berlin demonstrate good faith standing out. Ribbentrop reiterated his willingness to influence Japan for a more favorable Soviet–Japanese relationship, and Stalin's reply indicated a path toward a détente in the East alongside the European agreement: "M. Stalin replied that the Soviet Union indeed desired an improvement in its relations with Japan, but that there were limits to its patience with regard to Japanese provocations. If Japan desired war she could have it. The Soviet Union was not afraid of it and was prepared for it. If Japan desired peace—so much the better! M. Stalin considered the assistance of Germany in bringing about an improvement in Soviet-Japanese relations as useful, but he did not want the Japanese to get the impression that the initiative in this direction had been taken by the Soviet Union."  Second, the assertion that the Soviet Union was prepared for and unafraid of war with Japan is an overstatement, though Stalin certainly had grounds for optimism regarding the battlefield situation and the broader East Asian strategic balance. It is notable that, despite the USSR's immediate diplomatic and military gains against Japan, Stalin remained anxious to conceal from Tokyo any peace initiative that originated in Moscow. That stance suggests that Tokyo or Hsinking might read such openness as a sign of Soviet weakness or confidence overextended. The Japanese danger, it would seem, did not disappear from Stalin's mind. Even at the height of his diplomatic coup, Stalin was determined not to burn bridges prematurely. On August 21, while he urged Hitler to send Ribbentrop to Moscow, he did not sever talks with Britain and France. Voroshilov requested a temporary postponement on the grounds that Soviet delegation officers were needed for autumn maneuvers. It was not until August 25, after Britain reiterated its resolve to stand by Poland despite the German–Soviet pact, that Stalin sent the Anglo–French military mission home. Fortified by the nonaggression pact, which he hoped would deter Britain and France from action, Hitler unleashed his army on Poland on September 1. Two days later, as Zhukov's First Army Group was completing its operations at Nomonhan, Hitler faced a setback when Britain and France declared war. Hitler had hoped to finish Poland quickly in 1939 and avoid fighting Britain and France until 1940. World War II in Europe had begun. The Soviet–Japanese conflict at Nomonhan was not the sole, nor even the principal, factor prompting Stalin to conclude an alliance with Hitler. Standing aside from a European war that could fracture the major capitalist powers might have been reason enough. Yet the conflict with Japan in the East was also a factor in Stalin's calculations, a dimension that has received relatively little attention in standard accounts of the outbreak of the war. This East Asian focus seeks to clarify the record without proposing a revolutionary reinterpretation of Soviet foreign policy; rather, it adds an important piece often overlooked in the "origins of the Second World War" puzzle, helping to reduce the overall confusion. The German–Soviet agreement provided for the Soviet occupation of the eastern half of Poland soon after Germany's invasion. On September 3, just forty-eight hours after the invasion and on the day Britain and France declared war, Ribbentrop urged Moscow to invade Poland from the east. Yet, for two more weeks, Poland's eastern frontier remained inviolate; Soviet divisions waited at the border, as most Polish forces were engaged against Germany. The German inquiries about the timing of the Soviet invasion continued, but the Red Army did not move. This inactivity is often attributed to Stalin's caution and suspicion, but that caution extended beyond Europe. Throughout early September, sporadic ground and air combat continued at Nomonhan, including significant activity by Kwantung Army forces on September 8–9, and large-scale air engagements on September 1–2, 4–5, and 14–15. Not until September 15 was the Molotov–Togo cease-fire arrangement finalized, to take effect on September 16. The very next morning, September 17, the Red Army crossed the Polish frontier into a country collapsed at its feet. It appears that Stalin wanted to ensure that fighting on his eastern flank had concluded before engaging in Western battles, avoiding a two-front war. Through such policies, Stalin avoided the disaster of a two-front war. Each principal in the 1939 diplomatic maneuvering pursued distinct objectives. The British sought an arrangement with the USSR that would deter Hitler from attacking Poland and, if deterred, bind Moscow to the Anglo–French alliance. Hitler sought an alliance with the USSR to deter Britain and France from aiding Poland and, if they did aid Poland, to secure Soviet neutrality. Japan sought a military alliance with Germany against the USSR, or failing that, stronger Anti-Comintern ties. Stalin aimed for an outcome in which Germany would fight the Western democracies, leaving him freedom to operate in both the West and East; failing that, he sought military reassurance from Britain and France in case he had to confront Germany. Of the four, only Stalin achieved his primary objective. Hitler secured his secondary objective; the British and Japanese failed to realize theirs. Stalin won the diplomatic contest in 1939. Yet, as diplomats gave way to generals, the display of German military power in Poland and in Western Europe soon eclipsed Stalin's diplomatic triumph. By playing Germany against Britain and France, Stalin gained leverage and a potential fallback, but at the cost of unleashing a devastating European war. As with the aftermath of the Portsmouth Treaty in 1905, Russo-Japanese relations improved rapidly after hostilities ceased at Nomonhan. The Molotov–Togo agreement of September 15 and the local truces arranged around Nomonhan on September 19 were observed scrupulously by both sides. On October 27, the two nations settled another long-standing dispute by agreeing to mutual release of fishing boats detained on charges of illegal fishing in each other's territorial waters. On November 6, the USSR appointed Konstantin Smetanin as ambassador to Tokyo, replacing the previous fourteen-month tenure of a chargé d'affaires. Smetanin's first meeting with the new Japanese foreign minister, Nomura Kichisaburö, in November 1939 attracted broad, favorable coverage in the Japanese press. In a break with routine diplomatic practice, Nomura delivered a draft proposal for a new fisheries agreement and a memo outlining the functioning of the joint border commission to be established in the Nomonhan area before Smetanin presented his credentials. On December 31, an agreement finalizing Manchukuo's payment to the USSR for the sale of the Chinese Eastern Railway was reached, and the Soviet–Japanese Fisheries Convention was renewed for 1940. In due course, the boundary near Nomonhan was formally redefined. A November 1939 agreement between Molotov and Togo established a mixed border commission representing the four parties to the dispute. After protracted negotiations, the border commission completed its redemarcation on June 14, 1941, with new border markers erected in August 1941. The resulting boundary largely followed the Soviet–MPR position, lying ten to twelve miles east of the Halha River. With that, the Nomonhan incident was officially closed.  Kwantung Army and Red Army leaders alike sought to "teach a lesson" to their foe at Nomonhan. The refrain recurs in documents and memoirs from both sides, "we must teach them a lesson." The incident provided lessons for both sides, but not all were well learned. For the Red Army, the lessons of Nomonhan intertwined with the laurels of victory, gratifying but sometimes distracting. Georgy Zhukov grasped the experience of modern warfare that summer, gaining more than a raised profile: command experience, confidence, and a set of hallmarks he would employ later. He demonstrated the ability to grasp complex strategic problems quickly, decisive crisis leadership, meticulous attention to logistics and deception, patience in building superior strength before striking at the enemy's weakest point, and the coordination of massed artillery, tanks, mechanized infantry, and tactical air power in large-scale double envelopment. These capabilities informed his actions at Moscow, Stalingrad, Kursk, and ultimately Berlin. It is tempting to wonder how Zhukov might have fared in the crucial autumn and winter of 1941 without Nomonhan, or whether he would have been entrusted with the Moscow front in 1941 had he not distinguished himself at Nomonhan. Yet the Soviet High Command overlooked an important lesson. Despite Zhukov's successes with independent tank formations and mechanized infantry, the command misapplied Spanish Civil War-era experience by disbanding armored divisions and redistributing tanks to infantry units to serve as support. It was not until after Germany demonstrated tank warfare in 1940 that the Soviets began reconstituting armored divisions and corps, a process still incomplete when the 1941 invasion began. The Red Army's performance at Nomonhan went largely unseen in the West. Western intelligence and military establishments largely believed the Red Army was fundamentally rotten, a view reinforced by the battlefield's remoteness and by both sides' reluctance to publicize the defeat. The Polish crisis and the outbreak of war in Europe drew attention away from Nomonhan, and the later Finnish Winter War reinforced negative Western judgments of Soviet military capability. U.S. military attaché Raymond Faymonville observed that the Soviets, anticipating a quick victory over Finland, relied on hastily summoned reserves ill-suited for winter fighting—an assessment that led some to judge the Red Army by its performance at Nomonhan. Even in Washington, this view persisted; Hitler reportedly called the Red Army "a paralytic on crutches" after Finland and then ordered invasion planning in 1941. Defeat can be a stronger teacher than victory. Because Nomonhan was a limited war, Japan's defeat was likewise limited, and its impact on Tokyo did not immediately recalibrate Japanese assessments. Yet Nomonhan did force Japan to revise its estimation of Soviet strength: the Imperial Army abandoned its strategic Plan Eight-B and adopted a more defensive posture toward the Soviet Union. An official inquiry into the debacle, submitted November 29, 1939, recognized Soviet superiority in materiel and firepower and urged Japan to bolster its own capabilities. The Kwantung Army's leadership, chastened, returned to the frontier with a more realistic sense of capability, even as the Army Ministry and AGS failed to translate lessons into policy. The enduring tendency toward gekokujo, the dominance of local and mid-level officers over central authority, remained persistent, and Tokyo did not fully purge it after Nomonhan. The Kwantung Army's operatives who helped drive the Nomonhan episode resurfaced in key posts at Imperial General Headquarters, contributing to Japan's 1941 decision to go to war. The defeat of the Kwantung Army at Nomonhan, together with the Stalin–Hitler pact and the outbreak of war in Europe, triggered a reorientation of Japanese strategy and foreign policy. The new government, led by the politically inexperienced and cautious General Abe Nobuyuki, pursued a conservative foreign policy. Chiang Kai-shek's retreat to Chongqing left the Chinese war at a stalemate: the Japanese Expeditionary Army could still inflict defeats on Chinese nationalist forces, but it had no viable path to a decisive victory. China remained Japan's principal focus. Still, the option of cutting Soviet aid to China and of moving north into Outer Mongolia and Siberia was discredited in Tokyo by the August 1939 double defeat. Northward