Podcasts about Beijing

Last time we spoke about Operation Chahar. In July 1937, the tensions between Japan and China erupted into a full-scale conflict, ignited by the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. Following a series of aggressive Japanese military maneuvers, Chiang Kai-shek, then enjoying a brief respite at Kuling, learned of the escalating clashes and prepared for battle. Confident that China was primed for resistance, he rallied his nation, demanding that Japan accept responsibility and respect China's sovereignty. The Japanese launched their offensive, rapidly capturing key positions in Northern China. Notably, fierce battle ensued in Jinghai, where Chinese soldiers, led by Brigade Commander Li Zhiyuan, valiantly defended against overwhelming forces using guerrilla tactics and direct assaults. Their spirit was symbolized by a courageous “death squad” that charged the enemy, inflicting serious casualties despite facing dire odds. As weeks passed, the conflict intensified with brutal assaults on Nankou. Chinese defenses, though valiant, were ultimately overwhelmed, leading to heavy casualties on both sides. Despite losing Nankou, the indomitable Chinese spirit inspired continued resistance against the Japanese invaders, foreshadowing a long, brutal war that would reshape East Asia.   #156 The Battle of Shanghai Part 1: The Beginning of the Battle of Shanghai 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. On August 9, a bullet riddled sedan screeched to an abrupt halt at the entrance to the Hongqiao airport along Monument Road. The gruesome scene on the dashboard revealed that one of the victims had died in the car. He had been dragged out and subjected to brutal slashing, kicking, and beating until his body was a mangled mess. Half of his face was missing, and his stomach had been cut open, exposing the sickly pallor of his intestines, faintly glimmering in the night. The other man had managed to escape the vehicle but only got a few paces away before he was gunned down. A short distance away lay a third body, dressed in a Chinese uniform. Investigators swiftly identified the badly mangled body as belonging to 27-year-old Sub-Lieutenant Oyama Isao, while the other deceased Japanese man was his driver, First Class Seaman Saito Yozo. The identity of the Chinese victim remained a mystery. At first glance, the scene appeared to be the aftermath of a straightforward shootout. However, numerous questions lingered: What were the Japanese doing at a military airfield miles from their barracks? Who had fired the first shot, and what had prompted that decision? The Chinese investigators and their Japanese counterparts were at odds over the answers to these questions. As they walked the crime scene, searching for evidence, loud arguments erupted repeatedly. By the time the sun began to rise, they concluded their investigation without reaching any consensus on what had transpired. They climbed into their cars and made their way back to the city. The investigators were acutely aware of the repercussions if they failed to handle their delicate task with the necessary finesse. Despite their hopes for peace, it was evident that Shanghai was a city bracing for war. As they drove through the dimly lit suburbs on their way from Hongqiao back to their downtown offices, their headlights illuminated whitewashed trees, interspersed with sandbag defenses and the silhouettes of solitary Chinese sentries. Officially, these sentries were part of the Peace Preservation Corps,  a paramilitary unit that, due to an international agreement reached a few years earlier, was the only Chinese force allowed to remain in the Shanghai area. In the hours that followed, both sides presented their versions of the incident. According to the Chinese account, the Japanese vehicle attempted to force its way through the airport gate. When members of the Peace Preservation Corps stationed at the entrance signaled for Saito, the driver, to stop, he abruptly turned the car around. Sub-Lieutenant Oyama then fired at the Chinese guards with an automatic pistol. Only then did the Chinese return fire, killing Oyama in a hail of bullets. Saito managed to jump out before he, too, was gunned down. The commander of the Chinese guards told a Western reporter that this wasn't the first time someone Japanese had attempted to enter the airport. Such incidents had occurred repeatedly in the past two months, leading them to believe that the Japanese were “obviously undertaking espionage.” The Japanese account, predictably, placed the blame for the entire incident squarely on China. It asserted that Oyama had been driving along a road bordering the airfield with no intention of entering. Suddenly, the vehicle was stopped and surrounded by Peace Preservation Corps troops, who opened fire with rifles and machine guns without warning. Oyama had no opportunity to return fire. The Japanese statement argued that the two men had every right to use the road, which was part of the International Settlement, and labeled the incident a clear violation of the 1932 peace agreement. “We demand that the Chinese bear responsibility for this illegal act,”. Regardless of either side, it seemed likely to everyone in the region, war would soon engulf Shanghai.  Meanwhile, as the Marco Polo Bridge Incident escalated into a full blown in the far north, General Zhang Fakui was attending a routine training mission at Mount Lu in southeastern Jiangxi. A short and small man, not considered too handsome either, Zhang had earned his place in China's leadership through physical courage, once taking a stand on a bridge and single handedly facing down an enemy army. He was 41 years old in 1937, having spent half his life fighting Warlords, Communists and sometimes even Nationalists. In the recent years he had tossed his lot in with a rebel campaign against Chiang Kai-Shek, who surprisingly went on the forgive him and placed him in charge of anti communist operations in the area due south of Shanghai. However now the enemy seemed to have changed.  As the war spread to Beijing, on July 16th, Zhang was sent to Chiang Kai-Shek's summer residence at Mount Lu alongside 150 members of China's political and military elites. They were all there to brainstorm how to fight the Japanese. Years prior the Generalissimo had made it doctrine to appease the Japanese but now he made grandiose statements such as “this time we must fight to the end”. Afterwards Chiang dealt missions to all his commanders and Zhang Fakui was told to prepare for operations in the Shanghai area.  It had been apparent for weeks that both China and Japan were preparing for war in central China. The Japanese had been diverting naval troops from the north to strengthen their forces in Shanghai, and by early August, they had assembled over 8,000 troops. A few days later, approximately thirty-two naval vessels arrived. On July 31, Chiang declared that “all hope for peace has been lost.” Chiang had been reluctant to commit his best forces to defend northern China, an area he had never truly controlled. In contrast, Shanghai was central to his strategy for the war against Japan. Chiang decided to deploy his finest troops, the 87th and 88th Divisions, which were trained by generals under the guidance of the German advisor von Falkenhausen, who had high hopes for their performance against the Japanese. In doing so, Chiang aimed to demonstrate to both his own people and the wider world that the Chinese could and would resist the invader. Meanwhile, Chiang's spy chief, Dai Li, was busy gathering intelligence on Japanese intentions regarding Shanghai, a challenging task given his focus in recent years. Dai, one of the most sinister figures in modern Chinese history, had devoted far more energy and resources to suppressing the Communists than to countering the Japanese. As a result, by the critical summer of 1937, he had built only a sparse network of agents in “Little Tokyo,” the Hongkou area of Shanghai dominated by Japanese businesses. One agent was a pawnshop owner, while the rest were double agents employed as local staff within the Japanese security apparatus. Unfortunately, they could provide little more than snippets, rumors, and hearsay. While some of this information sounded alarmingly dire, there was almost no actionable intelligence. Chiang did not take the decision to open a new front in Shanghai lightly. Built on both banks of the Huangpu River, the city served as the junction between the Pacific Ocean to the east and the great Yangtze River, which wound thousands of kilometers inland to the west. Shanghai embodied everything that represented modern China, from its industry and labor relations to its connections with the outside world. While foreign diplomatic presence was concentrated in nearby Nanjing, the capital, it was in Shanghai that the foreign community gauged the country's mood. Foreigners in the city's two “concession” areas nthe French Concession and the British-affiliated International Settlement often dismissed towns beyond Shanghai as mere “outstations.” Chiang Kai-shek would throw 650,000 troops into the battle for the city and its environs as well as his modest air force of 200 aircraft. Chiang, whose forces were being advised by German officers led by General Alexander von Falkenhausen, was finally confident that his forces could take on the Japanese. A German officer told a British diplomat, “If the Chinese Army follows the advice of the German advisers, it is capable of driving the Japanese over the Great Wall.”   While Chiang was groping in the dark, deprived of the eyes and ears of an efficient intelligence service, he did have at his disposal an army that was better prepared for battle than it had been in 1932. Stung by the experience of previous conflicts with the Japanese, Chiang had initiated a modernization program aimed at equipping the armed forces not only to suppress Communist rebels but also to confront a modern fighting force equipped with tanks, artillery, and aircraft. He had made progress, but it was insufficient. Serious weaknesses persisted, and now there was no time for any remedial action. While China appeared to be a formidable power in sheer numbers, the figures were misleading. On the eve of war, the Chinese military was comprised of a total of 176 divisions, which were theoretically organized into two brigades of two regiments each. However, only about 20 divisions maintained full peacetime strength of 10,000 soldiers and officers; the rest typically held around 5,000 men. Moreover, Chiang controlled only 31 divisions personally, and he could not count on the loyalty of the others. To successfully resist Japan, Chiang would need to rely not only on his military command skills but also on his ability to forge fragile coalitions among Warlord generals with strong local loyalties. Equipment posed another significant challenge. The modernization drive was not set to complete until late 1938, and the impact of this delay was evident. In every category of weaponry, from rifles to field artillery, the Chinese were outmatched by their Japanese adversaries, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Domestically manufactured artillery pieces had shorter ranges, and substandard steel-making technology caused gun barrels to overheat, increasing the risk of explosions. Some arms even dated back to imperial times. A large proportion of the Chinese infantry had received no proper training in basic tactics, let alone in coordinated operations involving armor and artillery. The chief of the German advisory corps was General Alexander von Falkenhausen, a figure hard to rival in terms of qualifications for the role. Although the 58-year-old's narrow shoulders, curved back, and bald, vulture-like head gave him an unmilitary, almost avian appearance, his exterior belied a tough character. In 1918, he had earned his nation's highest military honor, the Pour le Mérite, while assisting Germany's Ottoman allies against the British in Palestine. Few, if any, German officers knew Asia as well as he did. His experience in the region dated back to the turn of the century. As a young lieutenant in the Third East Asian Infantry Regiment, he participated in the international coalition of colonial powers that quelled the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. A decade later, he traveled through Korea, Manchuria, and northern China with his wife, keenly observing and learning as a curious tourist. From 1912 to 1914, he served as the German Kaiser's military attaché in Tokyo. He was poised to put his extensive knowledge to good use in the months ahead. Chiang believed that Shanghai should be the location of the first battle. This decision was heavily influenced by Falkenhausen and was strategically sound. Chiang Kai-shek could not hope to win a war against Japan unless he could unify the nation behind him, particularly the many fractious warlords who had battled his forces repeatedly over the past decade. Everyone understood that the territory Japan was demanding in the far north did not need to be held for any genuine military necessity; it was land that could be negotiated. The warlords occupying that territory were unpredictable and all too willing to engage in bargaining. In contrast, China's economic heartland held different significance. By choosing to fight for the center of the country and deploying his strongest military units, Chiang Kai-shek signaled to both China's warlords and potential foreign allies that he had a vested interest in the outcome.  There were also several operational reasons for preferring a conflict in the Yangtze River basin over a campaign in northern China. The rivers, lakes, and rice paddies of the Yangtze delta were much better suited for defensive warfare against Japan's mechanized forces than the flat plains of North China. By forcing the Japanese to commit troops to central China, the Nationalists bought themselves the time needed to rally and reinforce their faltering defenses in the north. By initiating hostilities in the Shanghai area, Japan would be forced to divert its attention from the northern front, thereby stalling a potential Japanese advance toward the crucial city of Wuhan. It would also help safeguard potential supply routes from the Soviet Union, the most likely source of material assistance due to Moscow's own animosity toward Japan. It was a clever plan, and surprisingly, the Japanese did not anticipate it. Intelligence officers in Tokyo were convinced that Chiang would send his troops northward instead. Again in late July, Chiang convened his commanders, and here he gave Zhang Fukai more detailed instructions for his operation. Fukai was placed in charge of the right wing of the army which was currently preparing for action in the metropolitan area. Fukai would oversee the forces east of the Huangpu River in the area known as Pudong. Pudong was full of warehouses, factories and rice fields, quite precarious to fight in. Meanwhile General Zhang Zhizhong, a quiet and sickly looking man who had previously led the Central Military Academy was to command the left wing of the Huangpu. All of the officers agreed the plan to force the battle to the Shanghai area was logical as the northern region near Beijing was far too open, giving the advantage to tank warfare, which they could not hope to contest Japan upon. The Shanghai area, full of rivers, creaks and urban environments favored them much more. Zhang Zhizhong seemed an ideal pick to lead troops in downtown Shanghai where most of the fighting would take place. His position of commandant of the military academy allowed him to establish connections with junior officers earmarked for rapid promotion. This meant that he personally knew the generals of both the 87th and 88th Divisions, which were to form the core of Zhang Zhizhong's newly established 9th Army Group and become his primary assets in the early phases of the Shanghai campaign. Moreover, Zhang Zhizhong had the right aggressive instincts. He believed that China's confrontation with Japan had evolved through three stages: in the first stage, the Japanese invaded the northeast in 1931, and China remained passive; in the second stage, during the first battle of Shanghai in 1932, Japan struck, but China fought back. Zhang argued that this would be the third stage, where Japan was preparing to attack, but China would strike first.   It seems that Zhang Zhizhong did not expect to survive this final showdown with his Japanese adversary. He took the fight very personally, even ordering his daughter to interrupt her education in England and return home to serve her country in the war. However, he was not the strong commander he appeared to be, as he was seriously ill. Although he never disclosed the true extent of his condition, it seemed he was on the verge of a physical and mental breakdown after years in high-stress positions. In fact, he had recently taken a leave of absence from his role at the military academy in the spring of 1937. When the war broke out, he was at a hospital in the northern port city of Qingdao, preparing to go abroad for convalescence. He canceled those plans to contribute to the struggle against Japan. When his daughter returned from England and saw him on the eve of battle, she was alarmed by how emaciated he had become. From the outset, doubts about his physical fitness to command loomed large. At 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 10, a group of officers emerged from the Japanese Consulate along the banks of the Huangpu River. This team was a hastily assembled Sino-Japanese joint investigation unit tasked with quickly resolving the shooting incident at the Hongqiao Aerodrome of the previous night. They understood the urgency of reaching an agreement swiftly to prevent any escalation. As they drove to the airport, they passed armed guards of the Chinese Peace Preservation Corps stationed behind sandbag barricades that had been erected only hours earlier. Upon arriving at Hongqiao, the officers walked up and down the scene of the incident under the scorching sun, attempting to piece together a shared understanding of what had transpired. However, this proved to be nearly impossible, as the evidence failed to align into a coherent account acceptable to both parties. The Japanese were unconvinced that any shootout had occurred at all. Oyama, the officer who had been in the car, had left his pistol at the marine headquarters in Hongkou and had been unarmed the night before. They insisted that whoever shot and killed the man in the Chinese uniform could not have been him. By 6:00 pm the investigators returned to the city. Foreign correspondents, eager for information, knew exactly whom to approach. The newly appointed Shanghai Mayor, Yu Hongjun, with a quick wit and proficiency in English, Yu represented the city's cosmopolitan image. However, that evening, he had little to offer the reporters, except for a plea directed at both the Japanese and Chinese factions “Both sides should maintain a calm demeanor to prevent the situation from escalating.” Mayor Yu however was, in fact, at the center of a complex act of deception that nearly succeeded. Nearly eight decades later, Zhang Fakui attributed the incident to members of the 88th Division, led by General Sun Yuanliang. “A small group of Sun Yuanliang's men disguised themselves as members of the Peace Preservation Corps,” Zhang Fakui recounted years later in his old age. “On August 9, 1937, they encountered two Japanese servicemen on the road near the Hongqiao military aerodrome and accused them of forcing their way into the area. A clash ensued, resulting in the deaths of the Japanese soldiers.” This created a delicate dilemma for their superiors. The two dead Japanese soldiers were difficult to explain away. Mayor Yu, likely informed of the predicament by military officials, conferred with Tong Yuanliang, chief of staff of the Songhu Garrison Command, a unit established after the fighting in 1932. Together, they devised a quick and cynical plan to portray the situation as one of self-defense by the Chinese guards. Under their orders, soldiers marched a Chinese death row inmate to the airport gate, dressed him in a paramilitary guard's uniform, and executed him. While this desperate ruse might have worked initially, it quickly unraveled due to the discrepancies raised by the condition of the Chinese body. The Japanese did not believe the story, and the entire plan began to fall apart. Any remaining mutual trust swiftly evaporated. Instead of preventing a confrontation, the cover-up was accelerating the slide into war.  Late on August 10, Mayor Yu sent a secret cable to Nanjing, warning that the Japanese had ominously declared they would not allow the two deaths at the airport to go unpunished. The following day, the Japanese Consul General Okamoto Suemasa paid a visit to the mayor, demanding the complete withdrawal of the Peace Preservation Corps from the Shanghai area and the dismantling of all fortifications established by the corps. For the Chinese, acquiescing to these demands was nearly impossible. From their perspective, it appeared that the Japanese aimed to leave Shanghai defenseless while simultaneously bolstering their own military presence in the city. Twenty vessels, including cruisers and destroyers, sailed up the Huangpu River and docked at wharves near "Little Tokyo." Japanese marines in olive-green uniforms marched ashore down the gangplanks, while women from the local Japanese community, dressed in kimonos, greeted the troops with delighted smiles and bows to the flags of the Rising Sun that proudly adorned the sterns of the battleships. In fact, Japan had planned to deploy additional troops to Shanghai even before the shooting at Hongqiao Aerodrome. This decision was deemed necessary to reinforce the small contingent of 2,500 marines permanently stationed in the city. More troops were required to assist in protecting Japanese nationals who were being hastily evacuated from the larger cities along the Yangtze River. These actions were primarily defensive maneuvers, as the Japanese military seemed hesitant to open a second front in Shanghai, for the same reasons that the Chinese preferred an extension of hostilities to that area. Diverting Japanese troops from the strategically critical north and the Soviet threat across China's border would weaken their position, especially given that urban warfare would diminish the advantages of their technological superiority in tanks and aircraft. While officers in the Japanese Navy believed it was becoming increasingly difficult to prevent the war from spreading to Shanghai, they were willing to give diplomacy one last chance. Conversely, the Japanese Army was eager to wage war in northern China but displayed little inclination to engage in hostilities in Shanghai. Should the situation worsen, the Army preferred to withdraw all Japanese nationals from the city. Ultimately, when it agreed to formulate plans for dispatching an expeditionary force to Shanghai, it did so reluctantly, primarily to avoid accusations of neglecting its responsibilities. Amongst many commanders longing for a swift confrontation with Japan was Zhang Zhizhong. By the end of July, he was growing increasingly impatient, waiting with his troops in the Suzhou area west of Shanghai and questioning whether a unique opportunity was being squandered. On July 30, he sent a telegram to Nanjing requesting permission to strike first. He argued that if Japan were allowed to launch an attack on Shanghai, he would waste valuable time moving his troops from their position more than 50 miles away. Nanjing responded with a promise that his wishes would be fulfilled but urged him to exercise patience: “We should indeed seize the initiative over the enemy, but we must wait until the right opportunity arises. Await further orders.” That opportunity arose on August 11, with the Japanese display of force on the Huangpu River and their public demand for the withdrawal of China's paramilitary police. Japan had sufficiently revealed itself as the aggressor in the eyes of both domestic and international audiences, making it safe for China to take action. At 9:00 p.m. that evening, Zhang Zhizhong received orders from Nanjing to move his troops toward Shanghai. He acted with remarkable speed, capitalizing on the extensive transportation network in the region. The soldiers of the 87th Division quickly boarded 300 trucks that had been prepared in advance. Meanwhile, civilian passengers on trains were unceremoniously ordered off to make room for the 88th Division, which boarded the carriages heading for Shanghai. In total, over 20,000 motivated and well-equipped troops were on their way to battle.  On August 12, representatives from the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Italy, Japan, and China gathered for a joint conference in Shanghai to discuss ceasefire terms. Japan demanded the withdrawal of Chinese troops from Shanghai, while the Chinese representative, Yu Hung-chun, dismissed the Japanese demand, stating that the terms of the ceasefire had already been violated by Japan. The major powers were keen to avoid a repeat of the January 28 Incident, which had significantly disrupted foreign economic activities in Shanghai. Meanwhile, Chinese citizens fervently welcomed the presence of Chinese troops in the city. In Nanjing, Chinese and Japanese representatives convened for the last time in a final effort to negotiate. The Japanese insisted that all Peace Preservation Corps and regular troops be withdrawn from the vicinity of Shanghai. The Chinese, however, deemed the demand for a unilateral withdrawal unacceptable, given that the two nations were already engaged in conflict in North China. Ultimately, Mayor Yu made it clear that the most the Chinese government would concede was that Chinese troops would not fire unless fired upon. Conversely, Japan placed all responsibility on China, citing the deployment of Chinese troops around Shanghai as the cause of the escalating tensions. Negotiations proved impossible, leaving no alternative but for the war to spread into Central China. On that same morning of Thursday, August 12, residents near Shanghai's North Train Station, also known as Zhabei Station, just a few blocks from "Little Tokyo," awoke to an unusual sight: thousands of soldiers dressed in the khaki uniforms of the Chinese Nationalists, wearing German-style helmets and carrying stick grenades slung across their chests. “Where do you come from?” the Shanghai citizens asked. “How did you get here so fast?” Zhang Zhizhong issued detailed orders to each unit under his command, instructing the 88th Division specifically to travel by train and deploy in a line from the town of Zhenru to Dachang village, both located a few miles west of Shanghai. Only later was the division supposed to advance toward a position stretching from the Zhabei district to the town of Jiangwan, placing it closer to the city boundaries. Zhang Zhizhong was the embodiment of belligerence, but he faced even more aggressive officers among his ranks. On the morning of August 12, he was approached by Liu Jingchi, the chief of operations at the Songhu Garrison Command. Liu argued that the battle of 1932 had gone poorly for the Chinese because they had hesitated and failed to strike first. This time, he insisted, should be different, and Zhang should order an all-out assault on the Japanese positions that very evening. Zhang countered that he had clear and unmistakable orders from Chiang Kai-shek to let the Japanese fire first, emphasizing the importance of maintaining China's image on the world stage. “That's easy,” Liu retorted. “Once all the units are deployed and ready to attack, we can just change some people into mufti and send them in to fire a few shots. We attack, and simultaneously, we report that the enemy's offensive has begun.” Zhang Zhizhong did not like this idea. “We can't go behind our leader's back like that,” he replied. Zhang Zhizhong's position was far from enviable. Forced to rein in eager and capable officers, he found himself acting against his own personal desires. Ultimately, he decided to seek the freedom to act as he saw fit. In a secret cable to Nanjing, he requested permission to launch an all-out attack on the Japanese positions in Shanghai the following day, Friday, August 13. He argued that this was a unique opportunity to capitalize on the momentum created by the movement of troops; any further delay would only lead to stagnation. He proposed a coordinated assault that would also involve the Chinese Air Force. However, the reply from Chiang Kai-shek was brief and unwavering: “Await further orders.” Even as Chiang's troops poured into Shanghai, Chinese and Japanese officials continued their discussions. Ostensibly, this was in hopes of reaching a last-minute solution, but in reality, it was a performance. Both sides wanted to claim the moral high ground in a battle that now seemed inevitable. They understood that whoever openly declared an end to negotiations would automatically be perceived as the aggressor. During talks at the Shanghai Municipal Council, Japanese Consul General Okamoto argued that if China truly wanted peace, it would have withdrawn its troops to a position that would prevent clashes. Mayor Yu responded by highlighting the increasing presence of Japanese forces in the city. “Under such circumstances, China must adopt such measures as necessary for self-defense,” he stated. Late on August 13, 1937, Chiang Kai-shek instructed his forces to defend Shanghai, commanding them to "divert the enemy at sea, secure the coast, and resist landings."  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 July 1937, tensions between Japan and China escalated into war following the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. Confident in his country's resolve, Chiang Kai-shek rallied the Chinese against Japanese aggression. On August 9, a deadly confrontation at Hongqiao Airport resulted in the deaths of Japanese soldiers, igniting further hostilities. As both sides blamed each other, the atmosphere became tense. Ultimately, negotiations failed, and the stage was set for a brutal conflict in Shanghai, marking the beginning of a long and devastating war.

