2024 Issue 21

Just after returning from a war coordination meeting with Xi Jinping in Beijing, Putin initiated nuclear drills aimed at Ukraine and NATO.  When the UK Defense Minister announced new evidence that the Chinese Communist Party was supplying lethal aid to Russia to assist Putin in his war effort, President Biden’s National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan immediately undercut the UK’s claims by saying that “we have not seen that to date.”

Meanwhile, the PRC launched a massive military exercise surrounding Taiwan two days after Taiwan’s new president gave a speech that nearly all objective observers saw as incredibly moderate and conciliatory towards the PRC.

Lastly, the Vatican appears set on abandoning loyal Catholics in the PRC and Hong Kong, so that Pope Francis can cut a deal with the Chinese Communist Party and establish direct relations.