European Populists Join the Kremlin in Anti-Sanctions Fight
Given that many of Europe’s populist parties have Russia-friendly inclinations, it is perhaps not surprising that they often like to parrot Kremlin talking points. These...
Why China Is Rooting for Trump
Remembering how the world looked before Donald Trump became the U.S. president in January 2017 paints a striking picture. At that time, the idea that...
The West Did Not Invent Decoupling—China Did
There is a story told among Kremlin watchers: Shortly after Western countries first imposed sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion and annexation of...
The Unintended Consequences of Seizing Russian Assets
Imagine you are the captain of a British Royal Navy battleship in World War I. After a fierce battle in the North Sea, you have...
Don’t Expect Much From Biden and Xi
Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and their U.S.-born cub, Xiao Qi Ji, have safely made it back home. The three pandas landed in China’s Sichuan province...
The Easiest Way to Make Russia Sanctions More Effective
Whisper “Trickbot” or “Conti,” and cybersecurity experts will be spooked. These are pieces of malware and ransomware used by a gang of Russia-based hackers to...
How Russia Evaded the Oil Price Cap
Discussions around the future of the price cap placed on Russian oil exports by the G-7 and European Union were high on the agenda of...
Why Europe Will Struggle to ‘De-Risk’ From China
Buzzwords in Brussels come and go. In 2021, the concept of “strategic autonomy” was all the rage in Europe’s corridors of power. In theory, it...
What Does ‘De-Risking’ Actually Mean?
De-risking is the new buzzword in Washington. This marks a notable shift, because until April, when U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan gave a speech...
China’s Threat to Ban Critical Minerals Exports Is a Bluff
Weaponizing commodities is in fashion. In September 2022, Russia cut off gas flows to Europe in a bid to weaken European economies after its invasion...