Over the past 25 years, China's military engagement with Africa has grown dramatically. In 2000, fewer than 5% of African weapons came from China. Today, Chinese-made armored vehicles are used by 70% of African militaries, and China has become the continent's largest arms supplier. Officer training programs have followed a similar trajectory. At the turn of the century, fewer than 200 African officers were trained in China; today, that number exceeds 2,000. Paul Nantulya, a veteran China–Africa military analyst and research associate at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, joins Eric and Cobus to unpack his latest findings on how Beijing is deepening its defense ties across the continent. JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @stadenesque Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social FOLLOW CGSP IN FRENCH AND ARABIC: Français: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Arabic: عربي: www.alsin-alsharqalawsat.com | @SinSharqAwsat JOIN US ON PATREON! Become a CGSP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CGSP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth

Leslie is joined by Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America's leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union. The two discuss: 1. The Wall Street Journal recently documented the stark disparity between China and America's military-industrial strength in a series of graphs. The results are downright alarming, especially as geopolitical tensions flare. The data illustrate the urgent need for the United States to take action to revitalize our domestic shipbuilding industry.  2. With tariffs coming into force,  Made in the USA marketing is surging. U.S. consumers are rejiggering their purchasing habits, as evidenced by a boom in “Made in USA” searches on e-commerce sites, and companies are more than happy to tout their “Made in USA” commitments. (From Modern Retail: “Amazon searches for the phrase shot up to 126,000 from 26,000 in the past 30 days — nearly five times the previous period.”)   3. The state of our infrastructure and energy grid is dire. It's a crisis that creates another obstacle to U.S. manufacturing's renaissance and America's competitiveness. 4. This time, the China Shock is global in nature. Beijing is flooding the world's markets with its industrial overcapacity across all categories, and job losses and bankruptcies are trailing the imports.   WEBSITE: AmericanManufacturing.org YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@AmericanMfg (where you can watch episode's of AAM's podcast, "The Manufacturing Report") (If you want to listen to episodes of "The Manufacturing Report," visit AmericanManufacturing.org/Podcast) X: 1. AAM - @KeepItMadeInUSA  2. Scott Paul - @ScottPaulAAM BlueSky: @keepitmadeinusa.bsky.social

In this powerful episode of Soulfood and Lemonade, we sit down with Chancellor K. Jackson—author, educator, football coach, and entrepreneur—whose life story is as inspiring as it is transformational.A Georgia native born in Fulton County and raised in Smyrna, Chancellor played football for nine years through high school and college, eventually graduating from Stetson University with a degree in Communication and Media Studies.His life took a dramatic turn during a teaching stint abroad in China, where he was arrested and detained in Beijing for 14 days. This life-altering experience gave birth to his gripping debut memoir, 14 Days in Beijing, which has hit #1 on Amazon over fifteen times across multiple genres.Today, Chancellor channels his experiences into mentoring and coaching others—both on the field and in the literary world—helping aspiring authors navigate the writing and self-publishing journey.

This weekend interview is powered by Lululemon. Are you heading up to the Gold Coast Marathon? Lululemon is bringing together runners, crews, and clubs for one of the biggest weekends on the Australian run calendar. Join them for final race prep, recovery sessions, and post-race celebrations. You can register for the clubhouse here: https://events.bizzabo.com/738043/home This weekend interview is with decorated steeplechaser, middle distance runner and Olympian Youcef Abdi, talking with Brad about how running took him from Algeria to Australia. Recounting his days playing soccer in their village, Youcef talks about what his inspirations for getting into athletics leading him to representing Algeria for the 1500m in the 1996 World Junior Championships in Athletics held in Sydney. After the event, Youcef explored his options in his life and decided to make the move to Australia to pursue a career in athletics the transition, navigating accommodation, finding employment and visas to ultimately becoming an Australian citizen in 2000. After his citizenship Youcef recalls the infamous Sydney 2000 Olympic Trials 1500m race where Youcef was caught between Craig Mottram and Nick Howarth, the resulting re-run of that race while still pursuing an Olympic qualifying time. Rounding out this part of the interview Youcef shares with Brad his training structure in the early 2000s era, which emphasised on race-pace practice which earned him a Bronze medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. Youcef Abdi picks off from last week recounting his bronze medal performance at the Manchester Commonwealth Games in the 1500m in detail. After going through his personal bests, Youcef talks about what led to his transition from the 1500m to Steeplechase after the campaign for the 2004 Athens Olympics, addressing the challenges in combining hurdling with raw speed. Brad asks about training in Eldoret, Kenya at the time of their elections in the lead up to Beijing 2008 Olympics and Youcef then talks about his 6th place at the 2008 Beijing Olympics before retiring after the London 2012 Olympics, giving insight for what he attributes to having a resilient and durable running career. Youcef rounds out this interview sharing what his current life as a Development Officer for Little Athletics and coming full circle returning to soccer. Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/insiderunningpodcast Opening and Closing Music is Undercover of my Skin by Benny Walker. www.bennywalkermusic.com

In this episode of Only Business, we break down 10 powerful, unexpected business lessons from the film Training Day. From recognizing manipulation and handling pressure, to building real influence and avoiding ego-driven collapse, this deep-dive delivers real-world insights every small business owner needs. If you're growing a business and want to lead with clarity, strategy, and integrity — this episode is a must-listen.Perfect for entrepreneurs, consultants, and leaders navigating high-stakes decisions and complex relationships.

