German Atomwaffen and the Superweapon Trap | Taiwan Wants Suicide Drones to Deter China | Give France Credit for its Strategic Change | The Chilling of the Fourth Estate After 10 Years of Modi, and more
No Tomorrow (Daisuke Wakabayashi and Claire Fu, New York Times)
Often considered a safe investment during times of geopolitical and economic turmoil, gold has soared in price in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the war in Gaza. But gold’s climb to highs above $2,400 per ounce has proved more resilient, and lasted longer, because of China.
Why Are More Chinese Migrants Arriving at the U.S. Southern Border? (James Palmer, Foreign Policy)
In an interview last month, former U.S. President Donald Trump said Chinese nationals arriving in the United States from its southern border were “probably building an army,” echoing language common among the U.S. right wing. Right-wing commentators have suggested that the increase in Chinese arrivals and asylum-seekers is a planned infiltration of “military-aged men” or spies.
THE LONG VIEW
Why a Cold War Is Breaking Out Over Milei’s Lithium ‘Gold Rush’ (Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, The Telegraph)
The geopolitical struggle for clean-tech supremacy is being fought at 13,700 feet on the salt lakes of the Argentine Cordillera.
German Atomwaffen and the Superweapon Trap (Gustav Meibauer and Christopher David Larouche, War on the Rocks)
Can nuclear weapons fix Germany’s or Europe’s complex security problems? That is what some German politicians across the political spectrum have proposed in the past few months.
No, Trump Was Not Good for US Alliances. And Without Changes, Trump 2.0 Will Be Worse. (Lisa Homel and Ambassador Daniel Fried. Just Security)
Many of former President Donald Trump’s supporters vigorously dismiss fears that he’ll damage U.S. alliances during a second turn in office.
MORE PICKS
Congressman: US Needs Counterterrorism Partners in Central Asia (Navbahor Imamova, VOA News)
In a rare discussion of Central Asia policy on Capitol Hill, a senior legislator told VOA that the United States needs to look past the abysmal human rights records of the countries in the region to confront terrorism and Russian and Chinese influence. “If we want their help somehow, we need to be able to help them,” Representative Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, said in a one-on-one interview.
Sudan’s Descent into Chaos Sets Stage for al-Qaida to Make a Return to Historic Stronghold (Sara Harmouch, The Conversation)
“Sudan’s moment has come; chaos is our chance to sow the seeds of jihad,” warned Abu Hudhaifa al-Sudani, a high-ranking al-Qaida leader, in an October 2022 manifesto.
Give France Credit for its Strategic Change (Gesine Weber, War on the Rocks)
After openly discussing the potential of sending NATO troops to Ukraine recently, French President Emmanuel Macron is now being described as “the hawk” in some European capitals.
The Chilling of the Fourth Estate After 10 Years of Modi (Amrita Singh, Foreign Policy)
Given a weak opposition and his preference for top-down communication, there is no platform, except for such interviews, where Modi could be questioned for his actions and Indians can witness the prime minister be put on a spot.
