Democracy, Authoritarian Capitalism, and China: Crash Course World History 230

In which John Green teaches you about the end of World History, and the end of the world as we know it, kind of. For the last hundred years or so, it seemed that one important ingredient for running an economically successful country was a western-style democratic government. All evidence pointed to the idea that

Why Kazakhstan matters in China’s Belt and Road Initiative – DW News

The last two weeks have seen the worst violence in Kazakhstan since it gained independence from the Soviet Union 30 years ago. The country’s importance in terms of raw materials and trade has made the unrest of particular interest to Europe and neighboring Russia. And its massive neighbor to the east, China, is also watching

After Nicaragua flips, U.S. sanctions seen pushing Central America towards China

A creeping barrage of U.S. sanctions on top Central American officials has made China an attractive partner for governments resisting Washington’s push to tackle corruption and democratic backsliding in the region, officials and analysts say. The trend was thrust into focus this week when Nicaragua re-established ties with Beijing, severing a longstanding relationship with U.S. ally

Hong Kong press freedom is in ‘free fall’ as China’s journalism crackdown goes global, says Reporters Without Borders

In its latest report on the state of journalism in China, Reporters Without Borders says “the repression no longer spares Hong Kong, once a champion of press freedom.” A prominent international media watchdog says press freedom in Hong Kong is in “free fall,” as it voices concern over the increasing sophistication with which the Chinese

Protests in Pakistan erupt against China’s belt and road plan

Demonstrations shut down Gwadar, where Chinese are blamed for lack of water and electricity and threat to local fishing Protests have erupted in Pakistan’s port city Gwadar against a severe shortage of water and electricity and threats to livelihoods, part of a growing backlash against China’s multibillion-dollar belt and road projects in the country. This

Viktor Orbán censored a question Tucker Carlson asked about Xi Jinping, after the Fox host suggested Hungary was ‘freer’ than the US

Tucker Carlson interviewed Hungary’s authoritarian leader, Viktor Orbán, last week. Hungary initially scrubbed negative references to Chinese leader Xi Jinping from the transcript. Orbán has friendly ties with Xi, and it’s become a liability ahead of Hungary’s 2022 elections. As he was broadcasting from Hungary last week, Fox News host Tucker Carlson presented the Central

G-7 leaders agree on vaccines, China and taxing corporations

Leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy nations staked their claim Sunday to leading the world out of the coronavirus pandemic and crisis, pledging more than 1 billion coronavirus vaccine doses to poorer nations, vowing to help developing countries grow while fighting climate change and backing a minimum tax on multinational firms. At the group’s

Deadly car bombing in Pakistan targets hotel hosting Chinese ambassador

A car bomb blast late on Wednesday ripped through a luxury hotel’s parking area in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta, killing four people and wounding 11, officials said. China’s ambassador to Pakistan was staying at the hotel, but was not there when the bomb exploded, said Pakistan’s Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad. Provincial Home Minister Ziaullah