Leslie is joined by Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America's leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union. The two discuss: 1. The Wall Street Journal recently documented the stark disparity between China and America's military-industrial strength in a series of graphs. The results are downright alarming, especially as geopolitical tensions flare. The data illustrate the urgent need for the United States to take action to revitalize our domestic shipbuilding industry.  2. With tariffs coming into force,  Made in the USA marketing is surging. U.S. consumers are rejiggering their purchasing habits, as evidenced by a boom in “Made in USA” searches on e-commerce sites, and companies are more than happy to tout their “Made in USA” commitments. (From Modern Retail: “Amazon searches for the phrase shot up to 126,000 from 26,000 in the past 30 days — nearly five times the previous period.”)   3. The state of our infrastructure and energy grid is dire. It's a crisis that creates another obstacle to U.S. manufacturing's renaissance and America's competitiveness. 4. This time, the China Shock is global in nature. Beijing is flooding the world's markets with its industrial overcapacity across all categories, and job losses and bankruptcies are trailing the imports.   WEBSITE: AmericanManufacturing.org YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@AmericanMfg (where you can watch episode's of AAM's podcast, "The Manufacturing Report") (If you want to listen to episodes of "The Manufacturing Report," visit AmericanManufacturing.org/Podcast) X: 1. AAM - @KeepItMadeInUSA  2. Scott Paul - @ScottPaulAAM BlueSky: @keepitmadeinusa.bsky.social

Tensions, absences and quiet chats at Asia’s premier security summit. The US sent Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth but China left its defence minister at home for this year’s summit. CNA’s Olivia Siong and Leong Wai Kit tell Arnold Gay whether Dong Jun’s absence affected Beijing’s messaging and why the summit is similar to speed dating, with defence officials meeting and mingling to seal alliances and agreements.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 187 (Part 1 of 2) | Dr. Sally Adnams Jones has pioneered the field of art therapy as an agent of transformation and healing, choosing to work particularly with people living with no economic infrastructure: refugees, and victims of natural disasters, genocide, war, pandemics, and more. What Sally has found is that creating art within a community works miracles for the dispossessed and traumatized, in that it provides an embodied, practical method of engendering feelings of pride, a sense of belonging, finding one's voice, and perceiving the future as something one can affect and shape. In fact, this work is applicable to everyone everywhere—it is in accessing our creativity that we come to ask, “How do we start to build the world we need?” An Integral Taoist, Sally shares her perspective on the yin and yang of creativity, explaining that ultimately, creativity is emergence working through the human body.At the heart of Integral Taoism is an understanding that the nature of emergence itself is to become aware of your polarity and integrate it. The more you do that, the more creative you become. The discussion transitions from the dance of polarity in creativity to how the polarities of yin and yang are playing out in politics today. Sally is a Canadian therapist and exceptionally well informed about politics—here we gain a perspective on current U.S. – Canadian relations and world politics that is revelatory. Recorded May 29, 2025.“The basis of self-esteem is agency—and how you find agency is finding your hands, your heart, and your voice.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing Dr. Sally Adnams Jones, pioneer of transformation through creativity, psycho-spiritual educator, artist, author (00:56)How did Sally come to this work? Every kind of trauma exists in South Africa (01:58)Sally's book, Art-Making with Refugees and Survivors, is about how to access our creativity when we've been dispossessed and dislocated, with no agency left (05:11)Using your hands to access pre-verbal trauma: it starts with the thumb/hand/brain connection (07:07)Building self-esteem, pride, community, and hope through creating art (09:02)How does Sally build trust going into indigenous communities? (12:20)What happened to our creativity? In the modern era, we started discounting the right hemisphere (18:05)De-gendering creativity (20:43)Integral Taoism: understanding that the nature of emergence is to become aware of your polarity and integrate it (22:44)At the lower chakras, masculine and feminine come together as procreative; at the higher levels as creative (25:58)The ultimate understanding is about the mystery, an embodied channel to the divine (28:53)Creativity: emergence working through the human body (29:55)How do we potentiate through our body? Through understanding polarity principles (32:08)Sally's initiation to Integral Taoism in a park in Beijing, China (36:49)As an integrally informed Canadian therapist, what does Sally think about current U.S./Canada politics? (41:51)Polarization, and how polarities and yin/yang play out in politics (44:16)Resources & References – Part 1Sally Adnams Jones, Art-Making with Refugees and Survivors: Creative and Transformative Responses to Trauma After...

China has notified the World Trade Organization of its expanded zero-tariff policy for least developed countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Beijing.

Most people who leave Wall Street after twenty years either retire or find another way to make a lot of money. Chris Arnade chose to walk through cities most travelers never truly see. What emerged from this approach is a unique form of street-level sociology that has attracted a devoted following on Substack. Arnade's work suggests that our most sophisticated methods of understanding the world might be missing something essential that can only be discovered by moving slowly through space and letting strangers tell you, their stories. Tyler and Chris discuss how Beijing and Shanghai reveal different forms of authoritarian control through urban design, why Seoul's functional dysfunction makes it more appealing than Tokyo's efficiency, favorite McDonald's locations around the world, the dimensions for properly assessing a city's walkability, what Chris packs for long urban jaunts, why he's not interested in walking the countryside, what travel has taught him about people and culture, what makes the Faroe Islands and El Paso so special, where he has no desire to go, the good and bad of working on Wall Street, the role of pigeons and snapping turtles in his life, finding his 1,000 true fans on Substack, whether museums are interesting, what set him on this current journey, and more. Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links, or watch the full video on the new dedicated CWT channel. Recorded February 27th, 2025. Help keep the show ad free by donating today! Other ways to connect Follow us on X and Instagram Follow Tyler on X Follow Chris on X Sign up for our newsletter Join our Discord Email us: cowenconvos@mercatus.gmu.edu Learn more about Conversations with Tyler and other Mercatus Center podcasts here. Photo Credit: Bryan Jones

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he breaks down today's biggest stories shaping America and the world. Trump Demands Iran's Surrender as U.S. and Israeli Pressure Mounts President Trump tells the Ayatollah to surrender unconditionally, warning that his location is known and he could be targeted. Meanwhile, U.S. fighter jets arrive in the region and Israel kills Iran's new war commander just four days into the job. Mossad continues its AI-powered campaign, using digital exhaust to track and eliminate key Iranian figures. China's Mysterious Cargo Flights and Strategic Interests A Boeing 747 cargo plane has been rerouted from Europe to Iran multiple times this week, raising suspicions that China is supplying Tehran with drones or military equipment in exchange for discounted oil and methanol. Bryan explains how Beijing's covert support could backfire diplomatically across the Arab world. Congress Pushes Back Against Presidential War Powers Lawmakers from both parties, including Rep. Thomas Massie and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, propose legislation to require Trump to seek congressional approval before launching offensive military operations. America's Border Holds the Line, Californians Push Back on Benefits for Illegals Border Patrol releases zero illegal migrants into the U.S. in May, a dramatic turnaround from Biden-era figures. In California, support for taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal immigrants drops sharply after the Medi-Cal system nearly collapses. Vietnam Moves Toward U.S. Trade Alignment, China Expands in Bhutan Trump negotiates with Vietnam to cut Chinese trade dependence. Meanwhile, China continues its covert land grabs in Bhutan using herders, soldiers, and road construction to claim territory. Good News: Clean Food and Chronic Pain Relief General Mills and Kraft Heinz will remove artificial colors from their foods by 2027. In Norway, researchers find that walking 100 to 120 minutes per day significantly reduces chronic lower back pain. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." – John 8:32   Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code TWR using the link or at check-out and get 60% off an annual plan: Incogni.com/TWR

In 2014, the writer Christopher Beam published a humorous, heartwarming story in The New Republic about an unlikely team of American football enthusiasts in Chongqing who went on to defeat their archrivals in Shanghai to win a championship. The piece was optioned by Sony Pictures, and had some big names attached, but was ultimately never made — not, at least, by an American studio. Eleven years later, Chris has written about a film that was made: Clash, produced by iQiyi, hit theaters in China earlier this year and followed the Chongqing Dockers in the same story arc, but with important and telling differences. His new story was published in The Atlantic, and he talks to me about the Dockers and the long, strange story of the film that wasn't and the one that was.03:50 – The Meaning of Chinese YOLO05:33 – Chris's First Meeting With the Chongqing Team13:11 – Chris McLaurin's Background15:54 – American Football as a Symbol of Masculinity19:50 – The Failed Hollywood Adaptation25:34 – First Impressions of the Film31:55 – Bridging Perspectives: Can a Movie Speak To Both Sides?36:42 – A Lost Moment in GlobalizationPaying it Forward: Viola ZhouRecommendations: Chris: Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte (short story collection)Kaiser: Becoming Led Zeppelin (documentary); the Beijing-based artist Michael Cherney.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week's podcast episode is an insightful interview with Lisa Li, the founder of The Qi, a company dedicated to flower teas. Conducted in a serene New York City space, the discussion explores Lisa's personal health journey—from a challenging thyroid disease that was healed through Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to her subsequent decision to create naturally caffeine-free herbal teas due to her sensitivity to caffeine.  She highlights the medicinal properties and energetic balance of various flower teas, such as goji berries, chrysanthemum, and rose, explaining their roles as anti-inflammatory, detoxing, and nourishing agents. The interview delves into the philosophies of Eastern culinary traditions, emphasizing "light and gentle" flavors that support digestive health, contrasting them with Western preferences for "extra" flavors. A significant part of the conversation focuses on the importance of self-care and evening rituals for better sleep, advocating for herbal teas as a healthy alternative to addictive sleeping aids. Lisa also introduces several of The Qi's specific tea blends, explaining their benefits, ingredients, and the careful formulation process guided by TCM principles.  Check out the show notes at https://thisismodernaging.com/podcast/ ABOUT LISA As a child who grew up Northeast of Beijing, I drank a lot of teas with my grandma. And those moments were some of the most nourishing and healing times of my life. Holistic wellness for me as a child was much like brunch… it was simply a way of a joyful life. After feeling stressed, anxious, and burnt out from working in the notoriously grueling fashion industry for 10+ years I desperately wanted to go back to a time and place where taking care of myself was simple and wonderful. In the beginning of 2018 I took a transformative trip with my mom to Shangri-la, Yunnan where I discovered the Rose tea the locals enjoy. It was so unique and special - it was like nothing I've ever had, it transported me to a whole new floral paradise universe.  After tasting and testing over 100 flowering herbs and tens of thousands miles more traveled to source the finest ones The Qi was born. To bring you the most beautiful sensory tea ritual for a daily dose of Zen, beauty, and nourishment.

In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Dr. Ely Ratner joins us to discuss the case for a defense pact in the Indo-Pacific. Dr. Ratner starts by laying out his argument of why he thinks now is the right time for this type of agreement, discussing that the pact may serve to help maintain stability and deterrence in the region amidst China's aggressive ambitions to reshape the global order. Dr. Ratner discusses the four countries, U.S., Japan, Australia, and the Philippines, that he believes the pact will include to start with and what their responsibilities will be within the pact. He shares that he envisions one of the main features of this partnership to be greater military integration among its members and to serve as a framework to garner the collective power of US allies and partners through a multilateral collective security agreement. Dr. Ratner discusses the viability of the pact and the reasons he thinks there are more opportunities for the pact to be successful now than there was in the past, including greater strategic alignment among the four partner countries, increased intra-Asian cooperation, and the growing reciprocity in U.S. alliances themselves. Dr. Ratner also considers how these different countries may respond to the idea of this pact, especially considering China may react badly to it. He underscores that Beijing is likely to behave badly regardless of this pact and states countries should not turn away from it because of Beijing. Finally, Dr. Ratner underscores how this pact would not require the U.S. to extend new commitments abroad and describes the continuing will and desire he sees from the Trump Administration to continue cooperation and strengthening of alliances in the region. Dr. Ely Ratner is a Principal at The Marathon Initiative, a bipartisan think tank dedicated to preparing the United States for an era of sustained great power competition. He served as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs from 2021-2025. Prior to confirmation, he was the Director of the DoD China Task Force and a Senior Advisor to China to the Secretary of Defense. Before arriving at the Department of Defense, Dr. Ratner was the Executive Vice President and Director of Studies at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), where he was a member of the executive team and responsible for managing the Center's research agenda and staff. Dr. Ratner served from 2015 to 2017 as the Deputy National Security advisor to Vice President Joe Biden, and from 2011 to 2012 in the office of Chinese and Mongolian affairs at the State Department. He earned his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley.

