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THE EPOCH TIMES
Xi Warned US Not to Fall Into ‘Thucydides Trap.’ What’s That Mean?
A statue of the ancient Greek historian Thucydides outside the Austrian parliament in Vienna. sianstock/Shutterstock
Victor Davis Hanson
5/20/2026|Updated: 5/20/2026
This is a lightly edited transcript of a May 18 segment of the Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words podcast.
Recently, at the U.S.-China summit in Beijing, Premier Xi [Jinping] mentioned that he hoped that both parties, the United States and China, could avoid the Thucydides Trap.
What did that mean? It refers to a book and an article by the well-known political scientist Graham Allison.
In it, he presented a paradigm of international relations. Briefly, it was this: If you have an established power, like ancient Sparta, and it gets worried that there is an ascending power, a rising new neighborhood bully or something, the older power, the established power, will attack it, and there will be a war.
...
READ MORE: https://www.theepochtimes.com/opinion/xi-warned-us-not-to-fall-into-thucydides-trap-whats-that-mean-6031262?ea_src=frontpage&ea_med=section-1
***
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Nguyễn Hoài Trang
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Bao che, dung dưỡng TỘI ÁC là ĐỒNG LÕA với TỘI ÁC
RedState
Rubio to Cuba's Communist Thugs: Stop Blaming America for the Misery You Created
By Ben Smith | 11:20 AM on May 20, 2026
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of RedState.com
AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein
The son of Cuban exiles now runs American foreign policy, and on Cuban Independence Day, Marco Rubio delivered a gut-punch to the regime that drove his family from the island. No hedging or doublespeak — just the truth about who is really starving the Cuban people.
...
READ MORE: https://redstate.com/ben-smith/2026/05/20/rubio-to-cubas-communist-thugs-stop-blaming-america-for-the-misery-you-created-n2202522
***
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Kính Chúc Sức Khỏe Quý Anh Chị.
conbenho
Tiểu Muội quantu
Nguyễn Hoài Trang
21052026
__________________________
Cộng sản Việt Nam là TỘI ÁC
Bao che, dung dưỡng TỘI ÁC là ĐỒNG LÕA với TỘI ÁC
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Voice of America went from exposing the failures of communism to glorifying its dictators
By Ted Lipien
Published December 25, 2021 12:00am ET
In less than 40 years, the taxpayer-funded Voice of America went from exposing the crimes and economic failures of communism to in some cases glorifying communists, including Fidel Castro and Che Guevara.
VOA is part of the federal government’s $800 million (average annual budget) U.S. Agency for Global Media.
I am an Eastern European refugee from communism. Judging from what one can see online in various languages, I’ve concluded that recent and current VOA and USAGM officials either do not know or have forgotten what life was like for tens of millions of people living under communism and in state-run socialist economies in the former Soviet bloc.
My observations are shared by many dissident journalists in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, and Ethiopia, as well as political refugees and immigrants from these countries living in the United States, who have been criticizing the management of the VOA programs for damaging the cause of human rights. That was absolutely not the case 40 years ago when I was in charge of the VOA Polish Service, broadcasting to Poland under the martial law imposed by pro-Soviet communists on Dec. 13, 1981.
Today, USAGM and VOA press releases are full of laudatory and often misleading claims from government bureaucrats. It is true that not all of today’s VOA language services are bad, and many outstanding journalists still work there. But the kind of criticism one hears now from citizens of captive nations about strategically important VOA programs would not have been ignored by any U.S. administration during the Cold War or by the commercial U.S. media.
After the VOA’s management was reformed under President Ronald Reagan, to the great discomfort of many former longtime executives and some central English newsroom reporters, VOA’s weekly audience in Poland increased fivefold in less than 10 years — to more than 50% of the adult population. In the 1980s, VOA was finally able to contribute significantly to the fall of communism in East-Central Europe, almost as much as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. In contrast, VOA’s recent broadcasting in Afghanistan ended in a disaster. VOA’s impact in Russia, China, and Iran is now minuscule. Independent experts question USAGM’s inflated and often meaningless audience claims.
The amnesia of recent and current VOA officials about history and their failure to provide leadership are particularly dangerous at a time when Russian President Vladimir Putin may be getting ready to invade Ukraine and uses Belarus in a hybrid war against the neighboring nations in the European Union.
Chinese, Cuban, Ethiopian, and Iranian government propagandists have also been given an advantage by VOA and USAGM management’s failures. During the Cold War, VOA did not abandon any journalists behind the Iron Curtain. The VOA/USAGM management left behind in Afghanistan about 500 Afghan employees and family members. Senior agency executives could not see what was coming and did not order a prompt evacuation.
There are not enough VOA and USAGM managers with good judgment informed by a solid grasp of history.
A few years ago, a top VOA official seemed to question whether disinformation outlets such as Russia’s RT should be made to register in the U.S. as foreign agents. “When the U.S. government compels RT to register as a foreign agent, then other governments consider requiring U.S. media to register as foreign agents and then…,” the VOA executive wrote in a 2017 Facebook post, which was later deleted. It happened at about the same time VOA’s management carelessly hired several former Russian state media employees.
