Tag: pla

Commentary Can mass indoctrination save Xi Jinping? Times of turmoil and transition are always unstable and unpredictable; the mood of the “crowd” becomes critical and mercurial. The narrowness of the power base around a leader makes the ruler vulnerable and, of necessity, paranoid. Even trustworthy factions and supporters are not trusted. Neither is the loyalty of the crowd, regardless of ...

Commentary In the early 2010s, China started building a constellation of artificial islands in the Spratly Islands. At the time, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leadership promised not to militarize these islands. That turned out to be a lie, and several islands were subsequently constructed with airstrips and harbors capable of accepting military aircraft and warships. In addition, these islands ...