In this episode, Sydney Hunt ('23 cohort) interviews Willie Thompson ('22 cohort), one of the original creators of Imagine a World, and a person whose presence will be deeply missed within the Knight-Hennessy Scholars community. Throughout the episode, he reflects on what it means to be in community with others and how that has looked for him from where he grew up to his time as a husband and father at Stanford as part of the Knight-Hennessy Scholars community.Don't miss: A surprise visit by another person who played a pivotal role in the creation of the Imagine a World podcast: Taylor Goss ('21 cohort).Highlights from the episode:(02:46) Imagine a World/Denning House-style guessing game(05:54) Surprise visit from Taylor Goss(07:18) Growing up in the Deep South, going to Morehouse College, spending a year in Taiwan as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant, spending a year in Beijing as a Schwarzman Scholar, and working at The Bridgespan Group (11:29) Things Willie liked to do in his communities growing up and the inspiration behind his interest in education(15:51) Wanting to start a school(19:49) His experiences in high school leading up to Morehouse and how he was able to form a tight-knit community with his peers at Morehouse(29:25) Deciding to apply to Fulbright and Schwarzman(33:55) Elaborating on his Imagine a World statement(41:48) Being in the Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars community and being in community as a father, husband, and a Knight-Hennessy Scholar (47:19) Value of mixing fields and programs while at Stanford(54:44) Improbable facts, five favorite albums of all time, and Willie's walk-on song

Oil climbed and most stocks in Asia followed losses on Wall Street as concerns mounted that an escalation of tensions in the Middle East will trigger a more direct US involvement. West Texas Intermediate crude rose as much as 1.1% in early trading Wednesday after settling at the highest in almost five months the previous day. US equity futures slipped, as did Australia’s benchmark index and Hong Kong futures.Staying with geopolitics, The White House's review of the Aukus pact — a security arrangement between the US, UK and Australia — is rattling one of Washington’s closest alliances, and playing right into China’s hands. It sends yet another signal that America First might just mean everyone else alone. First announced by former President Joe Biden in 2021, the multibillion-dollar deal commits Washington and London to help Canberra develop a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines over a 30-year period. It was designed to help counter Beijing’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. For more, we turn to Bloomberg Opinion columnist Karishma Vaswani. Plus - Federal Reserve officials are widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged for a fourth straight meeting on Wednesday, reiterating they want more clarity on the economic impact of a wide array of government policy changes before adjusting borrowing costs. Policymakers have warned President Donald Trump’s tariffs could boost inflation and unemployment, but so far, steady hiring and cooling inflation have allowed Fed officials to keep rates unchanged this year. We speak to Bill Campbell, Global Bond Portfolio Manager at DoubleLine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, hosts Chad Sowash and Joel Cheesman interview Patrick McGee, a former Financial Times reporter and author of Apple in China: The Capture of the World's Greatest Company. The discussion delves into McGee's book, which explores Apple's transformative relationship with China, its massive investments, and the unintended consequences for global tech and geopolitics. The interview covers McGee's research process, Apple's control over its narrative, the scale of its investments in China, and the broader implications for manufacturing, workforce development and U.S.-China relations. Timeline Just give me the main bullet points, without the Key Points and Key Points McGee's Background (00:29–02:08): McGee's Financial Times reporting in Hong Kong, Germany, and on Apple shaped Apple in China, focusing on China's authoritarianism, supply chains, and Apple's operations. Research Process (02:08–05:00): Over 200 interviews and 1,000+ pages of unreported Apple documents reveal novel insights into manufacturing, bypassing Apple's product-focused narrative. Apple's Narrative Control (05:00–08:31): Apple steers media toward product features, obscuring key figures like Isabel Gamahi and critical China operations. Apple's Investment (2013–2016) (08:31–15:16): Beijing's 2013 media attacks led to a $55 billion annual investment by 2015, with Cook's $275 billion pledge in 2016, likened to double the Marshall Plan. China's Workforce (Pre-2016) (15:16–17:08): Apple trained 28 million workers, enabling competitors like Huawei, with China realizing this impact in 2016. Apple vs. Other Tech (Pre-2016) (17:08–20:11): As a hardware company, Apple followed other electronics firms to China, unlike content-focused Google, Amazon, and Facebook. U.S. Oversight (2016–Present) (20:11–24:32): U.S. was unaware of Apple's investments; Apple's training model could inspire U.S. vocational revival. Automation Challenges (Present) (24:32–30:06): China's dominance in materials and robotics makes U.S. onshoring unlikely; tariffs disrupt without solutions. Vocational Training (Present) (30:06–33:58): Apple's China training, akin to Germany's system, empowered Chinese firms; U.S. could adopt similar models. Geopolitical Outlook (Present–2025) (33:58–39:02): India's role is limited; China's manufacturing dominance persists, with Apple's AI lag adding risk. EVs and China's Lead (2019–Present) (39:02–42:46): Tesla's 2019 operations boosted China's EV dominance; West struggles with battery supply chain control. Book Promotion (42:46–43:37): Apple in China available on Amazon, Bookshop.org, Apple Books; appleinchina.com offers more details.

In this episode, Dr. Joy Kong sits down with hormone and integrative medicine specialist Dr. Sara Amirmehrabi of Chara Health to uncover what most doctors overlook: that many modern women's struggles with mood, memory, weight gain, and intimacy may be rooted in hormone imbalances—not just lifestyle or aging.As part of the Chara Health team, Dr. Sara Amir brings her functional, root-cause approach to hormone replacement therapy, helping patients reclaim energy, joy, and clarity. She and Dr. Joy dive deep into the latest science on perimenopause, estrogen receptors in the brain, and why a tailored HRT protocol can be life-changing for women at any age.Whether you're in your 30s and feeling off or postmenopausal and afraid to try hormones again, this episode offers science-backed hope. You'll also learn how regenerative medicine like stem cells and peptides can enhance and amplify the effects of hormone therapy—creating a true foundation for anti-aging and vitality.If you've ever been told “everything looks normal” but you know something's not right, this conversation is for you.Additional Resources:Visit My Clinic: Chara Health

“Let me tell you about the very rich”, Scott Fitzgerald once said. “They are different from you and me”. One way they are different, the New Yorker staff writer Evan Osnos reports, is that they own yachts - very very big, expensive yachts. In The Haves and The Have-Yachts, Osnos' dispatches about today's ultrarich, he takes us on board these boats to reveal the obscenity of our new gilded age. From Mark Zuckerberg's obsession with Augustus Caesar to the thin-skinned grievances of figures like Marc Andreessen and Elon Musk, Osnos explores how the personal quirks and anxieties of just 19 American plutocrats - the 0.00001% - are now reshaping our entire society. He argues we're living in an era of "flamboyant oligarchy," where billionaires openly flaunt their wealth. Citing the extraordinary tableau of tech moguls lining up in homage to Trump at his inauguration, Osnos describes our age as "the complete and total fusion of politics and plutocracy in the United States." five key takeaways1. We're Living in an Era of "Flamboyant Oligarchy" Unlike past wealthy elites who stayed hidden ("a whale that never surfaces doesn't get harpooned"), today's billionaires openly compete for attention and flaunt their wealth, fundamentally changing the relationship between extreme wealth and public life.2. Just 19 People Could Control 18% of America's Wealth The 0.00001% - currently 19 Americans - control 1.8% of national wealth today. If current trends continue, this could reach 18% within 40 years, representing an unprecedented concentration of economic power in human history.3. Personal Quirks Have Massive Social Consequences Billionaires' individual obsessions and blind spots shape society at scale - from Facebook being blue because Zuckerberg is colorblind, to his Augustus Caesar fixation influencing how he thinks about power and empire-building.4. The Complete Fusion of Politics and Plutocracy Trump's inauguration, featuring tech moguls "lined up in homage," represents the total merger of political and economic power in America - what Osnos calls a "sultanistic oligarchy" where billionaires have elevated Trump to rule on their behalf.5. Billionaires Are Surprisingly Thin-Skinned and Aggrieved Despite their wealth, figures like Musk and Andreessen are easily offended and resentful about public criticism, leading them not to retreat but to actively seek control over politics and media to reshape the narrative in their favor. BiographyEvan Lionel Richard Osnos (born December 24, 1976) is an American journalist and author who has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 2008, specializing in politics and foreign affairs coverage in the United States and China. Osnos continues to be one of America's most prominent foreign correspondents and political journalists, known for his deep reporting and narrative storytelling that bridges international and domestic affairs.Current PositionsOsnos is currently a staff writer at The New Yorker, a CNN contributor, and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, based in Washington D.C.Early Life and EducationOsnos was born in London when his parents, Susan (née Sherer) Osnos and Peter L.W. Osnos, were visiting from Moscow, where his father was assigned as a correspondent for The Washington Post. He graduated with high honors from Harvard University with a Bachelor's Degree. Career HighlightsEarly Career: In 2002, he was assigned to the Middle East, where he covered the Iraq War and reported from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iran, and elsewhere. In 2005, he became the China correspondent. Chicago Tribune: Prior to The New Yorker, he worked as the Beijing bureau chief of the Chicago Tribune, where he contributed to a series that won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting. The New Yorker: Osnos joined The New Yorker in September 2008 and served as the magazine's China correspondent until 2013, maintaining a regular blog called "Letter from China" and writing articles about China's young neoconservatives, the Fukushima nuclear meltdown, and the Wenzhou train crash. Major Publications* "Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China" (2014): Won the 2014 National Book Award for nonfiction and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. * "Joe Biden: The Life, the Run, and What Matters Now" (2020): Published in October 2020, based on lengthy interviews with Biden and revealing conversations with more than a hundred others, including President Barack Obama. * "Wildland: The Making of America's Fury" (2021): Published in September 2021, about profound cultural and political changes occurring between September 11, 2001, and January 6, 2021. The book was a New York Times bestseller. * "The Haves and Have-Yachts: Dispatches on the Ultrarich" (2025): His latest book, published in June 2025, exploring American oligarchy and the culture of excess. Awards and RecognitionOsnos has received the Asia Society's Osborn Elliott Prize for Excellence in Journalism on Asia, the Livingston Award for Young Journalists, and a Mirror Award for profile-writing. He received two awards from the Overseas Press Club and the Osborn Elliott Prize for excellence in journalism from the Asia Society. Personal LifeHe has been married to Sarabeth Berman since July 9, 2011. He lives with his wife and children near Washington, This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

