A decade after the Syrian Jasmine Revolution’s unsuccessful struggle against Assad, the same revolutionaries defeated him in a week. What made the difference? Previously, Russian and Iranian military support propped up the regime. Now, those old allies are preoccupied elsewhere, depleted of their forces, and unable to provide the blood transfusions that once kept the […]
A Holy US Roman Empire? Brief Notes
The presidential election of Donald Trump occurred due to many elements, including opposition to new, bold, and unusual ideas: the excesses of the woke movement and gender ideology, which some see as contrary to historical and common-sense perspectives. Recognizing the complexities and errors within historical evolution is one thing; trying to completely rewrite history according […]
Martial Complication from South Korea
The martial law in South Korea, proclaimed and then quickly withdrawn by President Yoon Suk Yeol, has opened a new chapter for China with ramifications for Russia and the Middle East. Over the weekend, Yoon could be forced to step down. The constitution requires a two-thirds parliamentary majority for such a move, and the opposition […]
China’s Political Problem with its Army
A more general political problem may be behind the new, recent mysterious purge hitting the Chinese military in the middle of a strategic modernization drive and indirectly confronted with the reality of two violent wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. China has suspended Admiral Miao Hua, number 5 in the official hierarchy and a […]
Putin’s Confusing War
A truce is necessary even to begin understanding Russia’s brinkmanship, as Moscow has reawakened the long-dormant monster of European militarism. Germany plans to build anti-raid shelters, France is considering sending troops, and Poland has tripled its military expenditures. Even sleepy Italy is contemplating a modest rearmament program. Russian President Vladimir Putin is walking on thin […]
The U.S.-China Fight Can Be Solved, But Will It?
Ideally, finding a long-lasting peace solution between the United States and Russia or Iran is hard. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine reflects Russia’s neo-Czarist ambitions and a rejection of the liberal order. Iran presents an even more complex issue, as its difficulties with the rest of the world are deeply rooted in religion. […]
Sketches for a US-China Strategy
President Donald Trump promised to end wars, not start them. Yet, he has announced what could become one of the most disruptive trade wars in history, shaking the foundations of global commerce. He stated he would impose sweeping tariff hikes—up to 60%—against imports from China, the nation he views as a strategic adversary, and 10% […]