Friends + Interlocutors,

Herewith an item from Bloomberg’s “Evening Briefing” today. After decades of Washington malfeasance, culminating with Donald Trump and the senseless war on Iran, world leaders are beginning to look to China as as alternative world leader. My emphasis in red.

This is not something the “Chicoms” conspired to bring about or were actually seeking. It just happened. Washington has shot itself in the foot far too many times for far too long. The result was self-inflicted. Similar to what short-sighted leaders of the British Empire did in a previous era.

Patrick

What You Need to Know Today

President Xi Jinping is wrapping up what’s been an unusually busy week of diplomacy in Beijing, showcasing the fervent interest of world leaders to develop ties with China while the US struggles to extricate itself from war.

Xi has held at least five high-profile meetings, despite the lack of any formal gathering in China’s capital this week. Excluding weeks the country hosted major summits, it’s the quickest tempo since July 2024.

“World leaders are heading to Beijing because they increasingly see China as a hedge against an unpredictable United States,” said Neil Thomas of the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis. “Many want Beijing to play a larger role as a defender of stability, diplomacy, and an open global economy.”

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