Teams from China used to dominate international hacking competitions, until Beijing ordered them to stop attending and take part only in domestic tournaments.On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Jamie Tarabay about how tournaments are helping boost China’s cyber-espionage capabilities and what that means for the world. Read more: Chinese Hacking Competitions Fuel the Country’s Broad Cyber Ambitions - Bloomberg Further listening: The ‘Everything, Everywhere, All at Once’ Cyber Threat Watch, from Originals: How China Is Building an Army of HackersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last time we spoke about the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. On July 7, 1937, tensions escalated between Japan and China as the Japanese military conducted a training exercise near the Marco Polo Bridge. During the exercise, gunfire erupted, sowing confusion and leading to the unexplained disappearance of one soldier. This incident prompted Japan to demand permission to search the nearby city of Wanping, which was denied by Chinese forces, escalating tensions further. By the next day, Japanese troops attacked, resulting in fierce fighting at the bridge. Under heavy assault, Chinese defenders fought valiantly but faced overwhelming force. As the conflict intensified, both sides struggled with heavy casualties, leading to the full-scale Sino-Japanese War. The Japanese military's aggressive maneuvers and the determined Chinese resistance marked the beginning of a brutal conflict, forever altering the landscape of East Asia. The profound toll on both nations foreshadowed the horrors of war that were to come, as China prepared to defend its sovereignty against a relentless enemy.   #155 Operation Chahar 1937 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. By the end of July of 1937 the Japanese had overwhelmed the Beiping-Tianjin region. It's pretty understandable as to how this came so fast. As we have discussed thoroughly in this series, the Japanese had gradually seized control over Northern China going back to Operation Nekka in 1933. Little by little they had carved it out. Typically when you pull out a map of a war between two nations, one nation pierces into the other and gradually seizes control of key locations until it archives victory. However with the case of the outset of the Second Sino-Japanese War its more like the Japanese are starting at multiple key locations where they have concessions, treaties or where there are autonomous regions. Thus its honestly a huge headache to follow. When the Marco Polo Bridge Incident broke out, Chiang Kai-Shek had been in Kuling, a mountain top resort where he spent his summer vacations. He received the news with composure, but his message to the nation conveyed a sense of optimism and anticipation. The embarrassment of the Sian mutiny was a thing of the past. Although he wasn't overly confident, he believed that this was the pivotal moment China had been preparing for, more so than at any time in recent years. For nearly three weeks, efforts were made to resolve the situation through diplomatic means. For the first time, Chiang was in a position to make demands. He understood they would likely be rejected, but that wasn't the main point. He asked Japan to acknowledge its responsibility for the recent turmoil, to issue an apology, and to provide compensation. After making that request, he addressed his nation with a formal commitment: China would not accept any settlement that compromised its sovereign rights or territorial integrity. No changes would be permitted regarding the status of the Hubei-Chahar Council, and local officials would not be reassigned at the request of any foreign government. Any restrictions on the Twenty-ninth Army's positions would be unacceptable. He declared that the era of Japanese expansion in North China had come to a definitive end. The Japanese army achieved significant victories on the battlefield in China, leading to the inevitable expansion of the conflict. The first major campaign following the Nanyuan victory unfolded along the mountainous border marked by the inner Great Wall, separating northern Hubei from Chahar. On the Jinpu Railway, just south of Tianjin, lies a small station known as Jinghai. Adjacent to this station is the Jian River, which had swollen to a width of 20 meters due to intermittent heavy rains in northern China after the Japanese army's occupation of Tianjin. The embankments on either side of the river were overgrown with dense reeds and grass, and a wooden arch bridge spanned the river. After landing at Dagukou in Tianjin, the 10th Division, commanded by Lieutenant General Rensuke Isogai, advanced south along the Jinpu Railway. However, as the vanguard, the 10th Regiment of the 33rd Brigade made its way through the muddy terrain towards the Jian River's wooden bridge, they were suddenly taken aback. A group of Chinese soldiers appeared, their faces vividly painted red and armed with long-handled broadswords, a sight reminiscent of the legendary Chinese figure Guan Yu, as depicted in many traditional portraits. These soldiers belonged to the 26th Independent Brigade of the 38th Division of the 29th Army, who were in retreat from Tianjin. Following the city's fall, they had retreated southward to Jinghai Station, where they prepared to make a stand. Brigade Commander Li Zhiyuan recognized their inferior numbers and weaponry compared to the Japanese forces. Drawing from painful lessons learned during the positional battles in Tianjin, he decided to divide his troops strategically: one battalion would defend the station, another would protect the county town, and a third would engage in guerrilla tactics along the Jinpu Road. If faced with a small number of Japanese soldiers, they would fight fiercely; if overwhelmed, they would attempt to encircle the attackers to prevent a direct assault on their main position. Despite the Japanese army's attempts to advance, including efforts to send an armored train into Jinghai Station, the Chinese soldiers cleverly laid straw on the tracks and buried mines, thwarting the train's progress. Once Japanese troops disembarked to mount an offensive, they were ambushed by the battalion executing guerrilla tactics, resulting in a chaotic retreat that left behind several dozen casualties. Over the course of weeks, the divisional headquarters ordered a battalion of Japanese troops to move south along the Jinpu Road, requiring them to cross the Jian River at the wooden bridge. The 26th Independent Brigade was assigned to halt this advance, and they managed to hold their ground for over 20 days. Recognizing the gravity of their situation, Brigade Commander Li Zhiyuan gathered his group and battalion commanders to emphasize the necessity of pushing back the Japanese forces. He passionately rallied them, declaring, “We must defend this river to the death. Each regiment will select a death squad. Each member will carry a long-handled broadsword and four grenades, paint their faces red and rush across the bridge to engage in melee combat!” When Li asked for volunteers to lead the death squad, the regiment commander, Zhu, eagerly stepped forward, quickly gathering a group that followed him, uniting passionately in their cause. The death squad charged across the bridge, catching the Japanese off guard with their war paint and weapons. The sudden attack left the Japanese soldiers dazed, leading to a chaotic retreat as they struggled through the muddy terrain. In the tumult, more than 200 long-handled swords struck down a significant number of Japanese troops. Those advancing from behind panicked at the sight of their retreating comrades. An officer, dismounted during the chaos, was left behind, and the Chinese soldiers, filled with zeal, pressed forward, ignoring the orders from Brigade Commander Li Zhiyuan to fall back for their own safety. Despite moments of heroism, many fell that day by the Jian River, as the officers and soldiers burned their boats and set fire to the wooden bridge, rendering retreat impossible. As the Japanese military consolidated its power in the Pingjin region, many leaders underestimated the tenacity of Chinese resistance. Plans were made to defeat the Chinese army and air force swiftly, aiming to resolve the issue in North China decisively, with no diplomatic negotiations or external interventions allowed during military operations. Now, in late July to early August, Chiang Kai-shek issued orders to improve defenses at Nankou. He mobilized Tang Enbo's 13th Army in Suidong for battle readiness, tasked Liu Ruming to sabotage railways, and directed Fu Zuoyi and Yan Xishan in Suiyuan to prepare for conflict. Troops were reorganized rapidly, with divisions merging to strengthen the 17th Army under Liu Ruming's command. Chiang insisted that Nankou's defenses be deep and wide to thwart enemy cavalry and tank assaults, rendering Japanese mechanized advantages ineffective. He called for close cooperation among commanders and a resolute defense. Tang Enbo's 13th Army, consisted of the 4th and 89th Divisions, whom established defensive positions along the Peiping-Suiyuan Railway at Nankou, with additional units positioned further back at Juyongguan. The 13th Army, was 20,000 men strong, all motivated soldiers committed to fighting the Japanese, but their equipment was woefully inadequate. The 89th Division had a few outdated artillery pieces, whilst other units were in even worse condition, hampering their effectiveness against the well-armed Japanese forces. Liu's 17th Army stationed its 84th Division at Chihcheng, Yanqing, and Longguan, effectively securing the flank of the 13th Army against potential Japanese advances from Chahar. The 21st Division was deployed in Huailai, situated along the railway to the rear of Tang's forces. Additionally, Zhao Chengshou's 1st Cavalry Army, Liu 's 143rd Division, and two Peace Preservation Brigades commenced an offensive against Mongol forces in northern Chahar. As the Japanese launched initial assaults on Nankou on August 4, fierce fighting erupted. The Chinese defenders fought valiantly, but heavy bombardments by artillery and air raids took a toll. The Japanese began using tanks to support their infantry, yet the 530th Regiment successfully repelled an attack at Deshengkou. Meanwhile, the Japanese intensified their efforts, culminating in poison gas assaults that overwhelmed Chinese positions on Longhutai, leading to significant losses. Despite the escalating pressure and casualties, the determination to hold Nankou was unwavering. On August 5, the Kwantung Army requested permission for the advance guard to move to Changpei, arguing that the Central Army's invasion of Chahar had jeopardized the security of Manchukuo. This request was denied, yet the advance guard proceeded to Changpei on August 8. This unauthorized movement by the Kwantung Army was a serious act of defiance, as Tolun lay outside Manchukuo's borders, and troop deployments required imperial authorization. Although imperial sanction had been obtained for the move to Tolun on July 28, permission for the advance guard to proceed was only granted retroactively, with the stipulation that they would not advance further into Inner Mongolia. Nevertheless, this unauthorized action ultimately compelled the high command to approve the advance to Changpei. On August 7, the Japanese army launched a large assault on Nankou with its three main divisions, aiming to breach the Great Wall and advance westward along the Pingsui Railway to flank the strategic city of Shanxi. By August 8, the Japanese forces that had captured Beiping and Tianjin deployed the entire 20th Division, commanded by Lieutenant General Kawagishi Fumisaburo, and supplemented their efforts with the 5th and 10th Divisions, along with the Sakai Brigade, to attack Nankou along the Pingsui Railway. On August 8, the Japanese 11th Independent Mixed Brigade, led by General Shigiyasu Suzuki, initiated an attack on the left flank of the 13th Corps' position at Nankou. However, their efforts were halted after three days due to challenging terrain and the determined resistance from Chinese forces.  On the same day, Chiang Kai-shek ordered the activation of the 14th Group Army, comprising the 10th, 83rd, and 85th Divisions, under General Wei Lihuang. Elements of the 14th Group Army traveled by rail from Yingchia-chuang to Yi County and then embarked on a ten-day march through the plains west of Beiping to flank and support Tang Enbo's forces. Meanwhile, the Chinese 1st Army Region launched attacks against the Japanese in Liangxiang and Chaili to divert their attention and dispatched a detachment to Heilung Pass to cover the advance of the 14th Group Army. On August 9, the central high command ordered the China Garrison Army to eliminate resistance in the area and instructed Kwantung Army Commander Ueda Kenkichi to send reinforcements from Jehol and Inner Mongolia to support the operation. The China Garrison Army deployed its 11th Independent Mixed Brigade and the 5th Division, recently arrived from Hiroshima under Lieutenant-General Itagaki Seishirö, to launch an attack on the mountainous regions around Nankou and Pataling within the Great Wall. Following intense fighting, they succeeded in crossing into Chahar.    The Kwantung Army aimed to conquer Chahar and, upon receiving approval from the Japanese General Staff, established an expeditionary headquarters on August 14, led by its chief of staff, Lieutenant General Tojo Hideki. Yes that Tojo. Tokyo's objective was to secure the strategic flank of Manchukuo, while the Kwantung Army sought to create puppet regimes in northern China and integrate the occupied territories into a Japanese sphere of influence. The Chahar Expeditionary Force comprised three mixed brigades, including Japan's only fully mechanized unit, which was equipped with medium tanks, heavy and light armored vehicles, and light tanks. The Japanese troops shifted their main attack toward Zhangjiakou via the Pingsui Railway due to pressures from the Kwantung Army eager to occupy Inner Mongolia, Suiyuan, and Chahar. They sought to eliminate threats from the rear before launching further operations along the Pinghan Line and Jinpu Line. The 11th Independent Mixed Brigade of the 20th Division of the Chinese Garrison Army was ordered to assault Chinese defenders in the Nankou area, with the goal of capturing key locations on the Great Wall, like Badaling, to facilitate the Fifth Division's advance. The Chinese assessed the Japanese strategy, believing they would first secure critical points along the Pingsui route to facilitate further incursions into Shanxi and Zhengding. They understood that holding the Nankou line was vital for both logistical support and tactical maneuvering. Nankou, a key town on the Pingsui Railway connecting Beijing to Zhangjiakou and Baotou, was surrounded by mountains and the Great Wall, marking it a significant natural defense line. As the Japanese army aimed to capture Zhangjiakou and divide their forces into Shanxi and Suiyuan, the Chinese army's control over Nankou became crucial. A renewed assault on August 11, bolstered by tanks and aircraft, successfully captured Nankou Station, allowing General Suzuki's brigade to advance toward Juyong Pass. On August 12, Tang Enbo's army launched a counterattack, encircling the Japanese forces and severing their supply and communication lines. That day, Tang Enbo sent a telegram to Luo Fanggui: “Brother Fanggui, Commander Luo of the 529th Regiment, I have received your telegram. Your regiment has recently defeated formidable enemies, laying the groundwork for our army's future victories. Your efforts bring me great relief! The Nankou position is critical to our nation's war of resistance. Despite the enemy's numerical superiority and fierce artillery fire, we cannot surrender this area. It is our fighting spirit, not our numbers or advanced weaponry, that will help us withstand these powerful foes. We vow never to abandon our positions. Life is transient, and we must embrace our fate. A hero perishing on the battlefield is the glorious destiny of a soldier.” On the same day, he also sent a telegram to Wang Zhonglian: “Brother Jieren Wang, commander of the 89th Division, I have read your telegram. Brigade Li has triumphed against formidable foes, establishing a precedent for our army's victory. Your successes bring me much comfort! The Nankou position is our glorious objective. If I perish, the country lives on. If I survive, the country perishes. We would rather die defending this position than live in disgrace. Please convey to all the officers and soldiers of your division, who share in this struggle, the importance of striving for victory!” On August 13, Tang Enbo ordered the defensive positions at Nankou to be abandoned as the remaining troops pulled back to stronger positions at Badaling and Juyongguan. Renowned journalist Fan Changjiang noted Tang Enbo's physical and emotional toll, describing him as a mere shadow of his former self after enduring relentless battles without rest. His subsequent thoughts and fears reflected the despair of facing insurmountable odds, with the Japanese army overwhelming the Nankou defenses. Casualty reports from the Battle of Nankou reveal stark discrepancies; average estimates suggest Chinese losses neared 26,000, while Japanese casualties were around 2,600,an alarming ratio of 10 to 1. Despite the devastating defeat, Tang Enbo's leadership gained national recognition for his efforts, though he viewed the loss of Nankou as a blemish on an otherwise honorable defense. The indomitable spirit displayed during the relentless struggle at Nankou, despite the defeat and challenges faced, inspired a sense of resilience among the Chinese people, reminding them that even in dire circumstances, they would not yield to oppression. Meanwhile in response to having their supply and communication lines severed, on August 14, Seishirō Itagaki dispatched the 5th Division to relieve the 11th Independent Mixed Brigade at Juyonggua. Fu Zuoyi's troops attacked Chahar from Suidong. Dong Qiwu 's troops attacked Shangdu and recaptured it on the 14th, while Shi Yushan 's troops attacked Dehua and recaptured it on the 16th. By the 16, Itagaki had arrived at Nankou and initiated an enveloping assault targeting the right flank of the 13th Army, executing a five-pronged attack at Huanglaoyuan. In anticipation, the 7th Brigade of the 4th Division, commanded by Shi Jue, was positioned to counter this maneuver. Reinforcements, including Li Xianzhou's 21st Division and Zhu Huaibing's 94th Division, were brought in, resulting in several days of intense fighting. On August 17, General Yan Xishan, Director of the Taiyuan Pacification Headquarters, ordered the 7th Group Army, commanded by Fu Zuoyi, to move the 72nd Division and three additional brigades by rail from Datong to Huailai to support Tang Enbo's forces. Chiang Kai-shek urged steadfastness in the face of adversity, emphasizing that retreat was not an option. But with communication breakdowns and logistical challenges, Tang Enbo faced dilemmas that would lead him to issue the order for his troops to break out on August 26. As the Japanese army occupied Huailai and Yanqing, Tang Enbo's forces executed a withdrawal, retreating via various routes before suffering further losses.  Meanwhile Liu Ruming's troops of the 143rd Division of the 29th Army took Zhangbei from Zhangjiakou . Proceed to Wanquan Dam , the junction of Wanquan and Zhangbei. The members of the pseudo-Mongolian military government fled to Duolun under the leadership of King De . In order to relieve the danger in Zhangjiakou, Liu Ruming's troops began to attack the enemy in Zhangbei. On August 20, they captured key points such as Bolicai Village outside Zhangbei City. At this time, the mechanized troops of the Japanese Kwantung Army led by Hideki Tojo rushed from Rehe to support Zhangbei. When passing through Guyuan, they were divided into two groups: one group of Japanese troops, the Suzuki Brigade and Homma Brigade went south to attack Zhangjiakou. On the night of August 21, the Chinese army retreated to Shenweitai, 25 kilometers south of Zhangbei County. On August 22, the Japanese army began its attack. Shenwei Tower fell at midnight on the 23rd. At the same time, another part of the Japanese army launched a roundabout attack on Wanquan County. On the morning of August 24, they captured Wanquan County, and then headed straight for Zhangjiakou along the highway with an infantry regiment and an artillery battalion. From August 25 to 27, the Japanese army attacked Bajiaotai, the highest point of Cir Mountain west of Zhangjiakou. At noon on the 27th, Zhangjiakou fell. Gao Guizi's 17th Army marched to Dushikou to resist the enemy from Duolun Akagi and Longguan and intercepted the Pingsui Railway. Gao Guizi's troops failed to withstand the Japanese attack, and the 301st Regiment of the 29th Army stationed in Xuanhua also retreated southward. On August 28, Xuanhua fell into the hands of the enemy. Meanwhile, in northern Chahar, the Chinese 1st Cavalry Army successfully captured Shangdu, Nanhaochan, Shangyi, and Huade from the puppet Mongolian Army led by Demchugdongrub. Elements of the 143rd Division secured Zhongli, while the main force advanced to Zhangbei. During this Chinese offensive, the Japanese Chahar Expeditionary Force, consisting of the mechanized 1st Independent Mixed Brigade along with the 2nd and 15th Mixed Brigades, prepared for a counteroffensive from Zhangbei to Kalgan. Tojo personally commanded the units of the 1st Independent Mixed Brigade during Operation Chahar, which would serve as his only real combat service for his career. From August 18 to 19, the Chahar Expeditionary Force launched a counterattack from Zhangbei, capturing Shenweitaiko on the Great Wall and the Hanno Dam. The scattered and ill-equipped Chinese forces were unable to halt the Japanese advance, which now threatened the Peking–Suiyuan Railway at Kalgan. On August 20, General Fu Zuoyi's 7th Group Army diverted its 200th and 211th Brigades, which had been moving south by rail to join General Tang Enbo's forces, back to defend Kalgan. Fu's remaining 72nd Division arrived to reinforce Chenpien, while his 7th Separate Brigade was dispatched to protect the railhead at Huailai.On August 21, the Japanese forces breached the defenses at the villages of Henglingcheng and Chenbiancheng. General Tang Enbo's forces, awaiting reinforcements but having suffered over 50% casualties, continued to defend Huailai, Juyong Pass, and Yanqing. Liu Ruming's 143rd Division retreated to safeguard Kalgan from the advancing Japanese troops. On August 23, as Seishirō Itagaki's 5th Division advanced toward Huailai from Chenpien against Ma Yenshou's 7th Separate Brigade, advance elements of the 14th Army Group arrived on the Japanese flank at Chingpaikou. They successfully drove off the Japanese outpost and made contact with Japanese forces advancing toward Chenpien. However, delays in crossing the Yongding River postponed their attack until it was too late to halt the Japanese advance. Due to poor communications, they also failed to coordinate with General Tang Enbo's forces during the battle. After eight days and nights of fierce fighting, on August 24, Itagaki linked up with the Kwantung Army's 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade at Xiahuayuan. By August 24, the Japanese army breached the defensive line of the Chinese defenders' Wang Wanling Division along the western Hengling, crossed the Great Wall, and advanced into the Huailai area. At this time, the Japanese forces attacking Zhangjiakou from Chabei also secured control of the railway line west of Zhangjiakou, posing a significant threat to the Chinese defenders at Nankou. On August 25, the Chinese defenders were compelled to withdraw from Nankou and retreat to Juyongguan. By August 27, they received orders to break out and relocate southward, completely evacuating the Nankou battlefield. Since Wei Lihuang's troops lost their intended target for reinforcement and Baoding along the Pinghan Line was in a state of emergency, they engaged the enemy in the Wanping area for over a month before retreating south. Following the abandonment of both Nankou and Juyongguan, the Japanese army invaded Huailai City on the night of August 27. The Chinese army suffered over 16,000 casualties, while the Japanese army reported more than 15,000 casualties. On August 26, General Tang Enbo's forces were ordered to break out toward the Sangchien River, while Liu Ruming's troops were directed to withdraw to the opposite side of the Hsiang-yang River. On August 29, a Japanese unit known as the Oui Column by the Chinese and the Ohizumi Detachment by the Japanese launched an attack. According to Hsu Long-hsuen, this unit moved south from Tushihkou, and on August 30, it attacked Yenching via Chihcheng but was repelled by the Chinese 17th Army. The unit had moved to Guyuan by August 25 and reached Xuanhua by September 7, effectively cutting the railway behind Tang's forces and east of the Chinese defenders along the Great Wall. Following the repulsion of the Oui Column's attack, the Chinese 17th Army withdrew to join the rest of Tang Enbo's forces on the far side of the Sangchien River. Kalgan fell to the Japanese on August 27. After General Fu Zuoyi's 200th and 211th Brigades failed in their counterattack to recapture Kalgan, Fu's forces retreated to the west to defend the railway to Suiyuan at Chaikoupao.  On August 30, the army high command ordered the task force and the China Garrison Army to occupy Chahar Province. The North China Area Army deployed Lieutenant General Itagaki Seishiro's Fifth Division, the theater's strategic reserve, for this operation. The Japanese forces relied on armored units to breach Chinese defenses and utilized rail lines to transport troops and supplies effectively to critical locations throughout Chahar. Although the First Independent Mixed Brigade's tanks and armored cars demonstrated proficiency, the Kwantung Army's assessment of the operation criticized the armored units for their lack of shock effect and frequent mechanical breakdowns. Additionally, these vehicles required significant supplies and maintenance, leading the army to deem them ineffective in combat situations. The Second Air Group provided crucial support for the ground offensive in Chahar. From mid-August, this air group, stationed in Chengde and Jingzhou, conducted bombing raids on enemy positions and transport routes, performed reconnaissance missions, and even airdropped supplies to encircled Japanese forces. To match the rapid advance of the mechanized ground forces, air units were repositioned to advanced airfields. After bombing Taiyuan in late August, some units returned to their home bases, leaving behind two fighter squadrons and two heavy bomber squadrons, which formed a provisional air regiment. By mid-September, the Fifth Division and the Chahar Expeditionary Force were advancing southwest through the rugged mountains of Shanxi Province and captured Datong on September 13. Five days later, anticipating a decisive battle, Lieutenant General Katsuki ordered the Fifth Division to pivot southeast toward Baoding to encircle the retreating Chinese forces. Shortly after repositioning, Itagaki learned from aerial reconnaissance that Chinese units were assembling near Pingxingguan (Dayingzhen) Pass. Concerned that these forces might advance eastward through the pass and threaten his rear, Itagaki dispatched a regimental-sized task force under the command of Major General Miura Keiji, leader of the Twenty-first Brigade, to disperse the enemy troops and control the road on both sides of the pass. Miura's task force departed by truck in the mid-afternoon of the following day, but the overland movement proved much slower and more challenging than anticipated. Travelling along a single rutted dirt track through steep mountains, the forty-nine trucks carrying his infantry and heavy weapons, including crew-served machine guns and battalion artillery, could only manage a speed of seven miles per hour. By late afternoon, the lead elements were still about five miles east of the pass when they encountered a few hundred Chinese troops who had retreated after a brief firefight. As night fell, the Japanese moved cautiously forward and reached a village approximately a mile from the pass, where they encountered stiff resistance, including mortar and automatic weapons fire. After successfully repelling a counterattack by the Chinese Seventy-third Division, Miura launched a night assault. Supported by pack artillery and heavy machine guns, two Japanese companies pushed through the pass and seized the high ground on its west side by early morning. However, Chinese reinforcements soon arrived and attempted to reclaim the lost territory, resulting in ongoing fighting for the heights on September 24. Meanwhile, the Chinese Communist 115th Division, comprising the 685th, 686th, and 687th regiments of the Eighth Route Army, consisting of around 6,000 effective troops under the command of twenty-nine-year-old Lin Biao, maneuvered south around the Japanese rear. By September 24, they had interposed themselves on the road east of the pass, effectively cutting off Miura's task force from its supply base. That same day, the Central Army's Seventy-first Division launched several sharp counterattacks against Miura's outnumbered forces west of the pass, threatening to overrun the Japanese positions. Central Army and Communist forces had planned to attack both flanks of the Japanese at dawn on September 25, but torrential rains delayed the advance of the Central Army reserves. The downpour also muffled the sounds of an approaching Japanese night assault. Utilizing the poor night security of the Chinese, Japanese assault parties surprised the Seventy-first and Eighty-fourth divisions, pushing them from their positions west of the pass. Miura mistakenly believed he controlled both sides of the pass and assumed the Chinese forces were in full retreat. Unbeknownst to him, Lin Biao's troops had blocked the eastern entrance to the pass, prompting him to order a resupply column with rations and ammunition forward from about fifteen miles east of the pass to replenish his depleted task force. The supply train, consisting of seventy horse-drawn wagons and eighty trucks, struggled to make progress along the single dirt track, where sections had become muddy bogs due to the heavy rains. Most of the hundred-plus soldiers handling the horses and wagons were untrained and unarmed. The few regular service corps soldiers carried only ten cavalry carbines, while a single infantry platoon of thirty men provided security. The eighty trucks transported another 176 men, most of whom were not infantry. Therefore, the resupply column was ill-prepared for any trouble. Following a sunken road worn down by centuries of caravans, the column approached the pass through a narrow man-made defile, with its sides rising as high as thirty-five feet above the track. Around mid-morning, about four miles east of the pass, the Chinese Communist 115th Division launched an ambush. Communist troops rained grenades and small-arms fire from the high ground overlooking the road onto the trapped convoy. Although the Japanese fought back desperately, the combination of surprise, advantageous terrain, and overwhelming numbers turned the road into a killing ground. The ambush decimated almost all of the teamsters and the infantrymen who protected the wagons. At his field headquarters, Miura heard the heavy gunfire and explosions and quickly ordered a battalion-sized rescue force to assist the convoy. However, the Chinese 685th Regiment, blocking the only road to the trapped supply train, halted the Japanese battalion. Elements of the 685th and 686th regiments then finished off the motorized convoy, with only five trucks at the rear escaping. After looting weapons, equipment, and clothing, the Communists burned the remaining vehicles and withdrew southwest into the rugged mountains. Although the Communists claimed to have killed 3,000 Japanese troops, the more realistic number is around 200. Nonetheless, Lin Biao's guerrillas had achieved a significant tactical success. While the 115th Division destroyed the Japanese resupply column east of the pass, the Central Army's Sixth and Seventh Army Groups, including the Seventy-first Division, launched a series of day and night assaults against Miura's dispersed units west of the pass. Both sides incurred heavy losses, and the Japanese struggled to maintain control of the high ground as the Chinese fanned out through the valleys and attacked from all sides. Isolated and under heavy attack, the Japanese were low on ammunition, food, and water, lacked proper cold-weather clothing in the frigid mountains, and were greatly outnumbered. They resorted to scavenging ammunition and weapons from fallen Chinese soldiers. Itagaki promptly ordered his 41st and 21st infantry regiments, supported by an infantry regiment from the Kwantung Army located about fifty miles northeast of the pass, to rescue the beleaguered task force. These regiments moved along a narrow mountain road amidst heavy rain, which slowed their progress. The relief force split up about forty miles north of Pingxingguan, with the Twenty-first Regiment swinging westward to outflank the Chinese, while the other two regiments continued toward the pass. To the northwest, the Fifteenth Brigade of the Chahar Expeditionary Force advanced southeastward from Datong to encircle the Chinese. Central Army forces defending along the inner Great Wall, about fifty miles northwest of Pingxingguan, inflicted substantial casualties on the Japanese. The Japanese Forty-first Regiment finally reached Miura on September 28, and on the same day, the Twenty-first Regiment dislodged the stubborn defenders along the Inner Great Wall, roughly forty miles northwest of the pass, disrupting the entire Chinese defense and threatening to surround the besieging forces. Nonetheless, fighting continued through September 29, when the Second Brigade broke through the Chinese Central Army's defenses and advanced westward. Facing potential encirclement and certain destruction, the Japanese Sixth Army Group withdrew southwest the following day. Japanese accounts do not specify overall losses, but Chinese reports claim nearly 3,000 Japanese casualties while acknowledging they suffered ten times that number. After five days of intense fighting in rugged terrain, Miura's forces managed to hold their ground, but their heavy losses and those sustained by relief columns rendered it a Pyrrhic victory. Both Communist and Nationalist Chinese forces retreated southwest, surviving to fight another day. The determination of the Chinese Central Army in both offensive and defensive maneuvers, combined with the skillful hit-and-run tactics of the 115th Division, inflicted significant damage on the Japanese and became a cornerstone of Chinese propaganda. On October 1, the Japanese General Staff ordered the North China Area Army to destroy the Chinese forces in Shanxi Province, which were estimated to number over twenty divisions from either the Shanxi Army or the Central Army, and were fortifying positions in Taiyuan, Yangquan, and Yuanpingzhen. The Japanese Fifth and Twentieth Divisions advanced toward Taiyuan, while the Fifteenth Division, reinforced by a mixed brigade, launched an assault south from Yuanpingzhen on October 13. The Fifteenth Division quickly encountered strong Chinese resistance from well-prepared defenses, which halted its advance. From October 19 to 26, the Twentieth Division faced thirteen Chinese divisions entrenched near Jiuguan. Although they successfully repelled numerous fierce counterattacks, the division was unable to breach the Chinese lines. A maneuver by one of its regiments to the rear of the Chinese defenses forced a withdrawal of Chinese troops. The reconstituted Fifth Division joined the pursuit of the retreating Chinese forces on November 3, reaching Taiyuan five days later. Meanwhile, the Twentieth Division, moving westward, inflicted heavy losses on the Chinese units that were withdrawing from Taiyuan. Overall, given that the offensive aimed to secure territory, it can be considered a tactical and operational success. Shortly thereafter, all Japanese forces, except for the Twentieth Division, withdrew from Shanxi Province. The Chahar campaign concluded with the Kwantung Army in control of Chahar, Suiyuan, and the northern half of Shanxi Province. The Japanese quickly established puppet regimes in the captured territories. 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 July 1937, tensions between Japan and China erupted following the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, leading to fierce fighting as Japanese troops attacked. Chinese defenders, under command of Chiang Kai-shek, bravely resisted despite overwhelming odds, determined to protect their sovereignty. The Battle of Nankou saw relentless assaults, tank warfare, and desperate defense tactics, revealing the depth of Chinese resolve. 