Foreign propaganda had found its way into VOA programs at various times. The VOA chief news writer and editor in 1943 was American novelist Howard Fast, who was later a Communist Party activist and the recipient of the 1953 Stalin International Peace Prize.
Censorship in favor of Soviet Russia has also been part of VOA history. In the early 1950s, before President Harry Truman carried out reforms, VOA censored a Polish writer and artist, Jozef Czapski, who had been a witness of Stalin’s genocidal crimes. In the 1970s, VOA even censored Russian dissident writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.
Such censorship ended under Reagan but has returned in recent years. Under Obama administration appointees, VOA English programs lauded American communist winner of the Lenin Peace Prize Angela Davis as a fighter for human rights, without any attempt to provide balance with information about her pro-Soviet past. Solzhenitsyn had once spoken bitterly about Davis in describing the methods of Soviet propaganda and how figures such as her were used to justify oppression.
The VOA Russian Service used recently as an on-air personality a former Russian TV anchor who, before his employment with VOA, produced anti-U.S. propaganda films with antisemitic overtones. One of his older videos on YouTube promoted conspiracy theories spread in Russia and in the West by Putin’s state media. The film put the blame on the U.S. government, American capitalists, and “Jewish bankers” for exploiting the economies of other countries around the world.
In March 2019, top USAGM and VOA officials received an email with information about this provided by opposition journalists from Belarus. A Belorussian refugee media outlet had expressed a profound shock that a person with a Russian propaganda work record could be hired by the U.S. government-funded broadcaster to host VOA programs. But nothing happened for many months, during which this journalist continued to be employed by VOA. The VOA management has since hired a few other journalists who had previously worked for Putin’s state media and seem particularly proud of their work in Russia.
During the same time, under the watch of recent and current VOA and USAGM executives, employees and contractors produced news reports and graphics that glorified repressive communist leaders. They did not mention the crimes of Marxist dictators and the failures of socialist state economies.
That is a far cry from how the VOA responded to propaganda from the Soviet Union and other communist states in the 1980s.
In mid-December 2021, the VOA English news website ignored the 40th anniversary of the imposition of martial law in Poland by the pro-Soviet regime of General Wojciech Jaruzelski. The event could have provided a useful history lesson, given that Soviet threats at that time against the Polish Solidarity movement were very similar to today’s Russian threats against Ukraine.
There was something else VOA’s foreign and U.S. audiences could have learned from history. During martial law in Poland, we received thousands of letters from listeners with requests for humanitarian assistance. In one such letter, sent to the VOA in November 1982, a mother of three girls, ages 7, 11, and 12, asked if VOA could help her. She wanted to find an American family willing to send used clothing and shoes for her young children. All three girls signed their names. The letter came to us from central Poland.
The mother wrote that the helplessness of her situation had forced her to suppress her shame and to ask VOA for help. She wanted her girls to have something warm to wear going to school in the approaching winter months. “We already have frost,” she wrote. “I’m afraid that my children will not have anything to wear to go to school. They have outgrown what we had bought two years ago. I can’t count on any humanitarian aid; I had already tried. You have to have connections.” Women wrote the majority of letters sent from Poland to VOA during the Cold War with requests for humanitarian assistance.
Unfortunately, this letter did not reach VOA before Christmas. A U.S. Postal Service stamp on the envelope shows that it was received in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 27, 1982. We used to forward such letters to charitable organizations in the U.S. If any packages from America with aid had arrived at their home in Poland, it would have been long after Christmas.
In her letter to VOA, the Polish woman did not make any direct references to the political situation in her country, but she made it abundantly clear that the communist regime in power was responsible for many years of economic deprivation for her young family. The system that produced such economic misery and killed millions of people should not be promoted by VOA to the rest of the world at the expense of U.S. taxpayers and in violation of the VOA Charter.
...
READ MORE: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/2874102/voice-of-america-went-from-exposing-the-failures-of-communism-to-glorifying-its-dictators/?itm_source=parsely-api
------
THANK YOU.
***
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Kính Chúc Sức Khỏe Quý Anh Chị.
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Nguyễn Hoài Trang
21052026
__________________________
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Bao che, dung dưỡng TỘI ÁC là ĐỒNG LÕA với TỘI ÁC
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Poland offering US ‘firsthand experience’ to help transition Cuba from communism
By Timothy Nerozzi
Published May 20, 2026 5:00am ET | Updated May 20, 2026 8:04am ET
VIDEO
Warsaw, Poland — The United States wants nothing more than to transition Cuba away from its decades of failed communist economics, and Poland is reminding the White House that it knows a thing or two about the process.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, speaking with reporters at the ministry building in Warsaw on Tuesday, said his country is perfectly equipped to help transform centralized states into free markets — a task they accomplished themselves just a generation ago.
“Poland can leverage its firsthand experience from the 1989 transition and the Solidarity movement to advise Cuba through a peaceful, democratic transition and market reform,” Sikorski told the Washington Examiner.
...
