FBI's Visit Down Under to Ramp up Counter-Influence Efforts Against Beijing: Analysts
'One enduring axiom of Chinese strategic thinking is that a politically divided nation is a weaker one,' said Carl Schuster, an instructor in the Department of History at Hawaii Pacific University, in an interview with The Epoch Times.
'Mao [Zedong, former leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)] noted many years ago that political opinion drove democratic nations' political will. So, modern China's 'Three Warfares' doctrine (public opinion, media and lawfare) is intended to create those divisions.
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The Hill
34 minutes ago
- The Hill
Trump faces Ghislaine Maxwell conundrum
President Trump is facing a Ghislaine Maxwell problem. Publicly releasing testimony from Maxwell, an associate of Jeffrey Epstein who was convicted in 2021 on sex trafficking charges, could help satisfy Trump supporters who have clamored for more transparency around the Epstein case. But further elevating Maxwell would keep the Epstein controversy front-and-center after Trump and top GOP leaders in the House have spent weeks trying to tamp down outrage among their own base. At the same time, Trump's comments about Maxwell have in recent days fueled allegations from Democrats that he has something to hide because of his past ties to Epstein. Trump's name reportedly appears in the Epstein files, though the president has repeatedly distanced himself from Epstein and has not been accused of wrongdoing. Trump has declined to rule out a pardon for Maxwell, saying only that he has the power to do it but hasn't thought about her case. The administration raised eyebrows by moving Maxwell to a lower security prison in Texas. And Trump has continually praised Deputy Attorney Todd Blanche — his former personal attorney — for sitting down with Maxwell for interviews. 'I didn't discuss it with him, but anything he talked about with her, or the fact that he did that, not unusual, number one, and most importantly is something that would be totally above board,' Trump told reporters of Blanche's conversations with Maxwell. Administration officials are weighing whether to publicly release some of Maxwell's testimony to Blanche. The furor over the Epstein case, especially among some of Trump's vocal supporters, had engulfed the White House in recent weeks and infuriated the president, who felt it was overshadowing better headlines. The outrage has died down, coinciding with lawmakers leaving for August recess. But Maxwell's situation threatens to reignite the controversy, depending on what Trump and the administration do. Offering sympathy or clemency for Maxwell would invite bipartisan scrutiny, sources said. And releasing more information could come with legal restrictions. 'There's no question they're trying to thread the needle,' one White House ally told The Hill. CNN and Fox News reported that top administration officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel and Blanche were set to join Vice President Vance at his residence on Wednesday night to discuss how to handle the ongoing Epstein saga, among other topics. Vance's office pushed back on the reporting, with a spokesperson asserting there was 'never a supposed meeting scheduled at the Vice President's residence to discuss Epstein Strategy.' Many Trump supporters, including some in Congress, have pushed for additional disclosures after the FBI and Justice Department last month stated Epstein did not have a 'client list' and that his 2019 death at his New York City jail cell was a suicide. Some prominent Trump allies have for years promoted conspiracy theories about Epstein's death and claims that a client list would reveal ties between Epstein and prominent Democrats. Epstein, accused in several cases of sex trafficking young girls, ran in high-powered circles with figures that included Trump, former President Clinton, Britain's Prince Andrew and a number of other celebrities and ultrawealthy people. House GOP leaders sent members home a day early for August recess amid a logjam created by a push among some members to release more Epstein-related files. With lawmakers on recess and other issues taking over the news cycle, Trump has gotten some respite from the backlash related to Epstein. But the administration's interactions with Maxwell, and Trump's own comments about her, have kept interest in the case simmering. Maxwell met with Blanche over two days in recent weeks to share information about the Epstein case. ABC News reported that Maxwell did not say anything during the interviews that would be harmful to Trump. In the wake of those interviews, Maxwell was transferred from a low-security prison in Florida to a minimum-security prison in Texas. Officials have not said why. 'I didn't know about it at all. No, I read about it just like you did. It's not a very uncommon thing,' Trump said when asked Tuesday if he'd approved of the transfer. The administration is now weighing whether to release audio or transcripts of the interview. Doing so would likely aid Trump in distancing himself from Epstein and satisfy some members of his base who would like to see more transparency. But it may also renew attention on the Epstein case as a whole, something Trump has attempted to squash. Maxwell, for her part, is asking for the Supreme Court to intervene in her case, and her attorney has said she is seeking 'relief' from her prison sentence. Sources cautioned that Trump, who famously in 2020 said he wished Maxwell well, must tread carefully in how he handles her case to avoid it creating a larger controversy. 'The president wants to move on. But they may come out with something slightly more transparent, a little more meat on the bone,' the White House ally said.