On this week's Look Ahead Podcast, sponsored by HII, Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian discuss Israel's attack on Iran and whether the long-planned strikes will stop Tehran's drive to acquire nuclear weapons; the trade deal between Washington and Beijing; the budget outlook as lawmakers build a national budget, and what happens if efforts to craft a reconciliation package fail; takeaways from hearings including on the F-35 Lightning II; additional thoughts on Ukraine's Operation Spider Web attacks on Russia; and a look at the week ahead.

The Kuok Group feeds cities, builds skylines, and reshapes borders. From sugar to shipping, hotels to high finance, it powers modern Asia in ways few truly understand.Robert Kuok sits quietly at the heart of this story, a man guided by discipline, driven by vision, and guarded in privacy.He didn't chase the spotlight. He chased scale. From the chaos of war-torn Malaya to the boardrooms of Beijing, Kuok built his empire with patience, precision, and a belief in long-term power over short-term profit.He never raised his voice. But when he moved, industries followed.This is the story of the Kuok Group — how a young man from Johor Bahru, Malaysia, rose from rice sacks and ration books to build Southeast Asia's largest sugar empire and, ultimately, to shape the future of China, one power move at a time.Episode 1: FoundationsJapanese bombs fall over Singapore. Sixteen-year-old Robert Kuok begins a long walk home. He is angry, disillusioned, but determined to change the world.Episode 2: Sugar RushRice built Kuok Brothers Ltd. But sugar? That's what will make them legends. When global prices spike and contracts fall apart, Robert learns the true cost of sweet ambition.Episode 3: Sugar CrashTo move beyond importing sugar, Robert sets his sights on building Malaysia's first refinery. But foreign partners try to box him in. In response, he rewrites the rules - mastering policy, strategy, and global trading - until the Kuok name commands respect from London to Kuala Lumpur.Episode 4: The Sugar King To control sugar from source to shelf, Robert ventures into Indonesia and strikes a deal with a powerful, but unpredictable, ally. But as politics sour, he must fight to hold onto the empire he's built before it slips away.Episode 5: Shangri-LaKuok bets on hospitality. The result? A new kind of empire, one made of glass, steel, and silence. But while others chase the West, Robert looks East.-Our series is proudly sponsored by AlphaSense.-Access expert analyst reports, perfectly summarised by Gen-AI with precision and no hallucinations. Support our productions by  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠booking your free trial ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠today.-Want to showcase your brand to listeners with a combined net worth of over $1 billion and a network of 100,000+ employees and industry contacts? Drop us an email: sales@1upmediapodcast.com-We're looking to grow our team! Support our productions by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠buying us a coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-Want to meet the team? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-If you love the style of Empires, and want similar content, check out:

Contactless fare payments using JCB cards and American Express cards are now available in Beijing's urban rail transit system.

Chinese communities leaders are optimistic about the prime minister's visit to Shanghai and Beijing this week. RNZ Asia's Chen Liu reports.

Chinese mainland police are leveraging Hong Kong's licensed exchanges to sell seized digital assets — a compliant workaround to the mainland's strict crypto ban. Note: The conversation segment of this episode was generated using AI and has been edited for accuracy. It is based on this Caixin story: Hong Kong Offers Beijing Legal Route to Sell Seized Crypto Subscribe now to unlock all coverage from Caixin Global and The Wall Street Journal for just $200 a year, enjoying a 66% discount. Group discounts are available — contact us for a customized plan.

