Category: Analysis

Will Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling Actually Be Economical?

Commentary It’s one of the biggest unanswered questions as electric vehicles (EVs) rapidly proliferate: What will happen to all of the degraded lithium-ion batteries once the vehicles reach the end of their lives? “Recycling” is the optimistic solution offered by EV advocates and supporters of green technology, but will battery recycling actually make economic and…


The World Is Gradually Shifting Toward Taiwan

News Analysis In the past, countries allowed Beijing to dictate their relationship with Taiwan, under threat of economic sanctions. Gradually, free democracies are increasing their engagement with the island nation, in spite of the Chinese regime’s bullying. Over the past few years, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has become more and more belligerent, while attempting…


Biden Administration Reveals a Hardening Stance Against China That Is Too Little, Too Late

Commentary The Biden administration is trying to build alliances in Asia to deter Beijing from attacking Taiwan, but their measures are too weak. At this late stage, America can only lead through bold action. On Nov. 7, reports emerged of China mocking up multiple targets on its missile range in the Xinjiang region to appear…


Xi Jinping’s Bid for a Third Term: Shaping China’s Future

Commentary The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) just passed a resolution that lavished superfluous praises on its leader Xi Jinping, who is attempting to secure a third term ahead of the Party’s 20th Congress in 2022. At the end of its 6th plenary session, the CCP adopted a historical resolution on the “major achievements and historical experience”…


The World Continues to Follow China’s Lead in Containing the Pandemic

Commentary It appears the Chinese regime is under pressure, as the international community criticizes its “zero-covid” policy that’s wrecking the economy. However, the world continues to follow China’s pandemic measures to varying degrees. By March 2020, the world began to follow the Chinese model of pandemic control, including masks, lockdowns, and school closures, despite significant…


China’s Refusal to Cooperate at COP26 Summit Shows How Fragile Its Economy Has Become

Commentary China’s refusal to fully cooperate in fighting climate change could indicate that it is hiding the true state of its economy. In Glasgow, where the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) is currently taking place from Oct. 31 to Nov. 12, China’s behavior and its lack of transparency shows that Beijing cannot be trusted….


Owning Home Elusive as Rise in Cost of Mortgage Payments Far Outpace Wage Growth

News Analysis For Americans seeking to buy a home, this year has likely brought much frustration. A nexus of several natural and man-made factors culminated in the tightest residential real estate markets in recent memory. While median wages increased by 4.3 percent October-to-October this year vs last, typical mortgage payment (30-year fixed rate with 10…


Chinese Military Deliveries of the COVID-19 Vaccine: Exercising Soft Power

News Analysis The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has been particularly active in projecting China’s soft power during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The fleet follows the flag,” goes the old saying. It has its roots in the arguments of the eminent 19th century naval strategist, Alfred Thayer Mahan, who contended that seapower depended on trade. “Commerce was king,”…


Biden Right to Issue Broad Invitation for Democracy Summit

Commentary President Joe Biden is rightly promoting a democracy summit, but has needlessly excluded some American friends and allies, and failed to sufficiently focus on the growing threat from Beijing. With increasing authoritarianism globally, led by China and its allies, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, the time is right for Biden’s “democracy summit.” The summit,…


US Right to Refuse RCEP Trade Deal Favoring China

News Analysis China stands to be the big winner of RCEP, and it would have won even more if the United States had joined the multilateral trade deal. “With the RCEP going ahead officially, China will now be able to drive trade on its terms,” according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), claiming that…