🧵 Macron's resistance to a @NATO office in Japan is a storm in a teacup, but also an opportunity for the US to clarify its expectations of all its allies in any major war. One possible result of a Taiwan war is the fragmentation of NATO. Why is this?politico.eu/article/emmanu… France is technically correct. Articles 5 and 6 of the original treaty only cover "attacks on the territory of any of the Parties in Europe or North America, on the Algerian Depts of France", missing the Pacific island territories of both France & the US. nato.int/cps/en/natohq/…

Getting sort of irritated at pundits asking what our "endgame" is with China. I'd argue at the very least it's 1. our ability to survive as a significant power.
2. our ability to act as a pole for others.
3. our ability to defend a version of the current system. Beijing is so persuaded by its own materialist group think that the "inevitability of US decline" is linked directly to the "inevitability of PRC's rise". Over time, our continued survival and strength will sap that internal monologue that Xi et al have been expounding.

Thread: very pleased to have just co-authored this critical report on #DigitalChina w/ @ddorman808. Truly, the past 18 months of research have been eye-opening because I was able to work with someone of his caliber. We both think the work is significant: pacforum.org/publication/is… 1st, this is the most important strategy you've never heard of - Beijing's overall strategy for technology development - a digital grand strategy - that is deeply competitive, embedded in Marxist theory, and linked personally to the rise of Xi Jinping. He is its champion.

Thread: disturbing and intriguing investigation by @thesundaytimes showing how the PRC sought control of the #WHO after suffering humiliation after the 2002 SARS outbreak. thetimes.co.uk/article/china-… 2005 Beijing behind a group of countries that attempted to limit the authority of WHO director-general, which compel the director-general to consult an emergency committee — including a China representative — before he or she calls an international public health emergency.