Chinese President Xi Jinping isn't winging it—he's spent years studying the Soviet Union's missteps and crafting a long-term strategy to position China in a new era of economic and geopolitical rivalry with the U.S. As trade talks heat up, his approach reflects lessons from history, aiming to avoid the pitfalls that doomed the USSR.

Editor’s Note: This isn't just about tariffs or trade deficits—it's about how Xi sees the big picture. The Cold War comparison frames today's tensions as part of a much longer game, where China is trying to outmaneuver the U.S. without repeating past failures. For anyone watching global power shifts, Xi's strategy reveals how seriously Beijing takes this rivalry.

This story digs into a revealing moment from 1976 when Singapore’s founding leader, Lee Kuan Yew, deftly pushed back against Chinese attempts to sway Singapore’s identity during an official visit. Drawing from a new memoir by former Straits Times editor Cheong Yip Seng, it shows how Lee made it clear—without confrontation—that Singapore wouldn’t be treated as a satellite of China, even as he navigated delicate diplomatic ties.

Editor’s Note: It’s a sharp reminder of how small nations carve out their independence in a world dominated by big players. Lee’s subtle but firm stance back then still echoes today, as Singapore balances relations with China while guarding its sovereignty—a tightrope act that’s more relevant than ever with rising global tensions.

China’s ambassador to Australia made waves by suggesting Canberra ignore NATO’s push for higher defense spending—backed by the U.S.—and instead work with Beijing to solve regional tensions. Analysts call the move "grandstanding," arguing it’s more likely to deepen Australia’s skepticism toward China than change its policies, especially as PM Albanese prepares for a visit to China and Australia debates its military budget.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just diplomatic noise—it’s a telling moment in the fragile Australia-China relationship. Beijing’s blunt advice feels like overreach to many, and it risks hardening Australia’s stance at a time when both sides are trying to stabilize ties. The subtext? China’s uneasy about Australia cozying up to NATO and the U.S., and it’s not subtle about it.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi privately told EU leaders that Beijing is worried about Russia losing the war in Ukraine—not out of solidarity, but because it could free up the U.S. to turn its full attention toward China. Wang denied sending military aid to Moscow, even quipping that the war would’ve ended already if they had. The candid remark caught some European officials off guard, confirming long-held suspicions about China’s strategic priorities.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about Ukraine—it’s a glimpse into China’s bigger anxieties. If Russia collapses, Beijing could face a more aggressive U.S. stance, reshaping global power dynamics. The admission also undermines China’s carefully crafted "neutral" image, revealing its real stakes in the conflict. For the West, it’s a red flag about how deeply intertwined the two authoritarian giants really are.

The UK's High Court has backed the government's decision to label activist group Palestine Action as a "terrorist organisation," rejecting a legal challenge to overturn the ban. The ruling solidifies the crackdown on the group, which has been known for its aggressive protests against companies linked to Israel.

A UK High Court judge just shot down Palestine Action's attempt to delay the government's move to label them as a terrorist organization. This means the ban—which would criminalize membership and activities—is one step closer to taking effect.

Jeremy Corbyn’s potential new political party is sparking debate about whether it could siphon votes from Labour. Supporters argue there’s untapped potential to the left of Labour, with millions of disenchanted voters up for grabs. But the bigger question is whether this move would split the progressive vote and weaken Labour’s chances in future elections.

India is emerging as a potential counterbalance to China's growing influence in Global South alliances like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and BRICS. While China uses these platforms to push for a multipolar world order that favors developing nations, India’s strategic moves—like advocating for regional security concerns or strengthening ties with Western powers—could complicate Beijing’s leadership ambitions. The recent SCO defense meeting hinted at these underlying tensions, setting the stage for a geopolitical tug-of-war ahead of the bloc’s autumn summit.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about diplomatic posturing—it’s a high-stakes game over who gets to shape the future of Global South alliances. China wants to lead, but India’s presence (and its own ambitions) could disrupt that plan. For smaller nations in these blocs, the rivalry might mean more bargaining power—or tougher choices about aligning with Beijing or Delhi. Keep an eye on the SCO summit later this year; it could reveal whether India’s pushback gains traction.