The Diplomat has removed paywall restrictions on our coverage of the crisis.We often ascribe a basic level of humanity to even the cruelest leaders, but People’s Republic of China leader Xi Jinping’s actions have forced us to rethink this assumption. Although the emergence of the novel coronavirus now known as SARS-CoV-2 was , the emphasis that its authoritarian system places on likely gave the disease a sizable head start . But most ominously, China’s obsession with image and Machtpolitik raises serious questions about its lack of moral limits.At some point the Chinese Communist Party...…The Diplomat has removed paywall restrictions on our coverage of the crisis.We often ascribe a basic level of humanity to even the cruelest leaders, but People’s Republic of China leader Xi Jinping’s actions have forced us to rethink this assumption. Although the emergence of the novel coronavirus now known as SARS-CoV-2 was , the emphasis that its authoritarian system places on likely gave the disease a sizable head start . But most ominously, China’s obsession with image and Machtpolitik raises serious questions about its lack of moral limits.At some point the Chinese Communist Party...WW…

The Diplomat has removed paywall restrictions on our coverage of the crisis.We often ascribe a basic level of humanity to even the cruelest leaders, but People’s Republic of China leader Xi Jinping’s actions have forced us to rethink this assumption. Although the emergence of the novel coronavirus now known as SARS-CoV-2 was , the emphasis that its authoritarian system places on likely gave the disease a sizable head start . But most ominously, China’s obsession with image and Machtpolitik raises serious questions about its lack of moral limits.At some point the Chinese Communist Party...…The Diplomat has removed paywall restrictions on our coverage of the crisis.We often ascribe a basic level of humanity to even the cruelest leaders, but People’s Republic of China leader Xi Jinping’s actions have forced us to rethink this assumption. Although the emergence of the novel coronavirus now known as SARS-CoV-2 was , the emphasis that its authoritarian system places on likely gave the disease a sizable head start . But most ominously, China’s obsession with image and Machtpolitik raises serious questions about its lack of moral limits.At some point the Chinese Communist Party...WW…

Last week, the U.S. Air Force announced that the Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) nuclear-armed cruise missile, a modernized U.S. nuclear capability, will be solely sourced from Raytheon. The decision ruled out an alternative bid by Lockheed Martin, which had its own design for the air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) that is slated to replace the AGM-86 ALCM.The decision marks the effective end of the LRSO’s Technical Maturation and Risk (TMRR) phase, whereby both Lockheed Martin and Raytheon had competed and offered separate LRSO designs. The TMRR began in August 2017.“Our competitive TMRR phase,...…Last week, the U.S. Air Force announced that the Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) nuclear-armed cruise missile, a modernized U.S. nuclear capability, will be solely sourced from Raytheon. The decision ruled out an alternative bid by Lockheed Martin, which had its own design for the air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) that is slated to replace the AGM-86 ALCM.The decision marks the effective end of the LRSO’s Technical Maturation and Risk (TMRR) phase, whereby both Lockheed Martin and Raytheon had competed and offered separate LRSO designs. The TMRR began in August 2017.“Our competitive TMRR phase,...WW…

While the world is preoccupied with a fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Beijing has been tightening its political grip on all aspects of Hong Kong’s civil society. Rumor has it that Beijing will push through legislating national security laws under Article 23 of Hong Kong’s Basic Law by unconventional means, such as massively disqualifying pro-democratic legislators or even directly applying a national law, widely argued as a major step to destroy the rights and freedom of Hong Kongers, and bring Chinese authoritarianism to Hong Kong.After the 2019 protests, the administration of Carrie...…While the world is preoccupied with a fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Beijing has been tightening its political grip on all aspects of Hong Kong’s civil society. Rumor has it that Beijing will push through legislating national security laws under Article 23 of Hong Kong’s Basic Law by unconventional means, such as massively disqualifying pro-democratic legislators or even directly applying a national law, widely argued as a major step to destroy the rights and freedom of Hong Kongers, and bring Chinese authoritarianism to Hong Kong.After the 2019 protests, the administration of Carrie...WW…

The Diplomat has removed paywall restrictions on our coverage of the crisis.One would expect a global crisis to unite the whole of humanity, but examples of discrimination around the world amid the COVID-19 pandemic are sadly numerous. In Pakistan, even during a global pandemic, discrimination on the basis of religion continues. From referring to the virus as “the Shia virus” to requiring Christians to recite the kalima to receive aid to denying ration bags to the Hindu community in Lyari after seeing their national identity cards (CNIC) — these are only a few examples of faith-based...…The Diplomat has removed paywall restrictions on our coverage of the crisis.One would expect a global crisis to unite the whole of humanity, but examples of discrimination around the world amid the COVID-19 pandemic are sadly numerous. In Pakistan, even during a global pandemic, discrimination on the basis of religion continues. From referring to the virus as “the Shia virus” to requiring Christians to recite the kalima to receive aid to denying ration bags to the Hindu community in Lyari after seeing their national identity cards (CNIC) — these are only a few examples of faith-based...WW…

