Eastern Winds: Xi Gains Influence Over Global Politics & Trump’s Power Wanes as They Prepare to Meet in China

The United States faces challenges in the Strait of Hormuz as the Russo-Ukrainian War persists. Xi Jinping’s leadership continues to assert authoritative control over Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the South China Sea, while potentially leveraging U.S. political dynamics for Chinese expansionism. This climate highlights current global power shifts.

Understanding Vertigo: Medical, Cinematic, and Socio-Cultural Perspectives

Vertigo is (1) dizziness characterized by spinning sensations and (2) the title of a 1958 film by Alfred Hitchcock. But, is it also a fair way to describe (3) the 2025 cultural zeitgeist?

Sat 26 Oct 24 Brief

Israel’s first open attack on Iran targets missile sites and apparently spares oil and nuclear ones (Jon Gambrell, Tia Goldenberg, and Adam Schreck, Associated Press)

Fearing China’s hypersonic weapons US Navy seeks to arm ships with Patriot missiles (Mike Stone and Jerry Doyle, Reuters)

How the democratic-leaning news media is unwittingly aiding Trump (Luba Kessova and Richard Addy, Fortune)