From rice to rubber, manufacturing to tourism, Thailand is one of Southeast Asia's most important export-driven economies. And its trading partners include China and the US. But the country's been struggling to bounce back from the effects of the Covid pandemic. Ever since US President Donald Trump first introduced tariffs against China in 2018, Thailand's also found itself having to tread carefully between the demands of the two economic superpowers. We hear from food producers, exporters and ordinary working people, about the choices ahead. Will Thailand now have to decide between Washington and Beijing if it is to survive a global trade war? If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresented and produced by Ed Butler(Image: Bangkok's Chinatown. A neighbourhood packed with market stalls, gold shops, and restaurants. Credit: Getty Images)

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Sibling Adventures: A Magical Day at Beijing's Summer Palace Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-06-15-22-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 北京的夏季，阳光洒在颐和园的昆明湖上，湖水泛起闪亮的波纹。En: In the summer of Beijing, sunlight shone on the Summer Palace's Kunming Lake, and the lake water sparkled with shimmering ripples.Zh: 梅琳和俊第一次来到北京，跟随父母的工作行程。En: Meilin and Jun visited Beijing for the first time, accompanying their parents on a work trip.Zh: 但父母忙于工作，梅琳负责照顾弟弟。En: However, their parents were busy with work, so Meilin was responsible for taking care of her younger brother.Zh: 他们走在颐和园的长廊间，四周是来来往往的游客，许多人拿着相机记录下美丽的瞬间。En: They strolled through the long corridors of the Summer Palace, surrounded by coming and going tourists, many of whom were holding cameras to capture beautiful moments.Zh: 梅琳紧紧握住俊的小手，生怕他走丢。En: Meilin tightly held Jun's little hand, afraid he might get lost.Zh: 但俊充满好奇心，一会儿想要看看莲花，一会儿又想跑去看假山。En: But Jun was full of curiosity; one moment he wanted to look at the lotus flowers, the next he wanted to run off to see the rockeries.Zh: “姐姐，那是什么？”俊指着远处，一条船慢慢划过湖面，船上有穿着古装的人在拍照。En: "Sister, what's that?" Jun pointed into the distance where a boat was slowly gliding across the lake, and people dressed in ancient costumes were taking pictures on it.Zh: 俊总是被周围的事物吸引，梅琳有些疲惫不堪。En: Jun was always attracted by the things around him, leaving Meilin a bit exhausted.Zh: 她想到了一个好主意，“俊，我们来玩个游戏吧。En: She thought of a good idea, "Jun, let's play a game.Zh: 我们假装自己是古代的皇帝和公主，在这里探险。En: Let's pretend we're ancient emperors and princesses exploring here."Zh: 俊的眼睛亮了起来，充满了兴奋，因为这个新冒险让他留在姐姐身边。En: Jun's eyes lit up with excitement, as this new adventure kept him close to his sister.Zh: 两人假装自己穿越时空，穿过大大小小的亭台楼阁，还给这些地方起了奇妙的名字：凤凰台、龙居室。En: The two of them pretended to travel through time, passing through various pavilions and towers, giving these places magical names: Phoenix Terrace, Dragon Habitat.Zh: 然而，当他们到达湖边时，人群挤满了岸边，俊忽然发现一队乐师在演奏，他兴奋地跑过去。En: However, when they reached the lakeside, the shore was crowded with people, and suddenly Jun spotted a group of musicians playing music and excitedly ran over.Zh: 尽管梅琳一再叮嘱不要乱跑，这次梅琳没抓住他的小手，一瞬间失去了他的踪影。En: Despite Meilin's repeated warnings not to run off, this time Meilin failed to catch his little hand, and in an instant, lost sight of him.Zh: 梅琳的心一下子提到了嗓子眼，她焦虑地搜寻着周围的人群，终于在不远处看到了俊，他正站在乐师前，全神贯注地盯着他们。En: Meilin's heart leapt into her throat, and she anxiously searched the crowd around her until she finally spotted Jun not far away, standing in front of the musicians, completely engrossed in watching them.Zh: “俊！”梅琳叫道，跑过去抱住他，心中悬着的石头终于落下。En: "Jun!" Meilin called out, running over to hug him, and the stone hanging in her heart finally fell.Zh: 俊回头笑着说：“姐姐，他们的音乐真好听。”En: Jun turned back with a smile, saying, "Sister, their music is so nice."Zh: 梅琳舒了一口气，拉着俊在草地上坐下，静静地听着乐师奏出的旋律，湖水和微风伴奏，看着昆明湖的迷人景色。En: Meilin breathed a sigh of relief, sat down with Jun on the grass, quietly listening to the melody played by the musicians, with the lake water and breeze as accompaniment, enjoying the enchanting view of Kunming Lake.Zh: 她意识到某些时候需要放宽心，去享受这段简单快乐的时光。En: She realized that sometimes it's necessary to relax and enjoy these simple moments of happiness.Zh: 离开颐和园时，梅琳和俊的心情都很轻松。En: As they left the Summer Palace, both Meilin and Jun felt light-hearted.Zh: 他们不仅看到了风景，也学会了如何更好地相处和体验。En: They not only saw the scenery but also learned how to better get along and experience things together.Zh: 梅琳发现，只要用心去发现，每一刻都可以充满乐趣与惊喜。En: Meilin discovered that as long as you pay attention, every moment can be filled with fun and surprises. Vocabulary Words:strolled: 走在corridors: 长廊ripples: 波纹shimmering: 闪亮的curiosity: 好奇心engrossed: 全神贯注exhausted: 疲惫不堪accompanying: 跟随glided: 划过ancient: 古代的emperor: 皇帝princesses: 公主anxiously: 焦虑地captured: 记录tourists: 游客moment: 瞬间responsible: 负责accompaniment: 伴奏melodies: 旋律enchanted: 迷人景色breeze: 微风repeated: 一再musicians: 乐师blend: 融合pavilions: 亭台楼阁adventurer: 探险enchanted: 迷人surprises: 惊喜moment: 时光content: 满足

The Chinese foreign minister has expressed firm opposition to Israel's use of force against Iran. Wang Yi also stated that Beijing supports Tehran in safeguarding national sovereignty and defending its legitimate rights and interests.

The theory goes: China's in decline, so if it ever wants to invade Taiwan, it has to do it soon.But what if that theory depends on the wrong assumption? And who does Beijing actually see as the declining power?

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, for Friday's Headline Brief, delivering the latest domestic and international stories shaping America and the world. Israel Launches Operation Rising Lion Against Iran Overnight, Israel begins a wide-scale bombing campaign targeting Iran's nuclear infrastructure, military leadership, and key scientists. Apartment buildings are ablaze in Tehran as oil prices spike and U.S. military bases brace for retaliation. Bryan warns of potential escalation, including Iranian proxy attacks on U.S. soil. The Resistance Fights Back with Protests, Court Battles, and Smears A California judge temporarily halts Trump's control of the state's National Guard. Senator Alex Padilla is tackled by Secret Service after interrupting DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, fueling Nazi Germany comparisons from Democrats. Meanwhile, Gavin Newsom claims Trump is mentally unfit to lead. Riots Expand as Leftist Messaging Shifts Democrats now claim they never called the LA riots “peaceful,” despite recent comments from AOC. Violence spreads to cities like Tucson and Spokane, with protestors declaring U.S. lands belong to Mexico. Trump and Republican governors respond with military deployments and legal actions. 500,000 Migrants Ordered to Leave U.S. The Trump administration revokes humanitarian parole for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, rescinding their work permits and demanding immediate departure. The DOJ also sues states that block ICE courthouse arrests. Trump Offers Limited Carve-Outs for Illegal Labor Trump signals flexibility for industries like farming and hospitality, promising to “get the criminals out” but protect long-time workers. California farmers report mass ICE raids and brace for labor shortages. 500,000 Chinese Students to Return Under New Deal Despite FBI warnings, Trump confirms his trade deal will bring back Chinese students and allow many to stay after graduation. Bryan challenges the wisdom of this exchange, citing national security risks. House Votes to Claw Back $9.4 Billion in Wasteful Spending A narrow House vote advances a bill to recover funds flagged by the Department of Government Efficiency. Vice President JD Vance may cast the deciding vote in the Senate. Trump and Musk Begin Reconciliation Following a fierce public feud, Elon Musk and Trump reportedly speak by phone. Musk walks back harsh comments. Vance confirms Trump is open to patching things up. Trump's Big Beautiful Bill Faces Senate Roadblocks The president's top domestic package faces resistance over Medicaid cuts, public land sales, tax credit rollbacks, and new legal bond requirements. Lawmakers from both parties are divided ahead of the July 4 deadline. Soros Launches “Blue Texas” Campaign Democrat megadonor George Soros pledges at least $35 million to flip Texas, funding candidate training and mobilization for the 2026 elections. Iran's S-300 Missile Defenses Taken Out by Israeli Commandos With Iranian air defenses compromised, Israel continues its bombing campaign. Peace talks are still technically scheduled for Sunday but are unlikely to proceed. Hezbollah Sleeper Cells Could Strike Inside U.S. Bryan warns of potential Hezbollah attacks in cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Detroit, as retaliation for Israeli airstrikes. Gaza Aid Workers Killed, Myanmar Falls Further Under Chinese Control Palestinian militants attack an aid convoy, killing five. In Myanmar, a China-backed rebel group secures critical rare earth mineral mines, reinforcing Beijing's dominance in the sector. Panama Canal Shuts Out U.S. Bid, Sides with China Panama blocks a U.S.-backed deal to buy Chinese port operations, preserving Beijing's control. The U.S. is replacing Huawei towers in the country, but tensions rise over canal access and trade routes. China Refuses to Discuss Fentanyl During Trade Talks Xi Jinping's team flatly rejects U.S. demands to stop fentanyl precursor exports, keeping the deadly flow alive. Bryan calls it a calculated attack on America's youth and a profit stream for China's elite. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." – John 8:32   Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code TWR using the link or at check-out and get 60% off an annual plan: Incogni.com/TWR    

Chinese exports of rare earths, a critical component in manufacturing high-end tech products, emerged as a key sticking point in this week's trade talks between Beijing and Washington. Underpinning all of this is the race for artificial intelligence supremacy. Who is winning this competition? Who is best placed to control the supply chains of all the components that go into the top chips and AI models? Jared Cohen and George Lee, the co-heads of the Goldman Sachs Global Institute, join FP Live. Note: This discussion is part of a series of episodes brought to you by the Goldman Sachs Global Institute. Jared Cohen: The AI Economy's Massive Vulnerability Rishi Iyengar & Lili Pike: Is It Too Late to Slow China's AI Development? Vivek Chilukuri: How the United States Can Win the Global Tech Race Brought to you by: nordvpn.com/fplive (Exclusive NordVPN Deal: Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Power Vertical Podcast, host Brian Whitmore speaks with Jeff Mankoff about the simmering espionage tensions between Russia and China that suggest cracks in their so-called "no limits" partnership. They explore leaked Russian intelligence reports accusing Beijing of spying and covert operations within Russian territory. Is the Sino-Russian alliance unraveling—or is something else at play?

If you're curious about private equity but tired of all the jargon, in this episode, we break it all the way down—what private equity is, how it works, who it helps, and who it hurts. Whether you're building a business or just trying to understand the headlines, this is the clear, honest explanation you've been looking for.

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:    We'll start things off with a major breakthrough in the U.S.-China trade war, as Washington and Beijing agree to a tentative framework to solidify last month's crumbling trade deal after emergency talks were held in London earlier this week. Later in the show—While our eyes have been turned to the riots here in the U.S., immigration riots of a different sort are happening in Northern Ireland. We'll have the details. Plus—South Korea's new president halts propaganda broadcasts along the border with North Korea in a bid to ease tensions with the hermit kingdom. But will the ever belligerent Kim regime reciprocate? In our 'Back of the Brief—The U.S. warns governments around the world against attending an upcoming U.N. conference spearheaded by France that will call for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief.   YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Birch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold TriTails Premium Beef: Visit https://TryBeef.com/PDB & Spend $399+ at TriTails by June 15 and get 2 lbs of ground beef free—plus, from June 13–15, buy a gift card for Dad and get a 10% bonus card for yourself! Mando: Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @shop.mando and get 20% off + free shipping with promo code PDB at shopmando.com! #mandopod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he breaks down today's top stories shaping America and the world. Strong U.S. Economy Defies Expectations Inflation and job numbers come in better than forecast. Prices rose just 2.4 percent over the past year, and unemployment remains steady at 4.2 percent. Trump's Five Bucket Strategy appears to be paying off, with reshoring announcements from GM and new investments in American nuclear energy. Tariff Court Ruling and China Deal Reshape Trade Landscape A U.S. appeals court allows Trump's tariffs to stay in place through July 31, buying time for ongoing negotiations. A new U.S.-China deal sets tariffs at 55 percent for Chinese goods and 10 percent for American exports. China resumes rare earth shipments and regains student visa access, though FBI officials remain concerned about security risks. Leftist Riots in LA and AOC's Dismissive Response Riots continue in Los Angeles, though quieter for now. Trump ramps up ICE arrests. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez downplays the violence as “kids throwing rocks,” despite Molotov cocktails and injuries. GOP lawmakers and the DOJ are investigating who is funding the unrest. Trump Welcomes Legal Immigrants President Trump releases a new video message to naturalized citizens, offering encouragement and affirming they are “part of the American family.” His remarks come amid deportation efforts targeting illegal immigrants. Middle East Tensions Rise Over Iran and Qatar Jet Deal Qatar has not yet transferred the promised 747 to Trump for Air Force One. Meanwhile, U.S. embassies in the region prepare for possible Iranian missile strikes. Some military dependents and diplomats are being evacuated, as peace talks appear to be collapsing. Xi Jinping Launches Austerity Crackdown Ahead of Possible War China's president is disciplining party members for luxury spending as he prepares the nation for economic hardship and possible military conflict. U.S. intelligence agencies view the campaign as a signal of Beijing's war readiness. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." – John 8:32   Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code TWR using the link or at check-out and get 60% off an annual plan: Incogni.com/TWR

My guest this week is the comedian Ricky Sim, who's currently touring with his show Coming Out to Dead People. As the name might suggest Ricky's coming-out process was a little bumpy. Starting with the time that he smuggled an adult VHS tape into the one place he felt safe watching it … a church basement. (Check out Ricky's upcoming shows in Chicago and New York at https://www.rickysim.com/#tour-dates .)We'll have that conversation in just a minute. First — if you're in Seattle, I hope you'll join me at my upcoming live show What's so Gay About Frasier. It's a deep-dive into the private life of Seattle's most eligible bachelor — and an investigation into why he keeps finding himself at the center of queer misunderstandings. It's on Tuesday, June 24 at Elliott Bay Books on Capitol Hill at 7pm. I have all the details in the shownotes and at mattbaume.com/events.Also, if you're enjoying The Sewers of Paris, I hope you'll consider supporting the show on Patreon. You may also enjoy my YouTube videos about the making of iconic movies and TV shows — I have a new video about the magic of Star Trek's Lwaxana Troi. And check out my weekly livestreams on Twitch, my book Hi Honey, I'm Homo!, and my free email newsletter. There's links to all that in the episode shownotes, and at MattBaume.com.