expansion never again regained its ascendancy, though it briefly resurfaced in mid-1941 after Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union. Germany's alliance with the USSR during Nomonhan was viewed by Tokyo as a betrayal, cooling German–Japanese relations. Japan also stepped back from its confrontation with Britain over Tientsin. Tokyo recognized that the European war represented a momentous development that could reshape East Asia, as World War I had reshaped it before. The short-lived Abe government (September–December 1939) and its successor under Admiral Yonai Mitsumasa (December 1939–July 1940) adopted a cautious wait-and-see attitude toward the European war. That stance shifted in the summer of 1940, however, after Germany's successes in the West. With Germany's conquest of France and the Low Countries and Britain's fight for survival, Tokyo reassessed the global balance of power. Less than a year after Zhukov had effectively blocked further Japanese expansion northward, Hitler's victories seemed to open a southern expansion path. The prospect of seizing the resource-rich colonies in Southeast Asia, Dutch, French, and British and, more importantly, resolving the China problem in Japan's favor, tempted many in Tokyo. If Western aid to Chiang Kai-shek, channeled through Hong Kong, French Indochina, and Burma could be cut off, some in Tokyo believed Chiang might abandon resistance. If not, Japan could launch new operations against Chiang from Indochina and Burma, effectively turning China's southern flank. To facilitate a southward advance, Japan sought closer alignment with Germany and the USSR. Foreign Minister Yosuke Matsuoka brought Japan into the Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy, in the hope of neutralizing the United States, and concluded a neutrality pact with the Soviet Union to secure calm in the north. Because of the European military situation, only the United States could check Japan's southward expansion. President Franklin D. Roosevelt appeared determined to do so and confident that he could. If the Manchurian incident and the Stimson Doctrine strained U.S.–Japanese relations, and the China War and U.S. aid to Chiang Kai-shek deepened mutual resentment, it was Japan's decision to press south against French, British, and Dutch colonies, and Roosevelt's resolve to prevent such a move, that put the two nations on a collision course. The dust had barely settled on the Mongolian plains following the Nomonhan ceasefire when the ripples of that distant conflict began to reshape the broader theater of the Second Sino-Japanese War. The defeat at Nomonhan in August 1939, coupled with the shocking revelation of the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact, delivered a profound strategic blow to Japan's imperial ambitions. No longer could Tokyo entertain serious notions of a "northern advance" into Soviet territory, a strategy that had long tantalized military planners as a means to secure resources and buffer against communism. Instead, the Kwantung Army's humiliation exposed glaring deficiencies in Japanese mechanized warfare, logistics, and intelligence, forcing a pivot southward. This reorientation not only cooled tensions with the Soviet Union but also allowed Japan to redirect its military focus toward the protracted stalemate in China. As we transition from the border clashes of the north to the heartland tensions in central China, it's essential to trace how these events propelled Japan toward the brink of a major offensive in Hunan Province, setting the stage for what would become a critical confrontation. In the immediate aftermath of Nomonhan, Japan's military high command grappled with the implications of their setback. The Kwantung Army, once a symbol of unchecked aggression, was compelled to adopt a defensive posture along the Manchurian-Soviet border. The ceasefire agreement, formalized on September 15-16, 1939, effectively neutralized the northern front, freeing up significant resources and manpower that had been tied down in the escalating border skirmishes. This was no small relief; the Nomonhan campaign had drained Japanese forces, with estimates of over 18,000 casualties and the near-total annihilation of the 23rd Division. The psychological impact was equally severe, shattering the myth of Japanese invincibility against a modern, mechanized opponent. Georgy Zhukov's masterful use of combined arms—tanks, artillery, and air power—highlighted Japan's vulnerabilities, prompting internal reviews that urged reforms in tank production, artillery doctrine, and supply chains. Yet, these lessons were slow to implement, and in the short term, the primary benefit was the opportunity to consolidate efforts elsewhere. For Japan, "elsewhere" meant China, where the war had devolved into a grinding attrition since the fall of Wuhan in October 1938. The capture of Wuhan, a major transportation hub and temporary capital of the Nationalist government under Chiang Kai-shek, had been hailed as a turning point. Japanese forces, under the command of General Shunroku Hata, had pushed deep into central China, aiming to decapitate Chinese resistance. However, Chiang's strategic retreat to Chongqing transformed the conflict into a war of endurance. Nationalist forces, bolstered by guerrilla tactics and international aid, harassed Japanese supply lines and prevented a decisive knockout blow. By mid-1939, Japan controlled vast swaths of eastern and northern China, including key cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Nanjing, but the cost was immense: stretched logistics, mounting casualties, and an inability to fully pacify occupied territories. The Nomonhan defeat exacerbated these issues by underscoring the limits of Japan's military overextension. With the northern threat abated, Tokyo's Army General Staff saw an opening to intensify operations in China, hoping to force Chiang to the negotiating table before global events further complicated the picture. The diplomatic fallout from Nomonhan and the Hitler-Stalin Pact further influenced this shift. Japan's betrayal by Germany, its nominal ally under the Anti-Comintern Pact—fostered distrust and isolation. Tokyo's flirtations with a full Axis alliance stalled, as the pact with Moscow revealed Hitler's willingness to prioritize European gains over Asian solidarity. This isolation prompted Japan to reassess its priorities, emphasizing self-reliance in China while eyeing opportunistic expansions elsewhere. Domestically, the Hiranuma cabinet collapsed in August 1939 amid the diplomatic shock, paving the way for the more cautious Abe Nobuyuki government. Abe's administration, though short-lived, signaled a temporary de-escalation in aggressive posturing, but the underlying imperative to resolve the "China Incident" persisted. Japanese strategists believed that capturing additional strategic points in central China could sever Chiang's lifelines, particularly the routes funneling aid from the Soviet Union and the West via Burma and Indochina. The seismic shifts triggered by Nomonhan compelled Japan to fundamentally readjust its China policy and war plans, marking a pivotal transition from overambitious northern dreams to a more focused, albeit desperate, campaign in the south. With the Kwantung Army's defeat fresh in mind, Tokyo's Imperial General Headquarters initiated a comprehensive strategic review in late August 1939. The once-dominant "Northern Advance" doctrine, which envisioned rapid conquests into Siberia for resources like oil and minerals, was officially shelved. In its place emerged a "Southern Advance" framework, prioritizing the consolidation of gains in China and potential expansions into Southeast Asia. This pivot was not merely tactical; it reflected a profound policy recalibration aimed at ending the quagmire in China, where two years of war had yielded territorial control but no decisive victory over Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists. Central to this readjustment was a renewed emphasis on economic and military self-sufficiency. The Nomonhan debacle had exposed Japan's vulnerabilities in mechanized warfare, leading to urgent reforms in industrial production. Tank manufacturing was ramped up, with designs influenced by observed Soviet models, and artillery stockpiles were bolstered to match the firepower discrepancies seen on the Mongolian steppes. Logistically, the Army General Staff prioritized streamlining supply lines in China, recognizing that prolonged engagements demanded better resource allocation. Politically, the Abe Nobuyuki cabinet, installed in September 1939, adopted a "wait-and-see" approach toward Europe but aggressively pursued diplomatic maneuvers to isolate China. Efforts to negotiate with Wang Jingwei's puppet regime in Nanjing intensified, aiming to undermine Chiang's legitimacy and splinter Chinese resistance. Japan also pressured Vichy France for concessions in Indochina, seeking to choke off aid routes to Chongqing. War plans evolved accordingly, shifting from broad-front offensives to targeted strikes designed to disrupt Chinese command and supply networks. The China Expeditionary Army, under General Yasuji Okamura, was restructured to emphasize mobility and combined arms operations, drawing partial lessons from Zhukov's tactics. Intelligence operations were enhanced, with greater focus on infiltrating Nationalist strongholds in central provinces. By early September, plans coalesced around a major push into Hunan Province, a vital crossroads linking northern and southern China. Hunan's river systems and rail lines made it a linchpin for Chinese logistics, funneling men and materiel to the front lines. Japanese strategists identified key urban centers in the region as critical objectives, believing their capture could sever Chiang's western supply corridors and force a strategic retreat. This readjustment was not without internal friction. Hardliners in the military lamented the abandonment of northern ambitions, but the reality of Soviet strength—and the neutrality pacts that followed—left little room for debate. Economically, Japan ramped up exploitation of occupied Chinese territories, extracting coal, iron, and rice to fuel the war machine. Diplomatically, Tokyo sought to mend fences with the Soviets through the 1941 Neutrality Pact, ensuring northern security while eyes turned south. Yet, these changes brewed tension with the United States, whose embargoes on scrap metal and oil threatened to cripple Japan's ambitions. As autumn approached, the stage was set for a bold gambit in central China. Japanese divisions massed along the Yangtze River, poised to strike at the heart of Hunan's defenses. Intelligence reports hinted at Chinese preparations, with Xue Yue's forces fortifying positions around a major provincial hub. The air thickened with anticipation of a clash that could tip the balance in the interminable war—a test of Japan's revamped strategies against a resilient foe determined to hold the line. What unfolded would reveal whether Tokyo's post-Nomonhan pivot could deliver the breakthrough so desperately needed, or if it would merely prolong the bloody stalemate. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. In 1939, the Nomonhan Incident saw Soviet forces under Georgy Zhukov decisively defeat Japan's Kwantung Army at Khalkin Gol, exposing Japanese weaknesses in mechanized warfare. This setback, coupled with the Hitler-Stalin Nonaggression Pact, shattered Japan's northern expansion plans and prompted a strategic pivot southward. Diplomatic maneuvers involving Stalin, Hitler, Britain, France, and Japan reshaped alliances, leading to the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact in 1941. Japan refocused on China, intensifying operations in Hunan Province to isolate Chiang Kai-shek.   

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Join us to hear from renowned historian Frank Dikötter, who offers a commanding history recasting how communists seized power in China. In April 1927, soldiers and detectives descended upon the Russian Embassy in Beijing, revolvers drawn. An hour later, they emerged with a trove of documents, some of them partly damaged by Russians who had tried quickly to destroy them. In these singed and soggy papers was proof that Moscow, despite agreeing three years earlier not to “propagate communistic doctrines,” had, in fact, sent what amounts to millions in today's dollars—along with shiploads of arms and advisors—to support nothing less than a revolution in China.  These findings are hardly ever mentioned by historians—until now. Dikötter says the history of modern China has long been framed as an organic enterprise, wherein Communists mobilized the “peasants,” took land from the rich and redistributed it to the poor. Drawing on the Beijing raid as well as several other overlooked archives, Dikötter's new book Red Dawn Over China reveals how unlikely a communist victory actually was, had it not been for massive financial and military support from the Soviet Union; a brutal war of occupation by Japan; severe miscalculations by the United States; and—most of all—the Communist Party's unflinching will to conquer at all costs. Dikötter reveals how what began in 1921 with 13 delegates in a dusty room led to a red flag being raised over the Forbidden City in 1949, forever altering the course of history for a quarter of humanity and shaping the global balance of power as we know it today.  About the Speaker: Frank Dikötter is the Milias Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also Chair Professor of Humanities at the University of Hong Kong. His books have changed the way historians view China, from the classic The Discourse of Race in Modern China to his award-winning People's Trilogy, a series of books that document the lives of ordinary people under Mao: Mao's Great Famine: The History of China's Most Devastating Catastrophe; The Tragedy of Liberation: A History of the Chinese Revolution, 1945-1957; and The Cultural Revolution: A People's History, 1962-1976. An Asia-Pacific Affairs Member-led Forum program. Forums and chapters at the Club are organized and run by volunteer programmers who are members of The Commonwealth Club, and they cover a diverse range of topics. Learn more about our Forums. Organizer: Lillian K NakagawaNotes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Multi award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter, pianist, CBC Music national radio host and 2026 GRAMMY Award nominee Laila Biali has headlined festivals and venues spanning five continents from New York City's Carnegie Hall to Beijing's National Centre for the Performing Arts, and supported international icon Sting. Her JUNO-nominated 2023 album, Your Requests, featured a stellar cast of guests and received a 4.5 star rave review in All About Jazz. Her previous release, Out of Dust, was also JUNO nominated (in 2021) and won Laila spots on “Best Album” lists around the globe. In 2020, Laila was honoured by SOCAN Music with the Hagood Hardy Award for Excellence in Songwriting. The previous year, Laila's eponymous release won her a JUNO for “Vocal Jazz Album of the Year” and top prize at the Canadian Songwriting Competition in the Jazz category. Laila was the youngest-ever double winner at Canada's National Jazz Awards when she was named “SOCAN Composer of the Year” and “Keyboardist of the Year”, and she received her first JUNO nomination for Tracing Light in 2011. When Laila isn't on stage or in the studio, she's busy hosting CBC Music's national radio show, Saturday Night Jazz – a weekly program broadcast to millions of listeners across Canada. And while she continues to earn high honours in the jazz world, Laila's signature sound transcends genre – “masterfully mixes jazz and pop, bringing virtuosity and unpredictability to songs that are concise and catchy” (Washington Post). Her highly anticipated seasonal album, Wintersongs, was nominated for a 2025 JUNO Award and a 2026 GRAMMY alongside heavyweights Lady Gaga, Barbra Streisand, Elton John & Brandi Carlile, Jennifer Hudson and Laufey.

This weeks discussion thematically compliments and follows on our previous episode on Marxism and China (episode 64 - give it a listen!).Sitting down with Tings Chak, we examine China's radical transformations from 1949 until today by centering a few questions: how was the mass alleviation of poverty accomplished in China? Is it an ongoing process? What does “socialist construction” have to do with it? Is China socialist? What kinds of contradictions has Chinese economic development faced? And how has China's rapid and radical improvement in living standards shaped it's place in the world? And what does this all mean for the global south in 2026?Tings Chak is the Asia co-coordinator and art director of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research. She is an editor of Wenhua Zongheng: A Journal of Chinese Contemporary Thought and is currently pursuing her doctorate at Tsinghua University in Beijing.Find Tings on social media at:X: @t_ings @tri_continentalinstagram: @tingschak @thetricontinentalSome links:Poverty alleviation: https://thetricontinental.org/studies-1-socialist-construction/Chinese Revolution historical overview: https://mronline.org/2024/10/01/seventy-five-years-of-the-chinese-revolution/Wenhua Zongheng latest on Trump: https://thetricontinental.org/wenhua-zongheng-2025-2-trump-2-0-global-order/Go To Yan'an: Culture and National Liberation: https://thetricontinental.org/dossier-yanan-forum/

As China advances its Healthy China Initiative, successful efforts made to prevent and treat altitude sickness on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau prompted a heartfelt response from President Xi Jinping on Friday, when he joined national political advisers from the sector of medicine and health, among others, for a group discussion in Beijing."Altitude sickness has long been one of the greatest difficulties facing those who work and live on the plateau," Xi said after Pasang Drolma, a national political adviser from the Xizang autonomous region, spoke about her years of work related to the prevention and treatment of the medical condition.According to Pasang Drolma, a professor at the School of Medicine of Xizang University, China has made remarkable strides in this field. During the construction of the Qinghai-Xizang Railway, which began operating in 2006, not a single death was caused by altitude sickness. In addition, during the construction of the Sichuan-Xizang Railway, which is still underway, measures such as smart oxygen chambers and real-time blood oxygen monitoring helped significantly reduce its incidence, she noted.The medical situation in the Qinghai-Xizang region remains close to Xi's heart. Conditions and technologies have improved greatly, but China still needs to strengthen the medical work on the plateau, he said. "To build a healthy China, we must shore up these weak links in remote areas," he added.Calling for a multipronged approach, Xi said that traditional Chinese medicine, along with traditional Tibetan, Mongolian, Miao and other ethnic medicines, are valuable treasures of the nation.He encouraged medical experts like Pasang Drolma, who have dedicated themselves to the plateau, to continue drawing on their rich experience, step up efforts to prevent and treat altitude sickness, and better safeguard the health of people living in such areas.Ma Xiuzhen, a national political adviser from the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, shared her views on how artificial intelligence could help foster new models of primary-level diagnosis and treatment."The foundation for on-the-ground medical and healthcare services must be further strengthened," Xi said in response, adding that places where conditions permit may explore the use of AI, but this should be done step by step to steadily build a stronger foundation for public healthcare.The discussion moved from healthcare to primary-level medical services, and then to broader changes in health awareness.As China's average life expectancy reached 79.25 years in 2025, up 1.32 years from 2020, Wang Lu, a national political adviser from the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, said the target set in the draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) to raise the average life expectancy further to 80 years by 2030 is "both inspiring and motivating".In response, Xi noted that "it is vital to foster healthy lifestyles and promote mass sports participation".As the discussion drew to a close, Xi voiced his expectations for the advisers. "You should make full use of your professional strengths and contribute your wisdom and expertise to the building of a healthy China," he said.altitude sickness 高原病Healthy China 健康中国primary-level medical services 基层医疗卫生服务ethnic medicines 民族医药

In a complex global environment and amid a substantial rise in foreign-related cases, Chinese courts are committed to ensuring equal protection for all entities and have implemented various measures to enhance the nation's business environment, offering "Chinese solutions" for resolving international disputes, according to the head of China's top court.首席大法官、最高人民法院院长张军在两会期间接受《中国日报》专访时表示，面对复杂的国际形势和增多的涉外案件，中国法院坚持平等保护原则，多措并举，以优质高效司法服务持续优化营商环境，积极为国际纠纷解决贡献"中国方案"。"Openness is a key feature of Chinese modernization, and the rule of law is the foundation for achieving high-level global engagement," said Zhang Jun, president of the Supreme People's Court, in an exclusive interview with China Daily on the sidelines of the ongoing annual meetings of the nation's top legislative and political advisory bodies.张军指出，开放是中国式现代化的鲜明标识，法治是高水平对外开放的坚实保障。Citing data from the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, Zhang said that Chinese courts concluded 128,000 first-instance foreign-related civil and commercial cases involving more than 100 countries and regions, an increase of 65 percent from the previous five years."十四五"期间，中国法院审结一审涉外民商事案件12.8万件，较"十三五"期间增长65%，涉及100多个国家和地区。In 2025 alone, courts nationwide handled over 67,000 foreign-related commercial and maritime cases, up 44 percent year-on-year, he noted.据张军介绍，2025年，全国法院新收一审涉外商事海事案件达6.7万余件，同比增长44%。With global supply chains restructuring and digital trade on the rise, Zhang said that disputes over international goods contracts, service trade, and related cross-border payments, transportation and insurance are increasing.随着全球供应链的重构和数字贸易的兴起，国际货物买卖合同纠纷、服务贸易纠纷，以及与之相关的跨境支付、运输、保险纠纷持续增多。As Chinese companies expand globally and foreign investment grows, particularly with the Belt and Road Initiative, relevant cases are also rising, he said. "The rapid increase and diversity of foreign-related cases highlight China's deep integration into the global market and its shift from focusing on goods flow to regulatory and institutional opening-up," he added.张军表示，随着中国企业"走出去"和外资"引进来"的双向流动加速，以及高质量共建"一带一路"的深入推进，相关纠纷也不断涌现。他补充说："涉外民商事案件数量的快速增长和类型的日益多样化，是中国经济深度融入全球市场的生动写照，勾勒出中国对外开放从商品和要素流动型开放向规则等制度型开放的转变。"To address the growing number of cases and meet diverse judicial needs, Chinese courts have been striving to provide more equitable, efficient and accessible services to both domestic and foreign litigants, Zhang said.张军说，"面对涉外案件数量持续攀升和当事人司法需求更为多元的新形势，中国法院努力为中外当事人依法提供更加公正、高效、便捷的司法服务和保障。"In June 2018, the first and second international commercial courts of the Supreme People's Court were established in Shen­zhen, Guangdong province, and Xi'an, Shaanxi province, where litigants are allowed to resolve disputes through mediation, arbitration, or litigation, based on their needs. By the end of 2025, these two courts concluded 37 cases involving litigants from 21 countries and regions.2018年6月，最高法院第一、第二国际商事法庭分别在广东深圳和陕西西安成立，当事人可根据需要选择调解、仲裁或诉讼解决纠纷。截至2025年底，这两个法庭审结涉及21个国家和地区当事人的案件37件。China has also set up international commercial tribunals in 18 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Suzhou in Jiangsu province. In 2025, these tribunals concluded more than 1,700 foreign-related commercial and arbitration review cases involving litigants from over 50 countries and regions, a year-on-year increase of 24 percent.中国还在北京、上海、苏州等18个城市设立了国际商事法庭。2025年共审结涉外商事、涉外仲裁司法审查等案件1700件，同比上升24%，当事人覆盖50多个国家。Zhang said that while respecting litigants' preferences for dispute resolution methods is important, the importance of mediation in handling foreign-related cases is also significant.张军表示，中国法院充分尊重当事人选择仲裁、调解解决争议的意愿。He cited a case involving a foreign oil tanker that was unloading at Qingdao port in Shandong province in January, noting that the dispute was resolved within 24 hours following the Xiamen Maritime Court's swift coordination with the Qingdao Maritime Court, and the use of online and offline mediation methods.他举例说，今年1月，厦门海事法院与青岛海事法院快速协调，运用线上线下调解方式，在24小时内成功化解一起外籍油轮在青岛港卸货纠纷。Expanding intl influence扩大国际影响力The international influence of China's foreign-related judiciary is also expanding, thanks to the development of foreign-related adjudication and optimized legal services, Zhang said.张军称，涉外审判的发展和司法服务的优化，也提升了中国涉外司法的国际影响力。In September 2022, a Liberian container ship and a Panamanian oil tanker collided in the Strait of Malacca, and the courts in five countries, including China, had jurisdiction over the case. The parties involved proactively chose the Ningbo Maritime Court in Zhejiang province to resolve their dispute under Chinese law, he noted.2022年9月，利比里亚籍集装箱船与巴拿马籍大型油轮在马六甲海峡发生碰撞，包括中国在内的五国法院均有管辖权。双方当事人主动选择中国宁波海事法院解决纠纷，并适用中国法律。"More parties involved in foreign-related cases, even those with no substantial connection to China, are voluntarily choosing to address their disputes in Chinese courts, which is a strong endorsement of China's judicial system and its international credibility," Zhang said."越来越多与中国并无实际联系的涉外案件，当事人自愿协议选择在中国法院诉讼，这本身就是对中国司法制度和国际公信力的充分认可。"张军补充说道。On their part, Chinese courts are continuously exploring and improving judicial services, he said. In March 2022, a Norwegian company applied to the Shanghai Maritime Court, seeking recognition of a judgment of a United Kingdom court. Despite the lack of an applicable judicial assistance treaty, the Shanghai court recognized the judgment based on the principle of reciprocity, prompting UK courts to recognize two court judgments of China later.中国法院也在不断探索和完善司法服务。2022年3月，挪威一家公司就英国高等法院的一项生效判决向上海海事法院提出承认申请。在缺乏可适用的司法协助条约的情况下，上海海事法院依据互惠原则承认了该判决，促使英国法院此后承认了中国法院的两项判决。This move not only provides a practical judicial example for establishing a reciprocal relationship, but also breaks the "zero record" of mutual recognition of commercial judgments between Chinese and UK courts. "The initiative demonstrates China's sense of responsibility and judicial confidence," Zhang said.张军表示，此举不仅为认定互惠关系提供了可操作的司法范例，也突破了中英两国法院商事判决互认"零记录"。"中国法院率先承认英国法院判决的背后是中国大国担当、司法自信的有力体现。"From 2024 to 2025, Chinese courts received 1,620 applications for recognizing and enforcing foreign judgments, and they concluded 1,510 such cases, he said. "This data shows China's determination to protect the rights of both domestic and foreign parties in foreign-related trials, maintaining a fair, open and inclusive judicial stance," he added.数据显示，2024年至2025年，中国法院共受理申请承认和执行外国民商事判决1620件，审结1510件，充分彰显了中国涉外审判平等保护中外当事人合法权益，以及公正、开放、包容的司法立场。Mission highlighted使命凸显In today's volatile global landscape, Zhang underscored the judiciary's mission to use legal certainty to address external uncertainties. "A stable, transparent legal business environment is vital for protecting foreign investments and promoting international economic cooperation," he said.当前，国际形势复杂多变，全球经济面临诸多不确定性。张军强调，在这样的时代背景下，中国司法肩负着以法治的确定性应对外部环境不确定性的重要使命。"一个稳定、公平、透明、可预期的法治化营商环境，是保护外商投资权益、保障跨境交易安全、促进国际经济合作的'压舱石'。"他说。Chinese courts have participated in the legislation and amendment of significant foreign-related laws — such as the Foreign Investment Law and the Law on Foreign Relations — to enhance China's judicial framework, Zhang said, adding that courts across the country have also shared their judicial expertise to improve international rules and promote global trade.中国法院近年来积极参与我国外商投资法、对外关系法等一批重大涉外法律的立法和修改工作，促进涉外法律体系完善。全国各地法院也分享司法经验，以完善国际规则，促进全球贸易。In December 2025, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the UN Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents. Zhang said this convention is the first international treaty in the transportation sector that originates from Chinese judicial practice, and was initiated and developed with China's full participation.2025年12月，联合国大会审议通过《联合国可转让货物单证公约》。张军表示，该公约是首部源于中国司法实践、由中国发起并全程参与制定的运输领域国际公约。"Through judicial decisions, Chinese courts will continue to play a crucial role in guarding against external risks, stabilizing market confidence and promoting global trade and investment, thereby protecting our national interests," he said.通过司法裁判，中国法院将继续在防范外部风险、稳定市场信心、促进全球贸易和投资方面发挥重要作用，从而维护国家利益。"Through efficient judicial services, we aim to provide certainty for the stable development of both the Chinese economy and the global economy, acting as a 'navigator' for opening-up and an 'anchor of stability' for global trade," he added.以优质高效的司法服务为中国经济和世界经济的稳定发展注入宝贵的确定性，努力做高水平对外开放的'护航者'和全球经贸秩序的'稳定锚'，张军补充说道。foreign-related case /ˈfɒrɪn rɪˈleɪtɪd keɪs/涉外案件first-instance /ˈfɜːst ˈɪnstəns/一审institutional opening-up /ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃənl ˈəʊpənɪŋ ʌp/制度型开放litigant /ˈlɪtɪɡənt/诉讼当事人mediation /ˌmiːdiˈeɪʃən/调解arbitration /ˌɑːbɪˈtreɪʃən/仲裁litigation /ˌlɪtɪˈɡeɪʃən/诉讼proactively /prəʊˈæktɪvli/主动地volatile /ˈvɒlətaɪl/动荡的

Today's Episode:Every day, parcels arrive at our doors as if by magic. But who brings them? In this episode, we explore the popular Chinese book I Deliver Parcels in Beijing, written by a former delivery worker, and discover the hidden stories behind China's delivery riders.Membership Preview:Every day in China, millions of delivery riders rush through the streets bringing food and parcels to people's doors. But how much do they really earn? What pressures do they face? In next MaoMi Chinese+ episode, we explore the hidden side of delivery riders' lives in China.Support MaoMi & Get exclusive   to premium content!https://www.buzzsprout.com/1426696/subscribe ↗️Transcript and translations are available on https://maomichinese.comInterested in any topics? Leave me a message on: https://maomichinese.com or https://www.instagram.com/maomichinese/?hl=en*Please note that Spotify does not support the membership program.Text me what you think :)Support the show

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held his annual press conference on the sidelines of the National People's Congress in Beijing. What key signals does this press conference send about China's diplomatic priorities at a time of profound global uncertainty? Host Ge Anna is joined by Zha Daojiong, Professor of international political economy at the School of International Studies at Peking University; Andy Mok, Professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University.

Nobody talks about Sudan. Focusing on truth will always lead to good things. Increasing the people's knowledge is the key. Lots of taxpayer money goes to stabilize the world. The way this money is used is always suspect. How important is Sudan? Both the ICC and the UN make moves to control it's shores. And Russia needed a port, so they're involved in a big way. Sudan had many assets like gold, water, oil and farmland. Did we mention Niobium? Why do the people have nothing? Average age is 19. Who decided Africa would stay hungry? How do you make foreign aid work. Cindy McCain is finally out. Sieges, war and starving masses. The international community ignores it all. The British structure was designed to extract resources. Export corridors are called development. Keeping them hungry enough to manage. 85 billion in food imports annually. 60% of our planet's farm ready land is in Africa. It's a dirty guns for gold operation. The UAE is evil. Some of this was on Hunter's laptop. Beijing holds a lien on Sudan's production capacity. Do we have the will to change? A double win is within reach. It seems impossible to believe, but our country's future is closely tied to Africa.

A week into US and Israeli military operations against Iran, where does the conflict stand? GoodFellows regulars Niall Ferguson, John Cochrane and H.R. McMaster discuss the odds of hostilities expanding, what the aftermath of “regime alteration” might resemble, a possible economic backlash should energy prices spike, plus a geopolitical shock felt in Beijing and Moscow. Subscribe to GoodFellows for clarity on today's biggest social, economic, and geostrategic shifts — only on GoodFellows.

In this episode of The Winston Marshall Show, I sit down with Israeli journalist and geopolitical analyst Haviv Rettig Gur to unpack the deeper forces behind the Iran war, the growing confrontation between the United States and China, and the shifting alliances across the Middle East.We begin by addressing a claim circulating in American politics: that Israel “dragged” the United States into the conflict with Iran. Haviv explains why that narrative misunderstands the strategic reality, arguing that Iran had become a key component of China's long-term geopolitical strategy against American power.Our conversation explores how Iranian negotiations over its nuclear programme may have been used to buy time while missile capabilities and military infrastructure were expanded underground with Chinese assistance. We examine the intelligence operation that allegedly led to the attempted strike on Ali Khamenei, the strategic timing of American forces entering the region, and why the conflict escalated when it did.From there, we widen the lens to the global chessboard: China's dependence on Middle Eastern oil, the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, and how Iran's partnership with Beijing may have given China leverage over global energy routes in the event of a confrontation over Taiwan.We also examine the unexpected alignment emerging across the Arab world, where several Gulf states increasingly view Iran as a destabilising revolutionary power rather than a partner against Israel. The discussion turns to what the Middle East might look like if the Iranian regime weakens or collapses, and whether regional power could shift toward countries like Turkey or Saudi Arabia.Finally, we discuss the role of international law, the limits of global institutions, and whether the world is entering a new era of great-power politics defined less by legal frameworks and more by raw strategic power.A wide-ranging conversation about war, geopolitics, and the emerging global order.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------WATCH THE EXTENDED CONVERSATION HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/winstonmarshall/p/the-secret-plan-behind-trumps-iran?r=18lfab&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Substack: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/X: https://twitter.com/mrwinmarshallInsta: https://www.instagram.com/winstonmarshallLinktree: https://linktr.ee/winstonmarshall----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapters00:00 Introduction01:51 The “America First” Conservative Split on Israel05:00 Why This War Is Bigger Than Israel06:25 Iran as a Strategic Asset for China07:32 How the War Actually Began09:18 The Strike on Khamenei and the Start of the War11:10 Why Iran Was Never Negotiating in Good Faith13:09 Iran's Nuclear Program: Weapons, Not Energy15:00 How Obama's Deal Changed Iran's Calculus18:16 The Lessons of the 12-Day War20:08 Why This Is America's War Too23:18 The China–Iran Strategic Alliance25:39 Oil, Sea Lanes and Global Power27:30 Why Iran Became a Target in America's China Strategy34:15 China, Trade Routes and Global Hegemony37:11 The Arab World's Quiet Alignment Against Iran43:09 Who Fills the Power Vacuum if Iran Falls?48:57 The West, China and the Future Global Order54:12 Is International Law a Mirage? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Mining the Media, the guys welcome back intelligence analyst Lance Fairchok for a deep dive into the shifting balance of power in the Middle East and beyond. The discussion begins with the weakening of Iran's ruling mullah regime and the broader implications of recent military and geopolitical developments in the region. Lance explains how Iran's reliance on Chinese military technology has revealed serious vulnerabilities when confronted by superior Western systems. But the conversation quickly moves beyond Iran. Lance outlines the third-order strategic effects now facing China. If Chinese weapons systems fail to perform in real-world conflict, it undermines Beijing's reputation as a rising military superpower and weakens its ambitions to become the dominant global power. The team also explores how these developments intersect with President Trump's broader geopolitical strategy—what Lance describes as "five-dimensional chess." From energy policy and sanctions to shifting alliances in the Middle East, they examine how multiple strategic moves across different arenas may be reshaping the global power structure. Throughout the conversation, Lance brings his deep expertise in Islamic doctrine, intelligence analysis, and media narratives, helping listeners separate propaganda from reality. Bottom line: What happens in Iran doesn't stay in Iran. The ripple effects reach Beijing, Washington, and the entire global order. Please be sure to visit our website at www.miningthemedia.com and share with your friends, relatives, associates, and neighbors.

