Maritime Mayhem: The Urgency of Cyber Threats in the South China Sea

The South China Sea, a vital maritime hub that accounts for 24% of global maritime trade and facilitates about $7 trillion in global trade annually, is increasingly susceptible to a hidden but powerful threat: cyberattacks. As the maritime sector becomes increasingly reliant on digital technologies for navigation, port operations and logistics management, cyber threats pose […]

China’s Rule of Law

For westerners, “Rule of Law” is a principle of governance that assures the supremacy of the law over personal or political interests and agendas. The laws are intended to reflect the values at the heart of any society. The safeguarding of these values is supposed to ensure that democratic transitions, for example, are not manipulated […]

Xi’s New Year and World Order

In his New Year’s Eve speech, Chinese president Xi Jinping addressed two issues the non-Chinese world finds concerning—the rise of Chinese nationalism and the Chinese concept of a new world order. In line with his three global initiatives (development, security, civilization), President Xi connected the two issues and demonstrated the ways in which the “Rejuvenation […]

Everything that is not CPC – The United Front Work Department

The CPC is the heart of the People’s Republic of China. It is the center from which emanate order and leadership, the most influential organization in the country. While the great majority of China’s organizational and institutional existence is carried out within the CPC, the party considers it its responsibility to also organize and regulate […]

China’s Take on Syria – Initial Thoughts

Where is China in the midst of the fast-paced movement of events in and around Syria? The reshaping of the Syrian power landscape has contributed to the recent China rethink regarding its ambition to have a growing diplomatic role in the Middle East. Until four months ago, many in Beijing and across the Global South […]

China Is Recalculating Its Middle East Policy

Since the October 7th massacre in southern Israel and the outbreak of the war in Gaza, China’s leadership has conveyed outright support in word and deed for the Iran-led “Axis of Resistance.” The display of strategic vulnerability by Iran and its proxies since mid-August appears to have prompted Beijing to pause and reassess. Upon return […]

Democracy: To Be or Not To Be

To be a democracy or not to be a democracy. That is the question. According to China’s leadership—definitely be a democracy. If you find this confusing, just wait… it becomes even more so. Although in 2014, President Xi Jinping made it crystal clear that democracy is not for China, and that the US should stop […]

Israel Is Not an Outpost of the West

SIGNAL Group Advisory Board Member David P Goldman talks with Israeli journalist Caroline Glick about all matters under the geopolitical sun. Veteran Israeli journalist and author Caroline Glick interviewed Asia Times Deputy Editor David P Goldman on her popular podcast on August 30. The interview is available on YouTube. An abridged transcript follows here: Glick: Welcome to another […]

The Myth of China’s Rise and U.S. Decline in the Middle East.

Middle East geopolitical commentary often falls into the trap of sensationalist eulogies over the supposed demise of U.S. regional influence in face of China’s mounting heft and unstoppable sway. This narrative is frequently echoed in Chinese state speeches and media reports set against a backdrop of beautifully choreographed events and photo-ops. In the diplomatic equivalent […]