Foreign Affairs, Drinks, & Other Ill-Advised Adventures

What is the Octopus Doctrine, why does it matter and is this the end of endless proxy wars?

A quick history of the lateen sail, and global supply chains, brought to Europe from China via the Arabs.

Winston Churchill's Iron Curtain Speech just got a lot more relevant.

The rumors of a new Cultural Revolution are greatly exaggerated. Sewanee, Graduation and Common Sense - mostly.

The West is scrambling to figure out what Putin is thinking. Chances are, he's not.

Russia is seeking support in Central Asia as Kazakhstan seeks to keep a door open to the West.

Russia must change tactics in Ukraine. It doesn't have to tell the West what they are. Still, you can tell a lot from a lie.

Russia is disconnected from most of the world's markets - can they reconnect?

Inflation will only get worse - but it's the cheapest we are getting out of a European war in Ukraine.

It's war in Ukraine. It could have been stopped in 2014, and now he have to pay a higher price.

Putin's game of domination and the risk of Ukraine.

China's President Xi appears to be isolating China with in its block. Will it work? Does it ever?

Things are getting hairy with Ukraine and Taiwan, but let's not forget that Iran is about to go weapons-grade.

The West is guessing what Vladimir Putin is thinking. It should stop and focus on what he's selling.

Vladimir Putin things that Ukraine is Russia. Many Ukrainians think that as well. It is confusing...

Vladimir Putin's is gambling that the West is too distracted by China to stop him. We need to understand whose team he's on.

The Year Ahead: Prepare for a Bipolar world.

Just how pagan is Christmas - actually not very.

China's hypersonic gliders are clever, and problematic.

This year's elections have been a surprise in the US. In Nicaragua, less so.