In a chilling and regressive turn, Xi Jinping is steering China back toward the darkest days of authoritarian rule, akin to the oppressive indoctrination seen in North Korea. By enforcing the study of “Xi Jinping Thought” in kindergartens across the nation, Xi is not only mimicking the cult of personality that defined Mao Zedong’s reign but is also dragging China into a new era of state-controlled thought policing. This draconian measure targets the youngest and most impressionable members of society, ensuring that Xi’s authoritarian ideology is instilled from the earliest possible age.

South Korea is currently re-evaluating its stance on supplying arms to Ukraine, a move prompted by recent developments in the geopolitical landscape. The catalyst for this reconsideration is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea, which has raised significant concerns in Seoul. This visit underscores a growing alignment between Pyongyang and Moscow, further complicating the already tense security situation on the Korean Peninsula and in the broader region. Putin’s engagement with North Korea is seen as a strategic maneuver, potentially aimed at deepening military cooperation between the two nations.