Good to Know: The U.S. commitment to Taiwan Jeremy Wallace - January 10, 2024 U.S.-Taiwan relations are complicated. Here's an explainer.
Back to face-to-face: What you need to know about the Biden-Xi summit Jeremy Wallace - November 16, 2023 Talk between nuclear-armed superpowers is usually a good thing.
Are U.S.-China relations on the mend? Jeremy Wallace - October 19, 2023 Tensions remain, despite efforts to boost bilateral talks.
What China’s economic slowdown means for the world Jeremy Wallace - September 20, 2023 It’s a slowdown, not a collapse.
‘Great power competition’ is a dangerous narrative for U.S. foreign policy Stacie Goddard - September 20, 2023 We need a more nuanced approach.
These were our 10 most popular posts of 2022 E.J. Graff - December 30, 2022 The Monkey Cage 2022 roundup: Top 10
Leaders around the world made bold moves in 2022. They didn’t always succeed. Elizabeth N. Saunders - December 29, 2022 The TMC 2022 roundups: The international beat
Why protesters are targeting Xi Jinping for China’s ‘zero covid’ failures Jeremy Wallace - November 30, 2022 Protests across China reveal the depth of anger and frustration over strict government lockdown policies
Chinese protesters are out in record numbers. What changed? William Hurst - November 28, 2022 Five typical grievances tend to ignite street protests in China. Before the weekend, there was little overlap between the various strands of protest.
What has changed between China and Taiwan? Scott L. Kastner - November 10, 2022 Even before the latest surge in tensions, the risk of conflict in the Taiwan Strait was on the rise
China’s top leadership excludes women for the first time in two decades Shan-Jan Liu - November 10, 2022 Is Xi Jinping’s new all-male Politburo backing away from the communist party’s commitment to advancing women?
How does the U.S. block China from getting microchips made abroad? Henry Farrell - October 8, 2022 There is a long history behind the global control America has over semiconductors.
China and India weren’t critical of Putin’s war. Did that change? Rohan Mukherjee - September 26, 2022 Neither country was inclined to defend a global order that denies their status aspirations, but the war’s impact may be forcing a rethink
China had another hot summer — and another electricity crisis Edmund Downie - September 2, 2022 In Sichuan province, power generation tumbled as demand skyrocketed. That might boost low-carbon policies.
Taiwanese people will be reassured by Pelosi’s visit, research says Yao-Yuan Yeh, Fang-Yu Chen, Charles K.S. Wu, and Austin Horng-En Wang - August 2, 2022 A high-level visit might boost confidence in U.S. security commitments
How popular is Putin, really? John Reuter, Noah Buckley, Kyle L. Marquardt, and Katerina Tertytchnaya - April 12, 2022 The image of Putin’s popularity bolsters his actual popularity, our research finds. But staged perceptions of popularity can be fragile.
Ukraine invasion tests the relationship between Russia and China Elizabeth Wishnick and Andrew Taffer - March 14, 2022 Their ‘unlimited’ partnership may have some limits after all
There’s a reason Putin can be so aggressive: Oil. Jeff D. Colgan and Jessica Weeks - February 27, 2022 Putin’s personalist rule leaves few domestic checks on his power.
When Xi and Putin declared a united front against the United States Stacie Goddard - February 8, 2022 A February 2022 joint statement reveals strong views about sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Africa’s leaders often welcome Chinese private investment. How do African citizens feel? Xiaonan Wang, Margaret Pearson, and John McCauley - December 9, 2021 New research on over 400 projects shows how these investments can backfire politically.
The U.S. and China agreed to work together on climate action. What would push this cooperation forward? Dimitar Gueorguiev - November 12, 2021 Surveys reveal that Chinese citizens want their government to address climate risks
How Xi Jinping could rule China for life Ling Li - November 10, 2021 Claiming the title of party chairman would put the president in a league with Mao Zedong
What climate policies would Americans support? Steven Kull - November 3, 2021 There’s some surprising agreement across Democratic and Republican voters
What Xi Jinping’s ‘common prosperity’ goal means for China Jeremy Wallace - October 22, 2021 China's Communist party hopes to bridge a widening income gap, but it’s not that easy
China’s Evergrande is in trouble. But so is China’s top-down political economy. Susan H. Whiting - October 21, 2021 4 things to know about the distortions behind the real estate crisis
Would China’s move to join this transpacific trade pact push the U.S. to rejoin? It’s complicated. Kristen Hopewell - September 27, 2021 Membership would probably place China firmly at the center of regional and global supply chains.