Debbie Millman, designer, author, educator, curator, artist, and pioneering podcast host, joins Designers On Film to talk about Arrival (2016), a movie that has all the ingredients to keep you engaged and make you curious about life on this planet, or life beyond this planet. Amy Adams is Louise Banks, Jeremy Renner is Ian Donnelly, and together they're brought into a government operation to understand, analyze, and hopefully communicate with visitors from another planet. In addition to sharing everything about the movie that she loves, Debbie also talks about how science has been an integral part of her own life, why she believes in alien lifeforms, and ponders big questions about language, love, and time.-Debbie Millman is host of the pioneering podcast Design Matters. Fast Company called her "one of the most creative people in business" and Graphic Design USA called her "one of the most influential designers working today." She's a "woman of influence" as Success Magazine has said, building a career at the intersection of design, storytelling, and cultural commentary. As the founder and host of Design Matters, one of the first and longest-running podcasts in the world, she's interviewed more than 700 of the world's most creative thinkers and makers, having earned the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award, multiple Webby awards and Ambie nominations, and numerous accolades from Apple Podcasts who named Design Matters one of their "All-Time Favorites" three times. Debbie worked on the concept and design of the vault plate that's aboard NASA's Europa Clipper mission to Jupiter's moon. Her work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Philadelphia Inquirer, New York Magazine, The Baffler, The New York Review of Books, and Fast Company. The author of two books of illustrated essays, plus author of eight books, she's also Editorial Director of PrintMag.com which she co-owns, Debbie and her business partners rescued the publication from bankruptcy in 2019, preserving its 80-year legacy. Debbie and her wife, best-selling author Roxane Gay, recently acquired The Rumpus. Debbie lives in New York City and Los Angeles with her beautiful wife, two lovable cats and a very charismatic dog.https://www.printmag.com/author/debbie-millman/https://www.instagram.com/debbiemillman/https://designmattersmedia.com/https://apple.co/designmattershttps://debbiemillman.com/https://therumpus.net/-Zipeng Zhu is a Chinese-born artist, designer, educator, and founder of the award-winning creative studio Dazzle in New York City. He wants to make every day a razzle-dazzle musical and has collaborated with iconic brands such as Apple, Adidas, Adobe, Coca-Cola, Instagram, MTV, Microsoft, Netflix, The New York Times, The New Yorker magazine, Samsung and Uber. His work has been exhibited at major museums and institutions in cities all over the world, including New York, Barcelona, Dubai, Shanghai, Beijing, and Mumbai. Zipeng dedicates his days running both the Dazzle Studio and merch shop Dazzle Supply, bringing his dazzling design to clients and fans around the globe.https://dazzle.studio/-Arrival (2016)https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2543164/‍ ‍https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5384213/‍ ‍Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chianghttps://amzn.to/4rfSiBk‍ ‍-Other movies, shows, and books discussed:Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)Contact (1997)Interstellar (2014) The Twilight Zone, S3.E24: To Serve Man (1962)

FULL STREAM### March 4: Operation Fury and Global Power Shifts (9)SEPTEMBER 1978 TEHRANHeadline: Operation Fury Decimates Iranian Defenses as Allies Watch Closely (10)Summary: By day five, "Operation Fury" has significantly degraded Iranian military capabilities, rendering Chinese and Russian-supplied missile defense systems ineffective. Victoria Coates reports that Iran is increasingly isolated, as Beijing and Moscow have declined requests for direct military help. China, while issuing statements about international law, is facing an energy squeeze as 25% of Gulf oil exports—much of which it relies on—are disrupted. General Blaine Holt discusses the "missile math" of the conflict, noting the asymmetry of $20,000 Iranian drones forcing the use of $4 million Patriot missiles, though massive US bombing campaigns have already serviced over 2,000 targets. Allied nations like Japan and Taiwan are closely monitoring the effectiveness of US missile defense technology for their own security templates. Meanwhile, the US Senatedebates war powers as the air campaign is expected to continue for several weeks. (11)Guest(s): Victoria Coates (Heritage Foundation), Gordon Chang(Author), General Blaine Holt (USAF, Ret.), Steve Yates (Heritage Foundation). (12)

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: Chinese-made air defense systems are facing intense scrutiny after appearing to fail during the opening phase of the U.S. and Israeli strike campaign against Iran. Beijing has long marketed these systems as rivals to Western technology, but the results on the battlefield are raising serious questions about their real-world performance. Israel continues its operations against Hezbollah as Lebanon's government announces that members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps operating inside the country will now face arrest and deportation. The move signals rising pressure on Tehran's network in Lebanon as the regional conflict intensifies. After years of defending against Iranian-made drones in its war with Russia, Ukraine is now sharing that battlefield knowledge with the United States and several Middle Eastern partners looking to improve defenses against Tehran's growing drone arsenal. President Trump announces a major leadership change at the Department of Homeland Security, replacing Secretary Kristi Noem with Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief.  YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Sundays for Dogs: Upgrade your dog's food without the hassle—try Sundays for Dogs and get 50% off your first order at https://sundaysfordogs.com/PDB50  or use code PDB50 at checkout. Stash Financial: Don't Let your money sit around. Go to https://get.stash.com/PDB to see how you can receive $25 towards your first stock purchase and to view important disclosures. QUO: Make this the season where no opportunity slips away. Try QUO for free PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to https://Quo.com/PDB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unleashed: The Political News Hour with Chris Cordani – Trump's Iran posture is being sold as regime change on the surface, but it functions as a strategic choke point against China underneath. If successful, it doesn't just change Tehran. It shifts the balance of leverage that has allowed Beijing to grow richer, bolder, and more influential while the West argued over symbolic politics and bought its...

For nearly half a century, Iran's rulers have promised “Death to America.” It wasn't just a chant — it was a policy. From the 1979 hostage crisis to terrorist attacks that killed hundreds of Americans, the Islamic Republic has spent decades waging a shadow war against the United States. Now Washington is confronting Iran's jihadist regime more directly — raising a larger question: what role might Xi Jinping's China play in the conflict? Cliff May sits down with former Acting Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency David Shedd to examine the long war against Tehran's jihadist rulers — and why Beijing may have more at stake than many realize.