For decades, US allies have slept soundly under the protection of America's overwhelming military might. Donald Trump — with his threats to ditch NATO, seize Greenland, and abandon Taiwan — seems hell-bent on shattering that comfort.But according to Hugh White — one of the world's leading strategic thinkers, emeritus professor at the Australian National University, and author of Hard New World: Our Post-American Future — Trump isn't destroying American hegemony. He's simply revealing that it's already gone.Links to learn more, video, highlights, and full transcript: https://80k.info/hw“Trump has very little trouble accepting other great powers as co-equals,” Hugh explains. And that happens to align perfectly with a strategic reality the foreign policy establishment desperately wants to ignore: fundamental shifts in global power have made the costs of maintaining a US-led hegemony prohibitively high.Even under Biden, when Russia invaded Ukraine, the US sent weapons but explicitly ruled out direct involvement. Ukraine matters far more to Russia than America, and this “asymmetry of resolve” makes Putin's nuclear threats credible where America's counterthreats simply aren't. Hugh's gloomy prediction: “Europeans will end up conceding to Russia whatever they can't convince the Russians they're willing to fight a nuclear war to deny them.”The Pacific tells the same story. Despite Obama's “pivot to Asia” and Biden's tough talk about “winning the competition for the 21st century,” actual US military capabilities there have barely budged while China's have soared, along with its economy — which is now bigger than the US's, as measured in purchasing power. Containing China and defending Taiwan would require America to spend 8% of GDP on defence (versus 3.5% today) — and convince Beijing it's willing to accept Los Angeles being vaporised.Unlike during the Cold War, no president — Trump or otherwise — can make that case to voters.Our new “multipolar” future, split between American, Chinese, Russian, Indian, and European spheres of influence, is a “darker world” than the golden age of US dominance. But Hugh's message is blunt: for better or worse, 35 years of American hegemony are over. Recorded 30/5/2025.Chapters:00:00:00 Cold open00:01:25 US dominance is already gone00:03:26 US hegemony was the weird aberration00:13:08 Why the US bothered being the 'new Rome'00:23:25 Evidence the US is accepting the multipolar global order00:36:41 How Trump is advancing the inevitable00:43:21 Rubio explicitly favours this outcome00:45:42 Trump is half-right that the US was being ripped off00:50:14 It doesn't matter if the next president feels differently00:56:17 China's population is shrinking, but it doesn't matter01:06:07 Why Hugh disagrees with other realists like Mearsheimer01:10:52 Could the US be persuaded to spend 2x on defence?01:16:22 A multipolar world is bad, but better than nuclear war01:21:46 Will the US invade Panama? Greenland? Canada?!01:32:01 What should everyone else do to protect themselves in this new world?01:39:41 Europe is strong enough to take on Russia01:44:03 But the EU will need nuclear weapons01:48:34 Cancel (some) orders for US fighter planes01:53:40 Taiwan is screwed, even with its AI chips02:04:12 South Korea has to go nuclear too02:08:08 Japan will go nuclear, but can't be a regional leader02:11:44 Australia is defensible but needs a totally different military02:17:19 AGI may or may not overcome existing nuclear deterrence02:34:24 How right is realism?02:40:17 Has a country ever gone to war over morality alone?02:44:45 Hugh's message for Americans02:47:12 Why America temporarily stopped being isolationistTell us what you thought! https://forms.gle/AM91VzL4BDroEe6AAVideo editing: Simon MonsourAudio engineering: Ben Cordell, Milo McGuire, Simon Monsour, and Dominic ArmstrongMusic: Ben CordellTranscriptions and web: Katy Moore

U.S. President Donald Trump famously tweeted during his first term, “Trade wars are good, and easy to win.” But the record of the trade war that Trump started with his so-called Liberation Day tariffs in early April suggests that things are a bit more complicated.  In an essay for Foreign Affairs appropriately titled, “Trade Wars Are Easy to Lose,” the economist Adam Posen argues that the United States has a weaker hand than the Trump administration believes. That's especially true when it comes to China, the world's second-largest economy and perhaps the real target of Trump's trade offensive. “It is China that has escalation dominance in this trade war,” Posen writes. “Washington, not Beijing, is betting all in on a losing hand.” Dan Kurtz-Phelan spoke to Posen, who is president of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, on June 9 about the short- and long-term effects of Trump's tariffs and the economic uncertainty they've caused, about what it would take to constructively remake the global economy, and about the growing risks to the United States' economic position at an especially dangerous time. You can find sources, transcripts, and more episodes of The Foreign Affairs Interview at https://www.foreignaffairs.com/podcasts/foreign-affairs-interview.

Welcome to the What's Next! podcast with Tiffani Bova.     This week, I'm looking back on a conversation I had with Emily Chang. Emily is a San Francisco-based anchor and an executive producer of “Bloomberg Technology.” Before joining Bloomberg in 2010, Chang served as an international correspondent for CNN in Beijing and London, as well as a reporter at KNSD, NBC's affiliate in San Diego. While at KNSD, she won five regional Emmy Awards. She is also the author of Brotopia: Breaking Up the Boys' Club of Silicon Valley, which investigates and examines sexism and gender inequality in the tech industry.      THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…leaders, peers, and business owners who create professional environments and who want to foster more diverse and inclusive environments that thrive.   TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…Emily talks about her book Brotopia and shares small but brilliant ways to make sure you're actively creating a diverse working environment that is inclusive and diverse in thought. It's our responsibility as leaders, peers, and business owners to make sure that those around us feel that they are listened to, they are heard, and that they have the opportunity to share their stories.   WHAT I LOVE  MOST…it doesn't take a lot to create a more diverse and inclusive environment, and Emily teaches us how small things can make a massive impact.   Running time: 33:39   Subscribe on iTunes   Find Tiffani Online: LinkedIn Facebook X   Find Emily Online: LinkedIn Instagram X   Emily on Bloomberg:  www.bloombergmedia.com   Emily's Book:  Brotopia

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:  We'll start things off with an update on the immigration riots now sweeping the country, and how far left nonprofit groups are helping fuel the ongoing chaos. Later in the show—In a striking display of Beijing's expanding naval ambitions, China, for the first time, sailed both of its aircraft carriers into the Pacific Ocean for joint exercises. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief StopBox: Get firearm security redesigned and save with BOGO the StopBox Pro AND 10% OFF @StopBoxUSA with code PDB at https://stopboxusa.com/PDB! #stopboxpod Birch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold True Classic: Upgrade your wardrobe and save on @trueclassic at https://trueclassic.com/PDB #trueclassicpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he breaks down today's top stories shaping America and the world. Los Angeles Chaos Grows: Curfews, Court Losses, and ICE Raids Mayor Karen Bass imposes a citywide curfew as riots continue. Governor Newsom fails in court to block Trump's National Guard deployment. ICE increases nationwide raids, working alongside local police under the 287(g) program. Polls show most Americans support the crackdowns. Democrat Senator John Fetterman joins in, calling the unrest “anarchy.” Democrat Resistance Escalates: From Mean Tweets to Leaked Secrets ABC News fires veteran reporter Terry Moran for anti-Trump outbursts. Minnesota's governor calls on Democrats to "be meaner." A Defense Intelligence Agency officer is arrested for trying to leak classified intelligence, claiming he was helping a foreign ally against Trump. China's Bioweapon Threat Grows in Michigan The FBI arrests a third Chinese national connected to the smuggling of DNA materials and pathogens from a Wuhan university to the University of Michigan. Officials warn the case reflects a broader agro-terrorism campaign backed by the Chinese Communist Party. Iran Buys Missile Fuel from China as Peace Talks Falter Iran is importing large quantities of rocket fuel with help from Beijing. Israel believes Tehran is stalling negotiations while reinforcing its military capabilities. President Trump continues to push for a peaceful resolution, though doubts are growing. Zelenskyy Angered as U.S. Redirects Drone Tech Trump pulls 20,000 drone-targeting fuses from Ukraine and sends them to U.S. military bases in the Middle East. Zelenskyy accuses the United States of turning its back on Ukraine. Trump says protecting American troops must come first if talks with Iran fail. ICE Officers Stranded in Djibouti After Court Order A federal judge halts the deportation of eight violent migrants to South Sudan after the plane has already departed. ICE agents are left stranded in Djibouti, staying in a converted shipping container with the detainees. The White House is appealing to the Supreme Court. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." – John 8:32 Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code TWR using the link or at check-out and get 60% off an annual plan: Incogni.com/TWR

This week on Sinica, I chat with Stephen Platt, historian at UMass Amherst and author, most recently, of the book The Raider: The Untold Story of a Renegade Marine and the Birth of U.S. Special Forces in World War II. Like his previous works, Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom and Imperial Twilight, it offers a compelling narrative history of an overlooked chapter through a deeply empathetic and well-researched examination of individual lives. Please make sure to listen to the excerpt from the audiobook at the end of this podcast.04:21 - Evans Carlson: A forgotten hero07:49 - The Real Carlson vs. the constructed Carlson10:04 - The book's origin12:20 - Carlson's ideological transformation16:50 - Carlson's religious beliefs and public perception20:04 - Emerson's influence on Carlson's thinking 23:46 - Inner conflicts: Soul-searching or regret?27:15 - Carlson's relationship with President Franklin D. Roosevelt30:39 - Gung Ho Meetings: meaning, practice, and legacy33:34 - Zhu De's influence on Carlson 40:28 - Carlson's relationships with Agnes Smedley and Edgar Snow47:49 - Hopes for U.S.-China alliance 51:57 - Carlson's death and his legacy 58:01 - Lessons from CarlsonPaying it Forward: Peter Thilly, Emily MokrosRecommendations: Stephen: 11.22.63 by Stephen King; Ted Chiang (author); Otoboke Beaver (band); Book of Mormon (musical)Kaiser: Wobbler (band); The Religion by Tim Willocks; Zappa (2020)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stephen Moore, Distinguished Fellow in Economics at the Heritage Foundation, founder of Club for Growth, and author of The Trump Economic Miracle, joined The Guy Benson Show today to break down the latest economic data, including lower-than-expected inflation, rising job numbers, and falling prices on gas and eggs. Moore explained why media and left-wing analysts continue to push doom-and-gloom narratives, arguing that their bias against Trump skews their economic outlook. Moore also detailed what Trump calls a "done deal" on trade between the US and China, and Moore though he emphasized that the next move now rests with Beijing. Listen to the full interview below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the trade war between the United States and China, the biggest sticking point is a handful of metals that are essential to the U.S. and almost entirely under the control of China.The problem is, China has now cut off America's access to those metals, threatening American industry and the U.S. military. Keith Bradsher explains how the United States became so dependent on China for these metals in the first place, and just how hard it will be to live without them.Guest: Keith Bradsher, the Beijing bureau chief for The New York Times.Background reading: China produces the entire world's supply of samarium, a rare earth metal that the United States and its allies need to rebuild inventories of fighter jets, missiles and other hardware.What to know about China's halt of rare earth exports.For more information on today's episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Bert van Dijk/Getty Images Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he breaks down today's biggest stories shaping America and the world. Marines Deployed to LA as Riots Escalate – President Trump authorizes 700 Marines to protect federal buildings amid ongoing violence in Los Angeles. While Governor Newsom sues to block federal control of the National Guard, Democrats and local media struggle to characterize the unrest, with some calling it “just people having fun.” Bryan unpacks the political, legal, and cultural implications of this chaotic response. Mexican President's “Mobilize” Call Sparks GOP Fury – Claudia Sheinbaum tells her “countrymen” in the U.S. to protest Trump's remittance tax, drawing backlash and proposals to hike the tax from 3.5% to 15%. Bryan questions whether Sheinbaum's words crossed into foreign interference, and revisits evidence of Mexican nationalist and Marxist groups targeting ICE and law enforcement in California. Russia's Spy Agency Warns Against Growing Ties with China – A leaked FSB report reveals Moscow's deep concerns over Chinese espionage, Arctic encroachment, and Beijing's long-term territorial ambitions in Russia's Far East. Bryan explains how this intel vindicates Trump's long-standing strategy to pull Russia away from China. Israel Arms Gaza Militias to Undermine Hamas, But Risks Mount – Netanyahu confirms Israel is arming a rival Gaza clan to weaken Hamas. While potentially saving Israeli soldiers, the move raises fears of long-term instability and mirrors past U.S. missteps in arming regional militias. The strategy could also complicate Trump's fragile peace negotiations with Iran, which may resume as soon as this weekend. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." – John 8:32   Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code TWR using the link or at check-out and get 60% off an annual plan: Incogni.com/TWR    

This week on Sinica, I chat with Jostein Hauge, political economist and an Assistant Professor in Development Studies at the University of Cambridge, based at the Centre of Development Studies and the Department of Politics and International Studies, and author of the book The Future of the Factory: How Megatrends are Changing Industrialization.3:09 – Self Introduction: Jostein Hauge4:23 – Anti-China Sentiment in Western Discourse7:40 – Misconceptions and Prevailing Narratives10:08 – Technological Transfer and the Political Economy12:18 – Historical Periods of Economic Rivalry 14:36 – Evolving Industrial Policy: From Japan's MITI to China and the U.S. today18:59 – China's Contemporary Industrial Policy: Quality or Quantity? 21:13 – China as a Rising Power: Is History Repeating?24:18 – The Sustainability of China's Industrial Policy 26:43 – China, Overcapacity, and Global Imbalances34:07 – Overcapacity: Economic Reality or Ideological Construct?36:04 – China's domination in the renewable energy market39:13 – China's greenhouse gas emissions43:17 – How China is reshaping the IP regime 48:14 – The U.S. national security stance and the trade war with China55:10 – Europe's approach to ChinaPaying it forward: Kyle Chan at High CapacityRecommendations:Jostein: The White Lotus (TV Series)Kaiser: The Raider: The Untold Story of a Renegade Marine and the Birth of U.S. Special Forces in World War II by Stephen R. PlattSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Troops to LA, Newsom's tax evasion threat, reporter suspended, and Orwell vindicated. Plus, the Message of the Day, an interesting question Bill received in Beijing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: A leaked Russian intelligence memo reveals the FSB privately considers China “the enemy,” even as Putin promotes a public alliance with Beijing. President Trump sends the National Guard to Los Angeles following violent anti-ICE riots that erupted over the weekend. Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, is devastated by what officials call the most powerful Russian strike of the entire war. Back of the Brief: Israel's defense minister orders the IDF to block a Gaza-bound flotilla involving climate activist Greta Thunberg—by any means necessary. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Birch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold Mando: Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @shop.mando and get 20% off + free shipping with promo code PDB at shopmando.com! #mandopod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices