Category: Thinking About China

The National Security Threat of China’s Base in Cuba

Commentary The revelation that communist China has an expanding base in Cuba is a direct threat to U.S. national security for five major reasons. First, what is true in real estate is also true in intelligence collection: location matters. The base offers China the ability to collect intelligence some 90 miles from U.S. shores, which…


China in Cuba: Nuclear-Armed Communists on the Warpath

Originally published by Gatestone Institute Commentary China, according to “fragmentary” U.S. intelligence reports, is about to establish a “joint military training facility” with Cuba on that island. Chinese military personnel are already listening in on American communications from the Lourdes base near Havana and three other Cuban locations. Two of those locations have been known for some time: Bejucal…


Death Threats and Bomb Scares

Commentary China’s transnational repression is hitting New Yorkers. On June 21, a former New York City cop, Michael McMahon, was convicted of acting as an illegal Chinese agent and stalking and intimidating a New Jersey resident. The victim, Xu Jin, was a former official from Wuhan, China. McMahon was hired as a private investigator to…


China’s ‘One-and-Done’ Arms Buyers

Commentary What is the secret to success as an arms exporter? Repeat business. Countries buy arms from certain suppliers for specific reasons: performance, reliability, cost, alliance politics, and so on. An important sign of success as an arms producer is building up a large and reliable overseas customer base—countries that return, year upon year, to…


Cyber Threats From China and Russia

Commentary Increasing cyberattacks, particularly against the energy sector, demonstrate the cyber threats posed by China and Russia. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) reported on June 15 that a number of government departments experienced intrusions linked to MOVEit, a file transfer software. The Russian ransomware gang known as CLOP or TA505 claimed responsibility…


China Retreats From Southeast Asia

Commentary In yet another sign of China’s economic and financial troubles, Beijing has dramatically diminished its financial presence in Southeast Asia. Once preeminent, China finds itself today eclipsed by others. If Xi Jinping and his colleagues in Beijing still dream of global dominance, it must look further away than ever as China retreats from its…


The Chinese Military Won’t Talk to Us. So What?

Commentary If you want to make Americans uncomfortable—or desperate—don’t talk to them. During his recent visit to China, Secretary of State Antony Blinken repeatedly asked his hosts to set up a military-to-military crisis communications hotline. They declined. John Aquilino, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, complained earlier this year that the Chinese ignored his requests to…


Biden Admin Bows to Beijing

Commentary The fact that U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has flown to China to discuss key points of contention indicates that the United States is more concerned about what China might do instead of China being concerned about potential U.S. actions across a spectrum of issues. In other words, the Biden administration appears to…


Stop Talking With Communist China, Start Defending America

Commentary Veni, vidi, vici. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken came to Beijing, saw and kowtowed to Xi Jinping, and yet another American diplomat was conquered by communist China’s “endless delay” negotiating strategy. I know this negotiating strategy all too well from my four years in the Trump White House trying to negotiate an end to…


Russia Emerges as a Victor in the Endless, Vital Great Game

Commentary Russia appears to have finally won secure access to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, the goal it has pursued vigorously since the 17th century. The old Great Game may be over, but a new one has begun. Russia’s new strategic logistical link and political alliances southward to the Indian Ocean have resulted…