As a result of COVID-19, heavy hitters in the United States and elsewhere are talking about investments and supply chains out of China. This dovetails with existing strategic concerns about Beijing. When looking around the Indo-Pacific for an alternative democracy-compatible, large market that has the potential to be increasingly strategically useful, pops to the fore.The Indian strategic community knows it and is chomping at the bit to “take the tide at the flood” and use the opening to redefine India’s place in the world. There is even of floating an Indo-Pacific Charter to replace the...…As a result of COVID-19, heavy hitters in the United States and elsewhere are talking about investments and supply chains out of China. This dovetails with existing strategic concerns about Beijing. When looking around the Indo-Pacific for an alternative democracy-compatible, large market that has the potential to be increasingly strategically useful, pops to the fore.The Indian strategic community knows it and is chomping at the bit to “take the tide at the flood” and use the opening to redefine India’s place in the world. There is even of floating an Indo-Pacific Charter to replace the...WW…

The Diplomat has removed paywall restrictions on our coverage of the crisis.Get first-read access to major articles yet to be released, as well as links to thought-provoking commentaries and in-depth articles from our Asia-Pacific correspondents.…The Diplomat has removed paywall restrictions on our coverage of the crisis.Get first-read access to major articles yet to be released, as well as links to thought-provoking commentaries and in-depth articles from our Asia-Pacific correspondents.WW…

With successful containment of COVID-19, Chinese politicians and media have hailed the Chinese system and praised Xi Jinping’s leadership. The people of China, in line with the government’s rhetoric, have also along with mocking other nations’ performance. Nationalistic self-congratulations and boasts are not exclusive to any nation, nor is it a modern phenomenon. As explained by , it was common for the feudal Chinese court to salute the greatness of the emperor and glorify the middle kingdom. He regards this “blandishment culture” (颂圣文化) as a “defect within Chinese history.”Yet, with the...…With successful containment of COVID-19, Chinese politicians and media have hailed the Chinese system and praised Xi Jinping’s leadership. The people of China, in line with the government’s rhetoric, have also along with mocking other nations’ performance. Nationalistic self-congratulations and boasts are not exclusive to any nation, nor is it a modern phenomenon. As explained by , it was common for the feudal Chinese court to salute the greatness of the emperor and glorify the middle kingdom. He regards this “blandishment culture” (颂圣文化) as a “defect within Chinese history.”Yet, with the...WW…

The Diplomat has removed paywall restrictions on our coverage of the crisis.Efforts to combat COVID-19 have taken a toll on trade and economic growth worldwide, but North Korea’s decision to close its border to prevent the spread of COVID-19 domestically has essentially brought its trade with China to a halt.After shutting its border with China in late January, North Korean exports to China declined by in the first two months of the year. The full extent of the damage was unclear at the time, however, because China changed its reporting to include January and February data in a combined...…The Diplomat has removed paywall restrictions on our coverage of the crisis.Efforts to combat COVID-19 have taken a toll on trade and economic growth worldwide, but North Korea’s decision to close its border to prevent the spread of COVID-19 domestically has essentially brought its trade with China to a halt.After shutting its border with China in late January, North Korean exports to China declined by in the first two months of the year. The full extent of the damage was unclear at the time, however, because China changed its reporting to include January and February data in a combined...WW…

Taiwan’s pro baseball league played the first game of its 2020 season on April 12, becoming one of the few leagues to resume its schedule as the world battles the coronavirus pandemic and drawing interest from global fans eager to watch live sports.Fans in Taiwan can’t attend ballgames, however: Large gatherings remain banned in Taiwan, so some teams have replaced spectators with robots and cardboard cutouts.Taiwan’s Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) is believed to be the only major pro baseball league holding games. Its Super Basketball League (SBL), meanwhile, has completed its...…Taiwan’s pro baseball league played the first game of its 2020 season on April 12, becoming one of the few leagues to resume its schedule as the world battles the coronavirus pandemic and drawing interest from global fans eager to watch live sports.Fans in Taiwan can’t attend ballgames, however: Large gatherings remain banned in Taiwan, so some teams have replaced spectators with robots and cardboard cutouts.Taiwan’s Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) is believed to be the only major pro baseball league holding games. Its Super Basketball League (SBL), meanwhile, has completed its...WW…