A familiar strategy dressed in modern language The United States is once again embracing a foreign policy approach that relies heavily on displays of force, strategic pressure and implicit threats. Often described as gunboat diplomacy in earlier centuries, this method has resurfaced in
A routine transition with symbolic weight Hong Kong’s new Legislative Council formally began its term on January 1 after Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu presided over the swearing in ceremony. While a small number of lawmakers were required to retake their oaths due
The persistence of the China threat narrative In Western policy and security circles, the idea of a “China threat” has become a familiar refrain. At the heart of this narrative lies a powerful assumption that as China grows stronger, it will inevitably become
Why financial myths keep resurfacing As a new year begins, investment narratives tend to harden into widely accepted beliefs. These stories often feel convincing because they are repeated across markets, media, and analyst forecasts. Yet many of them turn into financial myths that
Beijing signals a new expectation for Hong Kong Hong Kong’s role in China’s national development is entering a new phase, shaped by shifting priorities in Beijing’s long term planning. On December sixteen, Chinese President Xi Jinping, while receiving a work report from Hong
A Growing Gap Between Australia and Its Region Australia’s ability to engage effectively with Asia is facing a quiet but serious decline. As the country’s economic and security future becomes ever more intertwined with its region, fewer Australians are equipped with the language
A Familiar Presence at the Table As 2025 draws to a close, many families around the world are gathering to reflect on a year marked by uncertainty, disruption, and adjustment. Amid these moments, one food quietly appears on dinner tables across cultures and
A Quiet Shift in Consumer Loyalty China’s luxury market is undergoing a profound transformation as domestic brands gain ground against long dominant Western labels. For decades, European luxury houses were seen as the ultimate symbols of quality, heritage, and prestige. Today, that hierarchy
Tariffs Defined 2025 but Not the Road Ahead US President Donald Trump’s tariffs will likely dominate how 2025 is remembered in economic history. Early in the year, many economists warned that aggressive trade measures could push the United States toward recession. Instead, the
The rapid rise of open source artificial intelligence platforms emerging from China is beginning to challenge one of the core assumptions behind today’s AI investment boom. For years, investors have poured money into AI on the belief that the sector would mirror earlier