Tune in here to this Friday’s edition of the Brett Winterble Show! Brett is joined by Gordon G. Chang the world of foreign policy analysis to discuss mounting geopolitical pressure on China amid ongoing instability in the Middle East. Chang explains how efforts by President Trump to weaken China’s global influence include targeting key allies and proxies such as Venezuela, Iran, Cuba, and Chinese operations in Panama and Latin America. The conversation turns to energy markets, with Chang noting that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are driving up fuel costs in China, threatening an economy already struggling with debt and slowing growth. Brett asks whether Chinese leader Xi Jinping might escalate tensions, possibly toward Taiwan, but Chang argues the People’s Liberation Army is currently weakened by internal purges and not capable of a full-scale invasion. They also examine Japan’s increasingly firm stance against Beijing and political tensions in South Korea. The interview ends abruptly due to technical difficulties before Chang can offer final indicators to watch in the unfolding geopolitical situation. Listen here for all of this and more on The Brett Winterble Show! For more from Brett Winterble check out his YouTube channel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iranians are fleeing as Israel and the U.S. keep striking Iran, the fighting continues in Lebanon, and the war's spillover is rattling Gulf countries.President Trump is offering shifting explanations for why the U.S. struck Iran, as the White House tries to line up its message and Americans remain wary about what the war is meant to achieve.And China says it will send a special envoy to the Middle East as Beijing's annual “Two Sessions” get underway, with leaders warning the world is getting more volatile even as growth slows at home.Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Today's episode of Up First was edited by Hannah Bloch, Miguel Macias, James Hider, Tina Kraja, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Ben Abrams.Our director is Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.And our Deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.(0:00) Introduction(02:10) Iran War Expanding(06:13) Khamenei Successor(09:49) China Mediates Middle East WarTo manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

SHOW SCHEDULE 3-4-20261910 CARTHAGEVictoria Coates argues China's interest in international law masks an inability to project power compared to the United States, which remains the regional "strong horse." (1)General Blaine Holt explains "missile math," where cheap drones force expensive defensive responses, requiring a strategy of targeting adversary production capabilities and launch sites directly. (2)Steve Yates discusses how Asian allies find assurance in US missile defense tech while Beijing faces internal military purges and doubts about its own technology. (3)Steve Yates explores the fragile nature of the War Powers Act and praises Senator John Fetterman for his clear, principled stance regarding the Middle East conflict. (4)Peter Berkowitz traces the current conflict to the October 7 atrocities, emphasizing the Islamic Republic of Iran's long-term funding and coordination of its proxy groups. (5)Peter Berkowitz examines Secretary Rubio's speech on Western traditions, arguing the US fights to secure Americanfreedom and global interests against hostile, non-democratic regional actors. (6)Anatoly Zak reveals the history of the T2K, a secret Soviet lunar lander prototype tested in Earth orbit to compete with the American Apollo program. (7)Anatoly Zak attributes the Soviet failure to reach the moon to late funding, lack of military interest, and the unreliability of the super-heavy N1 rocket engines. (8)Ivana Stradner warns that Moscow uses the Iran conflict to spread propaganda claiming US abandonment of Ukraine, aiming to polarize the West and demoralize allies. (9)Ivana Stradner explains how manipulated satellite imagery and AI-generated footage are used by Iran and Russia to spread fear and claim false victories in war zones. (10)Gregory Copley analyzes European responses, noting UK Prime Minister Starmer's perceived weakness and the largely symbolic nature of French nuclear and naval deployments in the region. (11)Gregory Copley explores regional reactions, noting Australia's military integration with the US and Beijing's shock as its propaganda regarding Iranian invulnerability is proven false. (12)Mariam Wahba explains why Egypt remains unattacked by Iran and discusses President Al-Sisi's potential future role in regional rebuilding and stabilizing the Suez Canal. (13)Michael Bernstam analyzes how spiked oil prices temporarily benefit Russia's budget, though the loss of Iranian drone supplies creates significant strategic and long-term logistical setbacks. (14)Bob Zimmerman highlights SpaceX's routine orbital successes while contrasting them with China's rational, long-term plan to land humans on the moon by the year 2030. (15)Bob Zimmerman details the sun's unpredictable sunspot decline and its influence on climate, alongside deep-space observations of the Cat's Eye nebula by the Euclid telescope. (16)

Steve Yates discusses how Asian allies find assurance in US missile defense tech while Beijing faces internal military purges and doubts about its own technology. (3)1906 CAIRO MOSQUE OF IBN TULUN

Gregory Copley explores regional reactions, noting Australia's military integration with the US and Beijing's shock as its propaganda regarding Iranian invulnerability is proven false. (12)   1909 CAIRO

In Episode 467 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Bruno Maçães — geopolitical strategist, former Minister of European Affairs for Portugal, and author of World Builders — about the Iran War, what it reveals about the Trump administration's strategic logic, and how the decision to initiate what may prove to be the most expansive American-led war in the Middle East since the 2003 invasion of Iraq is reshaping the global order. Kofinas and Maçães examine the competing explanations for why the campaign was launched when it was — from the argument that Washington was drawn into the conflict by Israel, to the question of whether Trump's own instincts and political calculations were the decisive factor — including a close reading of Secretary of State Marco Rubio's public comments about the role Israel played in precipitating American military involvement. They also discuss what Washington and Tel Aviv's strategic visions may be for the post-conflict order, the fractures emerging within Trump's own political base, and how early battlefield developments are already complicating the administration's attempts to construct a coherent narrative around the war. The conversation closes with a broader assessment of where this conflict fits within Bruno's framework of world building and American decline — how the United States appears to be abandoning soft power in favor of unbridled military force, what that shift signals to capitals around the world, and why Beijing may be the most important audience of all for everything that is now unfolding. Subscribe to our premium content—including our premium feed, episode transcripts, and Intelligence Reports—by visiting HiddenForces.io/subscribe. If you'd like to join the conversation and become a member of the Hidden Forces Genius community—with benefits like Q&A calls with guests, exclusive research and analysis, in-person events, and dinners—you can also sign up on our subscriber page at HiddenForces.io/subscribe. If you enjoyed today's episode of Hidden Forces, please support the show by: Subscribing on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, Stitcher, SoundCloud, CastBox, or via our RSS Feed Writing us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Join our mailing list at https://hiddenforces.io/newsletter/ Producer & Host: Demetri Kofinas Editor & Engineer: Stylianos Nicolaou Subscribe and support the podcast at https://hiddenforces.io. Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @hiddenforcespod Follow Demetri on Twitter at @Kofinas Episode Recorded on 03/04/2026

On the Record with Christian Briggs – China's strategy to challenge dollar dominance unfolds through critical minerals, supply chains, food security, and legal warfare. As control of rare earths, coltan, and battery metals reshapes geopolitics, the struggle between Washington and Beijing intensifies—revealing how resources, technology, and global trade networks may determine the balance of power in the coming decades...

Mary Kissel reports that Beijing watches US munitions depletion and asset movements, potentially using homeland distractions to prepare for future aggression against Taiwan or Philippine territory in Asia. 9.1897 PERSIA

3-3-20261600  WORLDElizabeth Peek reports that Iran attacks Qatar's gas fields, causing European prices to soar by 50% as the continent relies on US liquified natural gas amidst a cold winter. 1.Elizabeth Peek reports that Democrats break tradition by opposing the administration during wartime, citing potential anti-Israel sentiment and risks to the upcoming midterms as the conflict with Iran escalates. 2.Judy Dempsey reports that the UAE raises combat readiness after intercepts over Dubai, while Europe faces depleted energy stocks and a lack of strategic clarity from Washington regarding the conflict. 3.Judy Dempsey reports that recent polls show US voters oppose intervention in Iran, while rumors of internal administration friction suggest a lack of unified strategy for the expanding war. 4.Joseph Sternberg reports that Kevin Warsh aims to reduce the Federal Reserve's $2.9 trillion in bank reserves, sparking a debate over the central bank's size relative to the economy. 5.Joseph Sternberg reports that a shrinking working-age population forces Germany to focus on productivity and innovation, as Chancellor Friedrich Merz navigates welfare state sustainability and potential brain drain. 6.Gregory Copley reports that gold and oil prices fluctuate as Pakistan strikes Taliban targets in Afghanistan and Israelexpands ground operations into Lebanon to dismantle Hezbollah's resurgent military infrastructure. 7.Gregory Copley reports that Israeli missiles reportedly hit a meeting of Iran's Council of Experts, while the administration considers supporting Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi for a post-regime future. 8.Mary Kissel reports that Beijing watches US munitions depletion and asset movements, potentially using homeland distractions to prepare for future aggression against Taiwan or Philippine territory in Asia. 9.Mary Kissel reports that while Maduro is rendered, his lieutenants maintain control in Caracas, slow-walking transition efforts as Maria Corina Machado plans her return to lead the nation. 10.Jonathan Schanzer reports that IDF ground troops enter Lebanon to "clean house," targeting missile silos and leadership, while secret talks explore normalization between the two nations after Hezbollah's removal. 11.Jonathan Schanzer reports that Iran's attacks on neutral Gulf nations backfire, pushing previously hesitant allies like Qatar and Oman toward a unified front with Israel and the United States. 12.Bill Roggio reports that escalating border clashes result in the destruction of former US equipment, while Pakistanpressures the Afghan Taliban to restrain extremist groups attacking inside Pakistani territory. 13.Bill Roggio reports that the US exercises extreme caution with battle-hardened Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq, fearing retaliation against its small footprint of personnel and the Baghdad embassy. 14.Alejandro Peña Esclusa and Ernesto Araújo report that Secretary of State Rubio discusses a transition for the cash-strapped Cuban regime, while Venezuela's Rodriguez brothers continue to stall on releasing political prisoners. 15.Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa report that President Lula faces domestic polling challenges and USsanctions while attempting to balance his leftist base's support for Iran with necessary trade relations with Trump. 16.

