Reminds me of the apocryphal Lenin quote: "The capitalists will sell us the rope with which we will hang them."

Valuable thread from @ryanl_hass

I would have had “The Wire,” not “Breaking Bad,” as No 1 but No 2 ain’t shabby. The real injustice of this list is that “The Bureau” is No 54! It should be in the top 5. One of the greatest series ever! The explanation isn’t exactly convincing: “This crackerjack thriller about the lives of secret agents deserves to be higher on this list, but it’s French, so c’est la vie.” Why downgrade a series for being French??? And by the way why was the delightful “Call My Agent,” another French series, left off the list altogether? Sacre bleu! nytimes.com/interactive/2026…

Great overview of China’s manufacturing juggernaut: “Only Britain at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution and the United States following World War II have so dominated the global production of goods. China now accounts for 32 percent of global manufacturing value added, twice its share in 2010, and more than the combined total of the next four biggest manufacturing powers — the United States, Germany, Japan and South Korea — according to the U.N. Industrial Development Organization.” washingtonpost.com/business/…

As I wrote a few days ago in @PostOpinions, Trump doesn’t seem to notice that the bromance is entirely one-sided; Xi didn’t greet Trump at the airport when Trump went to Beijing. Yet, as a token of his unrequited friendship, Trump gave China access to powerful AI chips, paused a $14 billion arms sales to Taiwan, and offered excuses for China providing satellite imagery that enables Iran to target U.S. bases. wapo.st/4rwZif1

"Trump’s most important transformation has been from China hawk to China dove. That change will be highlighted this week when President Xi Jinping of China becomes only the second foreign leader — after King Charles III — to receive the honor of a state dinner in Trump’s second term." "It’s hard to say why Trump has suddenly gone from attack dog to lapdog on China — and there is no guarantee he won’t shift back. Who knows why he does anything?" @MaxBoot @washingtonpost 1/2

.@MaxBoot in Washington Post: “The bromance is entirely one-sided; Xi said nothing about being Trump’s pal. Yet, as a token of his unrequited friendship, the Trump administration announced in May that it was pausing a $14 billion arms sales to Taiwan.” washingtonpost.com/opinions/…

Why bother with the rule of law when you can just kill alleged criminals instead? No evidence needed.

"Trump doesn’t seem to notice that the bromance is entirely one-sided; Xi said nothing about being Trump’s pal." This link will allow you to access this column by @maxboot for $2 — no subscription required: wapo.st/3V5UalY

As with Kim Jong Un, Trump doesn’t seem to notice that the bromance is entirely one-sided; Xi said nothing about being Trump’s pal. Yet, as a token of his unrequited friendship, Trump gave China access to Nvidia's 2nd most powerful AI chips and paused a $14 billion arms sales to Taiwan. Now he offers excuses for China (along with Russia) providing satellite imagery that enables Iran to target U.S. bases. wapo.st/4rwZif1

I'm sure some nice stock gains were made, Max! Trump gets what he wants, America gets screwed. Same model as with all of his casinos and other bankruptcies.

It’s hard to say why Trump has suddenly gone from attack dog to lap dog on China. Part of the explanation may be that Trump discovered, during last year’s trade war, the high cost of confronting China; like many bullies, he shies away from a fight if he fears getting hurt. wapo.st/4rwZif1

Trump gives Xi a pass on reports that China has provided satellite imagery that allowed Iran to target US bases. “They basically do what we do,” Trump said. “We spy on them too.” It’s true the US spies on China, but it isn’t helping to kill Chinese soldiers or blow up Chinese bases. wapo.st/4rwZif1

Blockbuster @washingtonpost reporting by @DavidNakamura and @mradamtaylor -- washingtonpost.com/politics/…

Who exactly are these snipers on his arch supposed to be shooting? Is he expecting enemy troops to march on Washington? Perhaps he is afraid the Canadians will seek, like the British in 1814, to burn the White House? 🤔

Over on Substack, I have thoughts on the Greenland crisis. Bottom line: It's good that the crisis is over (for now). It should never have begun in the first place. This shows the cost of having an out-of-control president who governs based on whim and ego and bluster without any reference to long-term national interest. bit.ly/3TEhUgA

A new Substack from me. bit.ly/3TEhUgA