Hard Power

Trump in Beijing: Why even limited success is remarkable

Pomp and pageantry aside, the US-China summit focused on business and trade deliverables, with upbeat atmospherics masking deeper tensions. US academic Zhiqun Zhu explains why even limited progress is notable in a relationship defined by rivalry, mistrust and deep structural tensions.

Zhiqun Zhu

15 May 2026

[Video] George Yeo: America’s deep pain — and why China won’t colonise

George Yeo, in an interview with ThinkChina editor Chow Yian Ping, explores America’s deep social pain, China’s struggle with corruption rooted in Confucian ties, and why change is hard. He also weighs the risk of war in the Taiwan Strait and Singapore’s future in a fast-shifting world order. This is the first episode of ThinkChina Conversations, a series of in-depth interviews with experts on China.

Chow Yian Ping

27 Feb 2026

The Board of Peace: A pay-to-play world order?

Boardroom politics may replace global diplomacy with US President Trump’s new Board of Peace. In this architecture, peace is only a privilege for those who can pay for a seat at the chairman’s table. Commentator Imran Khalid shares his views.

Imran Khalid

11 Feb 2026

From Caracas to Cambodia: How far will Washington go?

The capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has sent shockwaves throughout the world, not least in terms of global rules and what is accepted behaviour. So what can Southeast Asia learn from the US’s recent actions in Venezuela? ISEAS researchers Hoang Thi Ha and Aries A Arugay ponder the question.

Hoang Thi Ha, Aries A Arugay

21 Jan 2026

Japanese expert: China won’t replicate US Maduro raid

Japanese professor Shin Kawashima notes that the US raid in Venezuela is no precedent for Taiwan, and Beijing is unlikely to replicate such military actions despite regional tensions.

Shin Kawashima

16 Jan 2026

Trump’s Maduro raid leaves Xi with no easy options

The capture of Venezuela’s president exposes Beijing’s intelligence failure and forces Xi Jinping to choose between confrontation, restraint or strategic retreat in the western hemisphere. RSIS senior fellow Drew Thompson examines US actions and China’s reading of the situation.

Drew Thompson

09 Jan 2026

Trump unbound: The US unravels the world order it built

US President Donald Trump has recently been making a lot of moves that go against the accepted rules of international relations. US commentator Ian Bremmer analyses the effects of Trump’s unreined actions.

Ian Bremmer

08 Jan 2026

History won’t wait — Trump is at the door

In the Year of the Horse, US President Donald Trump has charged in first to occupy Venezuela — although whether he’s mounted a noble steed or a stubborn donkey remains an open question. Hong Kong commentator Chip Tsao takes a satirical look at what Venezuela’s upheaval reveals about China, imperial ambition and the world ahead.

Chip Tsao

07 Jan 2026

Pax Americana is over — what comes next for Southeast Asia?

As US dominance fades and a sharper US–China bipolarity takes shape, Southeast Asia enters a more turbulent strategic landscape. How will the region adapt? Academic Ryan Hass offers his take.

Ryan Hass

11 Dec 2025

China’s assertiveness towards Tokyo, Washington and Taipei is not working

China’s recent retaliations, reminiscent of its “wolf warrior diplomacy” days, is likely to have more bark than bite. The US, Japan and Taiwan remain unfazed, says RSIS senior fellow Drew Thompson.

Drew Thompson

01 Dec 2025

Sichuan and Fujian: The two carriers that could reshape the Taiwan Strait

China’s new Type 076 Sichuan could reshape any Taiwan Strait conflict, pairing with the Fujian to form a potent two-carrier strike force as Beijing signals rising military confidence amid escalating East Asia tensions. Lianhe Zaobao’s China Desk explores the topic.

China Desk, Lianhe Zaobao

27 Nov 2025

China’s Fujian hits the water — next carrier already in the works

The Fujian launches the J‑35 stealth fighter via electromagnetic catapult, while satellite photos reveal China’s nuclear Type 004 carrier is already being built at Dalian. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan takes a look at how China is transforming the military strategic landscape of the western Pacific.

Yu Zeyuan

10 Nov 2025