Essays and Reviews

Trump Lost the Trade War to China. America Needs a New Strategy.

Trump Lost the Trade War to China. America Needs a New Strategy.

October 3, 2024
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/03/opinion/trump-trade-war-china.html
How Big Is CCP Inc.?

How Big Is CCP Inc.?

China’s sovereign funds are huge, powerful—and clumsy.

June 22, 2024
https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/06/22/how-big-is-ccp-inc/?tpcc=recirc_latest062921
A Grand Plan for a Much Poorer World

A Grand Plan for a Much Poorer World

Billionaire Mathias Döpfner’s plan to fight China and autocracy is a dead end.

October 28, 2023
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/10/28/dopfner-tradetrap-china-business/
Trump Trade War Mastermind Is Back With a Dangerous New Plan

Trump Trade War Mastermind Is Back With a Dangerous New Plan

Robert Lighthizer wants total decoupling from China—without thinking through the consequences.

July 16, 2023
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/07/16/trump-trade-war-robert-lighthizer-china-economic-policy/
‘Money Machine’ Is Missing the Juicy Details of Chinese Banking

‘Money Machine’ Is Missing the Juicy Details of Chinese Banking

Weijian Shan’s new book is notable mostly for what it leaves out, which says a lot about Chinese politics. I suss out the story.

March 11, 2023
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/03/11/money-machine-review-chinese-banking-xi-jinping/
China’s COVID-19 Failure Isn’t a Win for Democracy

China’s COVID-19 Failure Isn’t a Win for Democracy

The pandemic years strained every system of government.

January 8, 2023
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/01/08/china-covid-failure-democracy-autocracy/
Beijing’s Power Brokers Wouldn’t Surprise Robert Moses

Beijing’s Power Brokers Wouldn’t Surprise Robert Moses

An American classic offers fresh insights into China.

November 26, 2022
https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/11/26/powerbroker-caro-china-planning/
What Do Electric Cars Really Cost?

What Do Electric Cars Really Cost?

“Volt Rush” examines the price of a dirty green business—and China’s role.

September 4, 2022
https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/09/04/volt-rush-sanderson-review-electric-cars-ev-dirty-mining-resources-extraction-china-africa-congo-batteries-minerals-tesla-green/
Who Got China Wrong?

Who Got China Wrong?

Two books take very different approaches on the past and future of engagement.

April 24, 2022
https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/04/24/china-review-engagement-economy/
A City United by Tragedy, Divided by Its Kindness

A City United by Tragedy, Divided by Its Kindness

After a mass shooting in Binghamton, N.Y., a quieter but messy drama unfolded: how to divide donations among the families of the dead and survivors.

March 28, 2010
https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704588404575123522374730464
Auschwitz Repairs Stir Up Tough Preservation Debate

Auschwitz Repairs Stir Up Tough Preservation Debate

The fences ringing Auschwitz frame a dilemma: How best to memorialize one of history's darkest crimes?

August 14, 2002
https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1029272807968457555