Autocracy’s ‘Loyal Losers’
Even the most capable autocrats need help hanging on to power. Mediocre officials are often best for the job, according to new research.
Taiwan
Trump’s shifting remarks on Taiwan are perfect for China to exploit
President’s remarks about Taiwan arms deals being a ‘negotiating chip’ with Beijing have been seized on by Chinese state mediaIt has been an unsettling few days for Taiwan’s government. When Donald Trump met Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, many fear…
China condemns Conservative MP’s Taiwan trip after ambassador’s warning
China claims sovereignty over democratically governed Taiwan, and says by allowing MPs to travel there, Canada is ‘interfering in China’s internal affairs.’
Trump’s China Summit Falls Flat, Exposes Divergent Narratives And Limited Progress
The summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People on 14 May 2026 was marked by sharply divergent narratives from Washington and Beijing. Both sides brought senior officials responsible for foreign affairs, defence and economic policy, with China represented by thirteen officials and the US by eleven. Xi repeated familiar language
Trump Uses Taiwan Arms Sales as Bargaining Chip With China, in a Risky Move
The president said a potential arms deal for Taiwan was a “very good negotiating chip” in talks with Beijing. His words raise questions about the reliability of U.S. support.
Trump Discussed U.S. Arms Sales With Xi ‘In Great Detail’
The engagement between the president and the Chinese leader may have tested a decades-old U.S. assurance to Taiwan not to consult Beijing on the topic.
Xi Pitches His Vision for Avoiding Conflict With the U.S.
Having fought the Trump administration to a draw, China’s Xi Jinping is proposing “constructive strategic stability,” aimed at drawing lines he thinks the U.S. should not cross.
What was actually achieved at Trump and Xi’s ‘stalemate summit’ in Beijing?
US president said he and Chinese leader ‘settled a lot of different problems’ but gave little detail on solutionsTrump China visit live – latest updatesDonald Trump’s whirlwind trip to Beijing – the first US presidential visit in nearly a decade – wrap…
Xi Warns Trump of Clashes Over Taiwan As Beijing Summit Highlights Fragile China‑US Ties
Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a stark warning to US President Donald Trump in Beijing today, cautioning that mishandling the Taiwan issue could push the two nations into “clashes and even conflicts,” placing the entire bilateral relationship in jeopardy.The remarks underscored Taiwan as the most sensitive flashpoint in China‑US ties, even as both leaders sought to project cooperation during
‘Tale of two readouts’: White House statement curiously breaks from China’s in taut summit
A White House statement about Trump’s discussion with Chinese leader Xi Jinping curiously took on a different tone from what counterparts put out, reporters noticed.Politico correspondent Phelim Kine posted on X that the White House statement touted d…