Newsweek
35 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Trump is Building American AI Dominance. Tariffs Threaten to Destroy It
President Donald Trump has positioned the United States to lead in the global AI race, championing a vision that promises to reshape our economy, national security, and technological future. Last month, the president declared "we're leading" in AI, and announced over $90 billion in related infrastructure and energy investments, outlining an AI Action Plan to ensure America holds on to that lead. Trump's leadership has signaled America's determination to outpace Chinese competitors, and sparked unprecedented private-sector investment. However, the scale of the president's transformative vision also presents formidable challenges, including complex global supply chains and potential semiconductor tariffs. While the United States has the initiative and the momentum on its side, we should avoid enacting policies that slow or jeopardize our progress. In his second term, Trump has demonstrated his ability to rally industry giants to pour billions of dollars in critical AI investment into the U.S. economy. Through the Stargate project, OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle have committed over half a trillion dollars to build data centers across the United States and create the infrastructure needed to power the next generation of AI. Following Trump's call to make the United States the "world capital" of AI, companies like Amazon, Google, Nvidia, and Meta announced significant investments of their own. President Trump garnered additional pledges of foreign investment and cooperation during his recent visit to the Middle East, underscoring the private sector's confidence in his AI action plan. This is all welcome news for the U.S. economy and America's leadership in the global tech race. Keeping America ahead of China in AI development is indispensable for our economic and national security. AI leadership is quickly becoming a prerequisite for economic competitiveness across industrial sectors. However, several hurdles still lie along the path to realizing this vision. The construction of AI data centers requires enormous networks of supporting infrastructure, including servers, components, cooling systems, power grids, and, perhaps most vitally, advanced semiconductors. WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 03: U.S. President Donald Trump, accompanied by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) CEO C.C. Wei (R), speaks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on March 3, 2025 in Washington,... WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 03: U.S. President Donald Trump, accompanied by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) CEO C.C. Wei (R), speaks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on March 3, 2025 in Washington, DC. MoreTrump's trade agenda, including potential tariffs on chips, aims to reassert America's manufacturing stake in the global supply chain. That is an admirable goal, but it also introduces complexities into the AI race, which is highly dependent on efficient access to the latest technologies. Calls to implement significant new tariffs—including on semiconductor imports—are likely to grow louder as the Commerce Department concludes its Section 232 semiconductor investigation and presents its findings to the president. The White House should resist the temptation to open this new front in the trade war. High semiconductor tariffs would have profound effects on America's ability to research, develop, and build the next generation of AI. They would almost certainly increase the cost and availability of many critical components and could prompt tech companies to delay projects or consider moving them abroad. This would be an avoidable setback for the historic investments Trump has secured for the country. If the administration does pursue tariffs on semiconductors, it would be sensible to allow for a transition period to enable onshoring of high-performance semiconductors and other critical components currently produced abroad. The road to American AI dominance will require coordination across global industries and governments. Tariffs add layers of difficulty to an already resource-intensive endeavor. With investments accelerating under Trump, now is not the time to hit the brakes on the AI economy with tariff measures that would undermine technological development here in America. Our economic policies must ensure the United States maintains its global AI leadership and limits the ability of foreign competitors to seize an advantage. Under President Trump's leadership, the United States is not just competing in the AI race; it's poised to win it. Private investments from industry leaders reflect a nation ready to seize its technological future. We need to align our domestic and international economic policies to accelerate U.S. AI leadership for generations to come. Robert C. O'Brien was the 27th United States National Security Advisor from 2019 to 2021. O'Brien is Chairman of American Global Strategies LLC which advises technology firms on geopolitical issues. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
‘My time in Sichuan shows harmony of multi-ethnic unity': Global Times
08/06/2025, Beijing, China // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // Curiosity about China is drawing a growing number of international travelers to visit the country. From walking on ancient stones atop the Great Wall to riding high-speed trains between glittering skylines, many say they've discovered a China they didn't expect to see. In our special series, 'Journey Through China,' the Global Times shares the impressions of international travelers who have recently spent time in China. Their firsthand accounts - ranging from casual observations to thoughtful reflections - shed light on three key aspects of today's China: infrastructure, modernization and traditional culture. In the third article of the series, Global Times (GT) reporter Ma Ruiqian talked to Paul Zilungisele Tembe (Tembe), director at the SELE Encounters Cross-Civilization Communication Strategies in South Africa and recipient of the 18th Special Book Award of China. He recently participated in a cultural tour to