Xi jinping

Madman Theory: President Donald Trump speaking with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Monday, April 6, 2026, in Washington.

Politics

Trump Believes in “Madman Theory.” But He’s Actually a Madman

by Bill Scher April 8, 2026April 9, 2026

After six weeks of insane behavior, the ceasefire should not lead us to believe Trump has regained his faculties.

Strongman Goals: President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Oval Office of the White House, September 25, 2025.

Foreign Policy

Trump’s Authoritarian Envy: The Plight and Peril of a Lame Duck

by Markos Kounalakis February 6, 2026February 5, 2026

Is this an industrial policy? Not really as the president cuts ad hoc deals to promote manufacturing, and his own power. Here, the president speaks at the U.S. Steel Mon Valley Works-Irvin plant, Friday, May 30, 2025, in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania.

Economy

Industrial Policy, Trump Style

by James Hassett October 14, 2025October 11, 2025

Featured

One Hundred Years of Dictator Worship

by Rosa Brooks February 20, 2024April 1, 2024

Books

China’s Battle for Hearts and Minds

by David Hutt October 6, 2023October 5, 2023

Politics

Jimmy Carter’s Last Triumph Could Be to Soothe U.S.-China Relations

by Markos Kounalakis June 27, 2023June 26, 2023

Politics

China’s War for Hearts and Minds

by Joshua Kurlantzick March 3, 2023March 2, 2023

The Monopolized Economy

How to Rein In Elon Musk

by Luke Goldstein November 3, 2022November 4, 2022

Featured, Political Animal, Politics

Blow Up the Global Trading System

by Clyde Prestowitz March 24, 2021January 9, 2022

Featured

“A Christmas Carol” — Courtesy of the Chinese Navy

by Markos Kounalakis November 3, 2020January 11, 2022