Most Russians like China more than they like Europe or the U.S. But not Gen Z. Michal Onderco and Michal Smetana - September 1, 2021 Attitudes vary by age, gender and politics — and especially by how people feel about Putin
Two of China’s Belt and Road projects reveal a flaw in the G-7′s new global financing plan Alvin Camba - June 28, 2021 For some countries, megaprojects have political and infrastructure goals
When Defense Secretary Austin tried to call his Chinese counterpart, here’s what really got in the way Tom Fox - June 23, 2021 The U.S. and China have very different military structures.
China’s ‘wolf warrior’ diplomats like to talk tough Yaoyao Dai and Luwei Rose Luqiu - May 11, 2021 We analyzed 20 years of Chinese Foreign Ministry transcripts to track the increase in hostile language
Did the pandemic shake Chinese citizens’ trust in their government? We surveyed nearly 20,000 people to find out. Cary Wu - May 5, 2021 Children walk outside the Forbidden City during the Labor Day
Why do some Muslim-majority countries support China’s crackdown on Muslims? Jonathan Hoffman - May 3, 2021 Western countries have condemned the repression in Xinjiang, but Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt praised China’s efforts to restore ‘safety and security’
Was China behind last October’s power outage in India? Here’s what we know. Fiona Cunningham - April 28, 2021 Despite the conflict along the Indian border, China had reasons to avoid a cyberattack
Does the U.S.-China climate statement mean real cooperation ahead? Joanna Lewis - April 21, 2021 The joint statement suggests that China could boost its climate targets
Chinese investment in Africa involves more than megaprojects. Private enterprises also are making their mark. Yoon Jung Park - April 16, 2021 We looked at the impact of private Chinese investments in seven countries
Chinese leaders boast about China’s rising power. The real story is different. Yuen Yuen Ang - April 12, 2021 A closer read of embedded clues in China’s political communications reveals caution and insecurity
Western nations sanctioned China. Chinese media made the most of the criticism over Xinjiang. Jamie Gruffydd-Jones - March 31, 2021 Beijing has long capitalized on foreign pressure on human rights
China and Iran announced a new economic and security partnership. That’s not as alarming as it sounds. Lucille Greer and Esfandyar Batmanghelidj - March 31, 2021 China has similar deals with a number of Middle Eastern countries
North Korea conducted more missile tests. What happens next? Patricia M. Kim - March 27, 2021 The Biden administration faces three big challenges on the Korean Peninsula
Will Chinese funding help strengthen Africa’s climate change response? It’s complicated. Michael Addaney - March 18, 2021 Belt and Road-linked projects could boost infrastructure development — and industrialization
African countries are helping China go green. That may have a downside for Africans. Meredith DeBoom - March 12, 2021 Namibians could pay the price for cleaner energy in China.
China and India are pulling back from the brink. They’ve created a buffer zone and started talks. M. Taylor Fravel - March 3, 2021 Each side had deployed thousands of troops along the contested border.
U.S. policymakers often criticize Chinese investment in Africa. The research tells a more complicated story. Yoon Jung Park and Lina Benabdallah - February 18, 2021 This new series explores what’s really going on in debt relief, infrastructure and other critical issues across the continent
The U.S. banned Xinjiang cotton imports because of forced labor. Textile workers face abuses in other countries, too. Emmanuel Teitelbaum and Aparna Ravi - February 9, 2021 Consumers play a role in improving labor standards within the global fashion industry
Mike Pompeo accused China of committing ‘genocide,’ an international crime. Biden’s team agrees. Jessica Chen Weiss - January 22, 2021 This probably won’t lead to prosecutions but it will hurt China in the court of public opinion
China’s leaders say that Biden offers a ‘new window of hope.’ Their experts are more skeptical. Kacie Miura and Jessica Chen Weiss - January 21, 2021 Beijing is likely to seek short-term stability as it anticipates a long-term advantage
Ghana’s election was largely a referendum on President Akufo-Addo’s economic vision Richard Aidoo - December 15, 2020 His goal of developing without foreign aid could prove challenging after the pandemic
U.S.-China competition may be a win-win for Africa Naunihal Singh, Josephine Appiah-Nyamekye Sanny, and E. Gyimah-Boadi - November 19, 2020 Afrobarometer surveys find many Africans approve of U.S. and Chinese investment in the continent.
How China sees the U.S. policy of ‘strategic ambiguity’ in the Taiwan Strait Jie Dalei - October 15, 2020 Changes in U.S. policy have heightened Beijing’s concerns about an incremental drift toward Taiwan independence.
