Category: Diplomacy
The U.S. Doesn’t Seem Sure of What to Make of the China-Brokered Deal
Publicly, the White House says it supports anything that "de-escalates tensions" in the Mideast. Privately, there's probably a lot more teeth-gnashing going on in the corridors of the National Security Council (NSC.) This is because the deal gives China a huge diplomatic win while also bolstering Washington's ...
U.S. Conservatives Blast Biden for Iran-Saudi Arabia Deal, Say It Highlights American Decline
Conservative U.S. lawmakers and the right-wing media reacted strongly to the news that China had brokered a restoration of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia on Friday, blaming President Joe Biden for what they say is more evidence of the administration's failed foreign policy:
WEEK IN REVIEW: Japan Will Upgrade Ties With ASEAN Later This Year To “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Japan will upgrade its ties with the Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN later this year to a "comprehensive strategic partnership" -- joining both the United States and China at this level. Tokyo is moving quickly to strengthen its ties in the region in response to heightened tensions with China and ...
China Announces Double-Digit Budget Increase for Diplomacy
China is sharply increasing its budget for diplomacy and influence-building around the world after three years of retreat from the world stage. The announcement of a 12.2% increase follows Foreign Minister Qin Gang’s recent comment that “Chinese ...
U.S. Generals Warn Congress About China’s Growing Presence in the Americas
China featured prominently in this week’s U.S. House Armed Services Committee testimony on U.S. national security challenges in North and South America. This follows an annual threat assessment by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which emphasized cooperation between China and Russia. ...
China Shouldn’t be Surprised More Countries in Asia Are Turning to the U.S., Says Envoy to Japan
Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, blamed China for increasing tensions in East Asia. Speaking with CNN, he framed regional military buildups and the strengthening of U.S.-centric blocs like the Quad (a defense-focused alliance between the U.S., Australia, Japan and India) as responses to Chinese aggression. Beijing tends to ...
China is the “Clear and Present Danger” Facing Australia, Warn Security Analysts
Australia should prepare for a U.S.-China war within three years and should consider reinstating the draft and reintroducing nuclear weapons. These were some of the talking points at a recent roundtable convened by the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age on national ...
China Unexpectedly Backs Sri Lanka Debt Plan, Clearing the Way for Desperately-needed IMF Rescue Funds
After months of delays and obfuscation, the China Exim Bank suddenly and unexpectedly reversed course this week and agreed to fully support Colombo's debt restructuring plan. President Ranil Wickremesinghe broke the news on Tuesday when he told parliament that China Exim would ...
Qin Gang’s Press Conference Offered Many Global South Takeaways, Between the Punches Thrown at the U.S.
Qin Gang's first press conference as foreign minister on the sidelines of the National People's Congress now underway in Beijing will be remembered for his warning to the United States that if Washington really wants to pick a fight with China, then that's what they'll get.
eSwatini PM Visits Taiwan, Reaffirms Diplomatic Support
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen welcomed eSwatini Prime Minister Cleopas Sipho Dlamini during an official visit to Taipei. The prime minister expressed the Kingdom's support for Taiwan's admission to the United Nations and criticized China's efforts to coerce the island through "any ...
Latin America Was Once an Afterthought for China… Not Anymore
In just the past twenty years, China's trade with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean surged 26-fold to almost half-a-trillion dollars. The region is also now a major destination for Chinese foreign investment and becoming a critically important new front ...
Ajay Banga in Africa to Rally Support for World Bank Leadership Amid Stand-off With China
Ajay Banga, U.S. President Joe Biden’s nominee to head the World Bank, is on a ‘listening tour’ of Africa to drum up support for his nomination. Banga kicked off his visit to the continent in Ivory Coast and Kenya. As a veteran ...