China's President Xi Jinping addresses the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, July 26, 2018. Gulshan Khan/Pool via REUTERS
Peter Apps, Reuters: China’s plans to reshape the world
Ten years ago on Wednesday, the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics showcased a fast-growing, economically powerful China with unmistakable ambitions to be a major global player. Just a few days ago, the Chinese authorities demolished the studio of artist Ai Weiwei, designer of the iconic “bird’s nest” stadium and now an exiled dissident in Germany. It was the latest sign of how the world’s most populous country has evolved under President Xi Jinping – simultaneously more self-confident yet paranoid, and no longer nearly so bothered what the rest of the world thinks.
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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- August 9, 2018
President Xi Jinping’s policies trigger an academic backlash in China -- Gordon Watts, Asia Times
What it's like to do business in China -- Jeff Spross, The Week
India's Strategic Roadmap -- T.V. Paul, National Interest
U.S. Turns up Heat on Iran’s Economy Adding Fuel To Massive Protests -- Keith Johnson, Foreign Policy
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Picks a Very Strange Fight with Canada -- Robin Wright, New Yorker
Is Turkey heading for an economic crisis? -- Andrew Walker, BBC
3 Things to Know About Iraq's Protests -- Daniel Benaim and Minna Jaffery, National Interest
‘We Can’t Stay Here’: Inside Algeria’s Mass Expulsions of Sub-Saharan Migrants -- Leila Beratto, WPR
How a Warrior-Poindexter Helped Ethiopia and Eritrea Make Peace -- Richard Poplak, The Atlantic
Zimbabwe’s sour election a blow to the country – and the region -- William Saunderson-Meyer, Reuters
What next for Zimbabwe's embattled opposition? -- AFP
‘Battle for Africa’: Russia Pushes Into ‘Free Country for the Taking’ In Attempt to Rival the West -- Jack Losh, Newsweek
Color Revolution in the Caucasus rattles Russian leaders -- M.K. Bhadrakumar, Asia Times
Iván Duque takes charge in Colombia -- The Economist
Was the Maduro drone attack a fake? -- Stephen Bryen, Asia Times