Sichuan Province and shared his perspective on China. GT: You mentioned that the experience of harmonious living among the multi-ethnic residents of Sichuan, a convergence of diversities toward a united and unique Chinese culture have left an indelible mark in your understanding of Chinese culture. How is this cultural inclusiveness embodied in the call of China-proposed Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) for respecting the diversity of world civilizations? Tembe: The GCI is rooted in the essence of multi-ethnicity. It starts from local diversity - ethnic, cultural - and expands to national, regional and eventually global dimensions. My time in Sichuan gave me a vivid impression of what unity within diversity can look like. Coming from South Africa - a country with 12 official languages and a complex multi-ethnic society - I saw parallels. We gained our democracy in 1994, and we are still working through the process of building a unified national identity. My experience in Sichuan gave me a glimpse of what South Africa could aspire to in the long term. All the units are perfect and harmonious. I truly wish that one day Sichuan and a province in South Africa could become sister provinces. We could learn a lot from each other, especially given our shared experiences with multi-ethnic societies. GT: During your visit to Siguniang Mountains and the Wolong National Nature Reserve, you've observed a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. What is your view of China's approach to environmental protection and green development? Tembe: President Xi Jinping put forward the idea of 'Beautiful China,' meaning care for the environment. What I took away from my time in Sichuan - beyond the harmony of multi-ethnic unity - was how human development is being balanced with the protection of nature. What touched me even more deeply was my visit to the Wolong National Nature Reserve. It showed that China is able to pursue modernization without sacrificing its traditions or its environment. In addition, I visited the Siguniang Mountains and saw many kinds of precious stones in the museum. Although the region is rich in natural resources, mining is prohibited in order to protect the ecosystem. These are practical models that can be applied to the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Although climate agreements are often signed, implementation remains a challenge. What I appreciate about China is that its environmental efforts are scientific and systematic. These models can be transferred to other countries and still function effectively. I especially hope to see more cooperation within the Global South. Right now, we are a bit behind in terms of climate finance and environmental planning. But if countries in the Global South work together - through South-South cooperation or other multilateral platforms - we could adopt the Chinese model and create a better environmental trajectory. GT: Although China and Africa differ in terms of geography, culture, history and social structures, they share common values such as peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom. As a long-time advocate for China-Africa cultural exchanges, how did your travels and experiences in China lead you to recognize and resonate with these shared values? Tembe: When we talk about values, I believe we should take a step back and look at deeper philosophical roots. For example, if we consider some core tenets of Confucianism, we find values that are deeply relevant both in China and Africa. Africa stands for peace, values harmony, and is committed to hard work. Africa wants tangible and concrete results. It seeks partnerships based on equality and mutual respect. If we look at China's proposals for cooperation with Africa, especially starting from President Xi's 2013 visit to Tanzania, the four-point proposal - sincerity, real results, amity and good faith - aligns closely with African expectations of partnership. These are not just diplomatic phrases; they reflect deeper cultural values that we can trace both in Chinese civilization and in African traditions. GT: There are still some narratives in international discourse that promote the 'China threat' rhetoric. Based on your years of living and studying in China - especially your understanding of its peace-oriented cultural traditions - how would you respond to such claims? Tembe: I will give you both perspectives: The Western one, based on projection and fear; and the Chinese one, based on unity and peaceful development. First, there's a tendency that if someone has done bad things to others, they begin to judge others through that same lens. That's what we see with how the West views China. They fear that China's rise will mirror their own rise during the 15th and 16th centuries. Let's recall - the end of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) saw China's doors to the outside world shut. Meanwhile, the West was expanding, taking advantage of China's absence from the high seas. That period marked the beginning of Western colonialism. So now, they look at China and assume China will behave the way they did. But that's not about China; that's about them. They project their own past - colonization and domination - onto China, but they also suffer from historical amnesia. China has always had one consistent focus: unity and development. China has no interest in controlling others. China seeks friendships abroad to create a stable external environment that allows it to survive and thrive in the long run. China has experienced many historical upheavals. So its greatest concern - in development, finance and foreign policy - is preserving a unified China. I would say, as someone who studies and understands China, the West is worrying for nothing. China is not going to become the kind of global threat they imagine. But there's one thing: Nature does not allow a vacuum. In English, we say 'when the cat's away, the mice will play.' In geopolitics, the same principle applies. China needs to have a strong presence globally. But a strong global presence does not mean colonialism or the control of other countries. These things are not the same. Source: Global Times: Company: Global Times Contact Person: Anna Li Email: [email protected] Website: City: Beijing