China announced new climate goals. But it can’t quit coal just yet. Joanna Lewis - September 28, 2020 Stringent domestic targets will be key to transforming a massive, carbon-intensive economy.
The State Department says the Chinese Communist Party controls Chinese companies. It’s not that simple. Meg Rithmire - September 7, 2020 State-funded Chinese firms at times actually subvert Beijing’s interests.
The U.S. is using harsh language about the Chinese Communist Party. Who joins the CCP — and why? Jessica Chen Weiss - July 24, 2020 The motivations for becoming a party member have changed over time
Trump-era racist rhetoric makes Chinese students in the U.S. less supportive of democracy Yiqing Xu and Jennifer Pan - July 17, 2020 Here’s what our research found.
How will China respond when low-income countries can’t pay their debts? Scott Wingo - June 30, 2020 Expect to see some leeway — but probably not forgiveness
Why are China and India skirmishing at their border? Here’s 4 things to know. M. Taylor Fravel - June 2, 2020 India is close to completing a major upgrade of border roads
What’s in store for Hong Kong? Look at Tibet. Allen Carlson - June 1, 2020 Here’s how Beijing’s promises of autonomy played out on the rooftop of the world
China’s new national security law for Hong Kong will erode Hong Kong’s autonomy Victoria Hui and Michael C. Davis - May 26, 2020 Here’s what you need to know
Does the global pandemic open new South China Sea opportunities for Beijing? Not really. M. Taylor Fravel - May 7, 2020 China is just continuing its longtime strategy
How coronavirus changes the political outlook in China and the U.S. Jessica Weiss - April 22, 2020 Tough talk on China may have consequences.
Not everyone in China thought the government could handle the coronavirus Timothy Hildebrandt, Reza Hasmath, Jennifer Y.J. Hsu, Jessica C. Teets, and Carolyn L. Hsu - April 17, 2020 In times of crisis, Chinese citizens think independent groups can provide needed assistance
Trump says the U.S. will pull out of the World Health Organization. China will happily fill the void. Daniel Nexon and Alexander Cooley - April 14, 2020 Trump complains that China has “total control” over the WHO, but his action will probably increase China’s influence.
China is reporting big successes in the coronavirus fight. Should we trust the numbers? Jeremy Wallace - March 23, 2020 Here’s why you should be skeptical.
Six years and $20 billion in Russian investment later, Crimeans are happy with Russian annexation Kristin Bakke, John O’Loughlin, and Gerard Toal - March 18, 2020 Our survey shows high levels of trust in Putin — though lower than in 2014.
China and the U.S. blame each other for the coronavirus. But both countries made similar mistakes. Rui Zhong - March 17, 2020 Communication lags may prove costly.
China is also relying on propaganda to tackle the covid-19 crisis Haifeng Huang - March 11, 2020 That includes Xi Jinping’s visit to Wuhan. So is the media blitz working?
Wuhan officials tried to cover up covid-19 — and sent it careening outward Dali L. Yang - March 10, 2020 Here are four new insights into what went wrong
In South Carolina, Democrats debated when a dictator is really a dictator. So what’s the answer? Valerie Bunce, Karrie J. Koesel, and Jessica Chen Weiss - February 27, 2020 Our new book explains.
China’s early warning system didn’t work on covid-19. Here’s the story. Dali L. Yang - February 24, 2020 Lies and coverups halted vital information.
Mike Pompeo criticized China for not respecting its neighbors’ territorial integrity. What’s the story? M. Taylor Fravel - February 21, 2020 Here’s how Beijing has resolved territorial disputes
Why China’s politics makes it easier — and harder — to control disease outbreaks Joan Kaufman - January 28, 2020 It’s not just about wild animal markets.
Bolton alleges that Trump helped out China’s leader on ZTE. What’s ZTE? Henry Farrell - January 28, 2020 Trump let a Chinese telecommunications firm off the hook after hearing from China’s president
China’s coronavirus outbreak has prompted some travel restrictions. That could backfire. Catherine Z. Worsnop - January 24, 2020 Countries don’t always follow WHO guidelines, and that’s a problem
The U.S. and China finally signed a trade agreement. Who won? Jiakun Zhang - January 20, 2020 Here’s why neither side got what it wanted
60 or so secessionist movements around the world want independence in 2020. Guess which one might succeed. Ryan Griffiths - January 3, 2020 International pressure helped these South Pacific islands move toward statehood
Will a signed trade deal ease U.S.-China tensions? Probably not. Donglin Han - January 2, 2020 White House tweets and comments also shape how Chinese people view the United States.
