Trump’s Taoist Solution

The situation is explosive, but Trump has a way out—do nothing, wu wei. It’s easier than pushing for something that grows harder by the day. An unstable mix of long- and short-term pulls is stoking tensions and bringing everyone closer to an unpredictable blast. Short-term US hesitation and zig-zags put many countries close to the […]

A US Cavalier in Asia

Hegseth’s speech in Singapore about China may not have reassured but worried allies and adversaries in the region. Is something that is not quite right in America today? Washington should deeply rethink its steps. In his recent speech in Singapore, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth pledged to defend the region against Chinese aggression and […]

Slumber into Total War

BRI, BRICS, and the US retreat are fraying the old global order and kindling sudden flare-ups. China needs essential reforms to lead the world, but they are tricky. The US could make it, but its bets are high risk. Is everyone sleepwalking into destruction like before WWI?   The recent brief but violent clash between […]

Pope Leo and Four Ways for War

The May 11 trade agreement between the US and China was beneficial for calming the markets, which were edgy about a massive tariff war that could upset the global economy. It was also important as it established a mechanism for constant exchanges to keep bilateral tensions in check and avoid sudden disruptive explosions. However, behind […]

The American Pope

Pope Prevost shortens the distance between the Vatican and Washington, imparting a new, unprecedented dynamic to the USA and the world. China is left out, with still unclear consequences. (photo credit: Ninan Tan) As Italian political commentator Stefano Folli noted, the distance between the two banks of the Tiber, between political Rome and the Holy […]

Unravelling Trump

China isn’t blinking on tariffs; inflation and recession loom globally. The US has three choices moving forward, all extremely tricky, while Beijing waits and reacts, fighting a trade guerrilla. Over the past week, US officials have stated that talks with China on tariffs have begun, only for Beijing to deny it each time. The Trump […]

Poping the World

Markets are very volatile, trust in the US is slipping, and a trend towards multi-alignment could disrupt the existing international architecture. The Vatican will also be confronted with these problems Pope Francis’s funerals on Saturday 26 will end a very turbulent few days when American markets rose and slipped following US rumors of ongoing trade […]