In the USA and Europe, immigration is the root cause of the new identity crisis. In China and Asia, it’s about politics and Taiwan. There seems to be a new global quest for identity similar to the one that shaped nation-states two centuries ago, moving away from old royal identities. America was a nation of […]
In the Trump-Xi meeting, the long-term issues are the backdrop the two won’t discuss. They strain bilateral ties, but are too thorny to touch. Both will wait for the midterm elections. (based on a conversation with Marco Mayer) The May 13-15 Beijing summit between US and Chinese presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping takes place […]
On the eve of Trump’s visit to China, the outline of a new Cold War looms larger. Only the Holy See might help. In November 2011, President Barack Obama launched the historic “Pivot to Asia.” After centuries of focus on transatlantic relations, the US shifted its attention to the Asia-Pacific (and to China in particular), […]
Can the UK bridge the widening transatlantic gap? Beyond Trump’s intemperance, many American complaints about Europe are real and are driving the old continent adrift. Can King Charles bring new unity between the two sides of the Atlantic, now drifting apart more than ever? The time is momentous. He goes to the US next week […]
The US and Iran have reached a plateau where they could really negotiate, as the power balance in Tehran evolves. Meanwhile, China’s game could be at a turning point, and the Pope is in it. In a twilight between war and peace, Iran may not yet have found its new dimension. The nation is in […]
As the first round of negotiations between the US and Iran failed, Chinese interests may loom larger, and Tehran may need a deal with America more than ever. The Iran of the ayatollahs has institutional and strategic depth. The institutional depth was evident after the attack in mid-June of last year. The regime did not […]
The US is in a tough spot with Hormuz, but China has recently gotten involved, and its situation might not be much better. A few days ago, a Chinese netizen calling himself laohu (tiger) posted a video that went viral. It told Iranians they could search for heat traces in the sky using infrared spectrum, […]