Preview for Later TodayVictoria Coates discusses China's oil hoarding and how the Iran war could end discounted energy imports, creating significant economic hurdles for Beijing's growing AI needs. (1)11930

Dozens of Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have been killed in U.S.–Israeli joint strikes on Iran.In this episode, I'm sitting down again with seasoned China analyst Gordon Chang, author of “Plan Red,” to understand how this is changing the global geopolitical landscape—especially for Beijing.Including the Venezuela raid that captured regime leader Nicolás Maduro, this is the second time President Donald Trump appears to be neutralizing a key ally of Beijing.Views expressed in this video are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessari

Sid speaks with China expert Gordon Chang about the growing conflict with Iran and why the real long-term strategy may be aimed at China. Chang explains how Iran has acted as a proxy for Chinese interests, why Beijing has stayed quiet during the conflict, and why he believes China's military and leadership are weaker than many assume. The conversation also touches on Russia's limitations, the global oil market, and what President Trump's broader foreign policy strategy could mean for America and its allies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bioweapons labs. Weaponized crop blight. Engineered pests targeting livestock. For years, the fear has been simple: What if China doesn't fight a conventional war… but a biological one? Today, Tara breaks down explosive reporting about Chinese-linked biological threats, shifting oil leverage, and why recent U.S. military actions may have completely flipped Beijing's strategic calculus. Retired Admiral James Stavridis says recent U.S. operations are getting attention in Beijing and Moscow. Is this escalation — or deterrence? And could unpredictability be the one thing preventing catastrophe?

The headlines scream: Trump's Iran strikes are unpopular. But dig into the cross-tabs — and you'll find a very different story. Today, Tara breaks down the CBS polling internals the media glossed over, why Americans aren't anti-war — they're anti-forever war — and how modern military doctrine has radically changed since Iraq. Plus: China's biological warfare fears Oil leverage and sanctions enforcement Why deterrence may look very different in 2026 A fiery listener challenge: Is Tara “justifying Trump”? The Texas Senate primary that could reshape the GOP From Iran to Beijing to Texas — this is a geopolitical table flip.

Oil markets are rattled, Trump is escalating, and China is speaking out. In this episode of China Decode, Alice Han and James Kynge break down how China is responding after Trump's strikes on Iran — and what soaring oil prices mean for Beijing's energy security and global strategy. Is this about principle, protecting its oil lifeline, or quietly capitalizing on U.S. distraction? Then they turn to China's next Five-Year Plan and its aggressive push into AI and advanced manufacturing. Is Beijing accelerating economic decoupling for good? And finally, a fatal crash involving a Chinese EV sparks a nationwide safety rethink. Does this dent China's global EV ambitions — or make them stronger? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this episode of The Wright Report, Bryan delivers the latest from the expanding war with Iran, as six U.S. service members are confirmed dead and Tehran escalates missile and drone attacks across the Gulf, including strikes near Qatar's LNG facilities that sent global energy markets surging. Bryan breaks down the battle for the Strait of Hormuz, the growing coalition forming against Iran, Hezbollah's renewed attacks from Lebanon, and the stark math problem facing the Pentagon as cheap Iranian drones collide with expensive American interceptors. He also addresses conflicting messages from the White House about whether this war is about nuclear containment or full regime change, offering candid analysis on what may have shifted behind the scenes. The episode then turns to China's quiet oil dilemma as Beijing urges Tehran to stand down while sitting on roughly 100 days of reserves, and finally to the U.S. homeland, where military bases heighten security amid rising Islamist rhetoric in cities like Dearborn and Manassas. Bryan closes with a sober warning about radicalization, domestic security, and the long-term consequences of a widening Middle East war.   "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32     Keywords: March 3 2026 Wright Report, Iran war escalation US casualties Kuwait, Strait of Hormuz oil crisis LNG Qatar strike, Hezbollah Lebanon front Israel, cheap drones missile interceptor cost imbalance, Trump regime change Iran debate, CIA intel Ayatollah strike decision, China oil reserves Iran Venezuela supply, US military base force protection measures, Dearborn Manassas mosque extremism debate, homeland security Islamist threat

Events are moving rapidly in the Middle East, so we wanted to provide our loyal podcast listeners with some context to help digest everything that's happened so far. We hope to provide a longer view of the what, where, who, how and why and offer some perspective on this military action's broader historical, political, and legal implications.Ted Postol is Professor of Science, Technology and National Security Policy Emeritus in the Program in Science, Technology, and Society at MIT. His expertise is in nuclear weapon systems, including submarine warfare, applications of nuclear weapons, ballistic missile defense, and ballistic missiles more generally. He previously worked as an analyst at the Office of Technology Assessment and as a science and policy adviser to the chief of naval operations. In 2016, he received the Garwin Prize from the Federation of American Scientists for his work in assessing and critiquing the government's claims about missile defenses.Ambassador Chas Freeman is a retired career diplomat who has negotiated on behalf of the United States with over 100 foreign governments in East and South Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and both Western and Eastern Europe. Ambassador Freeman was previously a Senior Fellow at Brown University's Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, and served as U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense, U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, and Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d'Affaires in the American embassies at both Bangkok and Beijing. He was Director for Chinese Affairs at the U.S. Department of State from 1979-1981. He was the principal American interpreter during the late President Nixon's historic visit to China in 1972. In addition to Chinese, Ambassador Freeman speaks French and Spanish at the professional level and can converse in Arabic and several other languages.Bruce Fein is a Constitutional scholar and an expert on international law. Mr. Fein was Associate Deputy Attorney General under Ronald Reagan and he is the author of Constitutional Peril: The Life and Death Struggle for Our Constitution and Democracy, and American Empire: Before the Fall.Ralph Nader Radio Hour is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Thanks for reading Ralph Nader Radio Hour! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

With Captain Jonah Goldberg three sheets to the wind and capsized upon the Caribbean sands, inveterate scallywag Kevin Williamson has seized the helm of HMS Remnant and plotted a course for the far east. Kevin is joined in his journey by Andrew Collier, a Senior Fellow at Harvard's Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government, wherein they discuss China's bizarre real-estate situation, Xi Jinping's economic mindset, Beijing's 2020 crackdown on its tech firms, and what it's like doing business in the People's Republic. Show Notes:—Andrew Collier's bio—China's Technology War: Why Beijing Took Down Its Tech Giants—Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology The Remnant is a production of ⁠The Dispatch⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including access to all of Jonah's G-File newsletters—⁠click here⁠. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠by clicking here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: First up — just days into Operation Epic Fury, Israel says it now controls Iran's airspace and is operating directly over Tehran after dismantling key air defense systems and missile infrastructure. We break down what aerial supremacy means strategically — and why Iran, though wounded, remains dangerous. Later in the show — the world reacts. From the United Nations to Brussels, from Moscow to Beijing, global leaders weigh in as the conflict reshapes diplomatic alignments and raises fears of broader escalation. Plus — while the war rages abroad, the FBI shifts into a heightened defensive posture at home. Director Kash Patel orders counterterrorism teams onto high alert as intelligence officials monitor for potential asymmetric blowback inside the United States. And in today's Back of the Brief — a mass shooting in Austin leaves three dead and more than a dozen injured. We bring you the latest details as authorities investigate the motive and whether terrorism may be a factor. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com . Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Ethos Life Insurance: Protect your family's future with fast, online life insurance from Ethos—get your free quote in minutes at https://Ethos.com/PDB  American Financing: Call American Financing today to find out how customers are saving an avg of $800/mo. NMLS 182334, http://nmlsconsumeraccess.org -. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.196% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-885-1881 for details about credit costs and terms. Visit http://www.AmericanFinancing.net/PDB DeleteMe: Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to https://joindeleteme.com/PDB and use promocode PDB at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices