Ali Wyne

Dear Joe, Over 20 years ago, as dean of the Kennedy School, you encouraged a recent high school graduate to explore his budding interest in political science and offered to mentor him. I will strive each day to pay forward the kindness that you showed me. Yours always, Ali

.@IgnatiusPost argues that U.S. cross-Strait policy “could include affirming to China that the U.S. opposes Taiwan’s independence—but also strengthening U.S. military power in Asia to discourage any Chinese effort to control Taiwan by force.” washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/…

Admiral McRaven quotes former Secretary of State Marshall: “Diplomacy is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength, of a confident nation ready to lead with wisdom, not just weapons.” washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/…

A crucial component of this second, technology-centric “shock” is psychological: many U.S. observers had hoped and/or assumed up until recently that China’s political system would prevent it from becoming an innovation leader. nytimes.com/2025/07/14/opi…

.@DanDePetris argues that China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are “less a strong, cohesive grouping bounded by ideology and long-term considerations and more a collection of bilateral relationships whose interests sometimes converge—until they don’t.” politico.com/news/magazine/…

As Minouche Shafik’s important piece demonstrates, a growing number of countries doubt that, and are unwilling to act as though, the United States is the “indispensable” catalyst for collective action. ft.com/content/7b884f…

Robert Keohane spoke with @dankurtzphelan about Joe Nye’s legacy. “His career, in government and in the academy, spanned epochs, and his body of work as a scholar of international relations remains unparalleled.” foreignaffairs.com/podcasts/josep…

I appreciate @ishaantharoor’s including some of my thoughts in his new piece. A key driver of U.S.-China relations is the extent to which the United States is undercutting its own principal sources of competitive advantage. washingtonpost.com/world/2025/07/…

It’s impossible to overstate the impact of Black Sabbath on the development of heavy metal. May you rock in peace, Ozzy Osbourne.🤘 youtube.com/watch?v=qRcYjJ…

President Trump to President Marcos: “I don’t mind if he gets along with China because we’re getting along with China very well....he has to do what’s right for his country.” Will be interesting to see how this message squares with those that Trump’s senior advisors conveyed.

An important excerpt from @suea_thornton and Emily Sparkman’s new @NATLCOMMITTEE report, “Conflict Prevention in the Taiwan Strait: Restraint, Discipline, and Dialogue” ncafp.org/resources/repo…

“Xi’s campaign will have ramifications for global energy markets, with billions of dollars of Chinese oil imports projected to vanish in coming years.” wsj.com/world/china/ch…

.@fravel argues that purges of senior Chinese military officers will likely “degrade the PLA’s ability to fight in the near to medium term,” but warns that “if Xi views military action against Taiwan as necessary, he will still order the PLA into battle.” foreignaffairs.com/china/chinas-m…

.@AnaSwanson and @trippmickle “When Mr. Trump raised tariffs on Chinese exports in April, some top Trump officials thought Beijing would quickly fold, given its recent economic weakness.” nytimes.com/2025/07/20/us/…

Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan: “Any student of history will know the most dangerous phase is the interregnum between one world order and another. Are we in that interregnum? Yes, we are.” politico.com/news/2025/07/1…

Thanks very much for sending me your new book, @amirhusain_tx. I look forward to reading and learning.

The phrase “the Trump administration” is something of a misnomer, especially on China policy, for it discounts the gap between the president’s thinking and that of some of his key advisors. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

.@stephenwertheim considers the outlook for strategic competition between the United States and China: “In the world after Trump, a cold warlike posture will be both less warranted and less feasible.” ft.com/content/b324ad…

Daleep Singh: “The world is on the cusp of entering a destructive cycle in which every foreign policy challenge triggers a sanction, a tariff, or an export control, fueling rounds of escalation with no clear off-ramps.” foreignaffairs.com/north-america/…

Bravo, @jasmineelgamal! I’m excited to listen and learn, friend. 👏

Dexter Filkins presents the results of a war game, held earlier this year, that centered on a Chinese blockade of Taiwan. newyorker.com/magazine/2025/…