Mike Bloomberg said China isn’t a dictatorship. Is he right? Dimitar Gueorguiev - December 3, 2019 The Communist Party does listen to the people — sometimes
Why Xi Jinping’s Xinjiang policy is a major change in China’s ethnic politics David R. Stroup - November 19, 2019 Beijing’s “Sinicization” campaign extends well beyond Xinjiang.
Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi met again this month. Here are 4 things to know about Sino-Indian relations. Yogesh Joshi - October 21, 2019 Border tensions and India’s moves in Kashmir gave the two leaders plenty to discuss
Why are there anti-China protests in Central Asia? Bradley Jardine - October 16, 2019 The region is important to Beijing’s security strategy
U.S.-North Korea talks just broke down. Here’s what might happen next. Patricia M. Kim - October 10, 2019 Does Pyongyang have a playbook for the next few months?
China celebrates 70 years of communist rule. What explains the resilience of its regime? Jessica Chen Weiss - October 7, 2019 In 1989, the Chinese Communist Party survived popular unrest — while Europe’s communist regimes did not.
Why Taiwan is watching Hong Kong very closely Shelley Rigger - September 3, 2019 How ‘one country, two systems’ plays out in Hong Kong could factor into Taiwan’s 2020 elections.
China has reasons to keep fighting a trade war Thomas Gift - September 3, 2019 How a protracted tariff feud actually benefits Beijing.
Hong Kong waits for Beijing’s next move. Here’s what the experts say. Jessica Weiss - August 15, 2019 Why a military intervention could be costly on many fronts
With Boris Johnson in charge, will the U.K. face escalating international crises? Scott Wolford - July 23, 2019 Here’s what we know about new leaders and the risk of military conflict.
John Bolton is warning of a “Clash of Civilizations” with China. Here are the five things you need to know. Paul Musgrave - July 18, 2019 Academics and experts say that the “clash of civilizations” argument is misleading and destabilizing.
Adam Smith makes a case for higher tariffs — but it doesn’t work for Trump’s trade policy Brianne Wolf - July 11, 2019 The father of classical economics, defends tariffs, but only when they force others to agree to free trade
Is China a strategic partner or rival power? Scott Kennedy - July 2, 2019 Trump and Xi discussed trade in Osaka. But the U.S.-China relationship is far from stabilized.
Did Xi Jinping’s Pyongyang visit restart denuclearization diplomacy? Carla P. Freeman - June 26, 2019 Xi’s visit may have come at a vital moment for Kim Jong Un.
How Huawei could survive Trump Jordan Link - June 9, 2019 In Africa, basic connectivity needs and lower prices may outweigh security concerns.
Why the fragmentation of European politics could bode poorly for democracy Joseph Wright, Erica Frantz, and Andrea Kendall-Taylor - June 5, 2019 Reaching consensus in the new E.U. Parliament just got harder.
Why Maoism still resonates in China today Jeffrey Javed and Iza Ding - May 28, 2019 We found this nostalgia extends even to the Cultural Revolution.
What’s the response in China to the trade war? Jessica Chen Weiss - May 15, 2019 Here are three things to watch.
Beijing is counting on its massive Belt and Road Initiative. But are Chinese firms on board? Xiaojun Li and Ka Zeng - May 14, 2019 Our findings suggest this will be a tough sell.
No, China and the U.S. aren’t locked in an ideological battle. Not even close. Jessica Chen Weiss - May 4, 2019 Here are 3 things wrong with imagining we’re in a “clash of civilizations”
Because China isn’t ‘Caucasian,’ the U.S. is planning for a ‘clash of civilizations.’ That could be dangerous. Steven Ward - May 4, 2019 The United States tried that with Japan. It didn’t end well.
Why China’s May Fourth celebrations also bring new concerns for Beijing. James Carter - May 3, 2019 100 years ago, students protesters filled Tiananmen Square.
What might be lost as China and the U.S. make it harder for scholars to travel back and forth? Xiaoyu Pu - May 1, 2019 Academics and researchers can help foreign policymakers better understand the implications of their decisions.
The E.U. will start screening foreign investment. Here’s the full story. Sophie Meunier - April 10, 2019 Concerns about Chinese investment may be overrated, however.
Here’s why Kim Jong Un put sanctions first — and why North Korea is not Vietnam Stephan Haggard and Marcus Noland - February 28, 2019 Trump wants North Korea to follow Vietnam’s development path.