READ MORE: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/world/4573980/poland-firsthand-experience-transition-cuba-communism/
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conbenho
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Nguyễn Hoài Trang
21052026
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Bao che, dung dưỡng TỘI ÁC là ĐỒNG LÕA với TỘI ÁC
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Trump says ‘we’re freeing up Cuba’ following Raul Castro indictment
By Christian Datoc
Published May 20, 2026 3:46pm ET
VIDEO
President Donald Trump told reporters Wednesday that the United States is “freeing up Cuba,” but indicated that he does not believe it will require a military intervention.
Earlier in the day, Attorney General Todd Blanche announced an indictment of former first secretary Raul Castro, the brother of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, in relation to the 1996 downing of two airplanes operated by Cuban exiles.
...
READ MORE: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/4577004/trump-freeing-up-cuba-raul-castro-indictment/
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Nguyễn Hoài Trang
21052026
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Bao che, dung dưỡng TỘI ÁC là ĐỒNG LÕA với TỘI ÁC
THE EPOCH TIMES
Musk Takes SpaceX Public in Massive IPO Filing
Elon Musk is taking SpaceX public, filing paperwork for an initial public offering that would put the company on the stock market.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is displayed at a SpaceX facility in Hawthorne, Calif., on April 2, 2026. Mario Tama/Getty Images
Tom Gantert
5/20/2026|Updated: 5/20/2026
Elon Musk is taking SpaceX public, filing paperwork for an initial public offering that would put one of the world’s most valuable private companies on the stock market.
The May 20 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission says SpaceX plans to trade under the ticker “SPCX” on Nasdaq while Musk is expected to retain control through special voting shares.
SpaceX reported $18.6 billion in revenue in 2025 but also acknowledged significant operating losses as it poured billions into artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.
Musk founded SpaceX in 2002. The company designs, manufactures, launches, and operates rockets, spacecraft, and satellite networks. ...
...
READ MORE: https://www.theepochtimes.com/business/musk-takes-spacex-public-in-massive-ipo-filing-6032368?ea_src=frontpage&ea_med=section-1
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conbenho
Tiểu Muội quantu
Nguyễn Hoài Trang
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__________________________
Cộng sản Việt Nam là TỘI ÁC
Bao che, dung dưỡng TỘI ÁC là ĐỒNG LÕA với TỘI ÁC
THE EPOCH TIMES
US Charges Former Cuban Leader Raúl Castro With Murder Over 1996 Killing of Americans
Castro was charged with the murder of three U.S. citizens and one green card holder in the 1996 Brothers to the Rescue incident.
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche (C) speaks during a news conference announcing the indictment of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, at the Freedom Tower in Miami on May 20, 2026. Chandan Khanna / AFP via Getty Images
Emel Akan
Senior Reporter
5/20/2026|Updated: 5/20/2026
Raúl Castro, the former Cuban leader, has been indicted on murder charges in the United States, court records unsealed on May 20 show. The move marks intensifying U.S. pressure on the communist regime as the island grapples with severe economic turmoil.
The charges stem from his alleged role in Cuba’s 1996 shooting down of two planes belonging to a humanitarian group called Brothers to the Rescue, in which three U.S. citizens and one lawful resident were killed.
The indictment, filed in federal court in Miami, charged Castro and five codefendants with one count of conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals, four counts of murder, and two counts of destruction of aircraft.
...
READ MORE: https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/us-charges-former-cuban-leader-raul-castro-over-1996-killing-of-americans-6031109?ea_src=frontpage&ea_med=section-1
***
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Kính Chúc Sức Khỏe Quý Anh Chị.
conbenho
Tiểu Muội quantu
Nguyễn Hoài Trang
21052026
__________________________
Cộng sản Việt Nam là TỘI ÁC
Bao che, dung dưỡng TỘI ÁC là ĐỒNG LÕA với TỘI ÁC
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Assassination culture dominating the left
Progressives have a moral imperative to root it out
FILE - Tyler Robinson, who is accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, appears during a hearing in Fourth District Court in Provo, Utah, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP, Pool, File) more >
COMMENTARY
By Editorial Board - The Washington Times - Wednesday, May 20, 2026
OPINION:
Two high-profile murder cases are moving forward on opposite sides of the country. In each, because of its reckless rhetoric, the left is an unindicted co-conspirator.
Luigi Mangione, who is charged with the brutal murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is awaiting trial in Manhattan. Tyler Robinson is being prosecuted in the brutal murder of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk in Provo, Utah.
In both cases, hearings are underway to determine which evidence may be admitted at trial.
...
READ MORE: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/may/20/editorial-assassination-culture-dominating-left/
***
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conbenho
Tiểu Muội quantu
Nguyễn Hoài Trang
21052026
__________________________
Cộng sản Việt Nam là TỘI ÁC
Bao che, dung dưỡng TỘI ÁC là ĐỒNG LÕA với TỘI ÁC
THE EPOCH TIMES
Australian, NZ Universities Produced 6,500 Research Papers With CCP Military-Linked Institutions
It also found the most prolific partnerships were with the Chinese Communist Party’s so-called ‘Seven Sons of National Defence.’
Senior members of the CCP military delegation wait before filing into the closing session of the National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China on March 12, 2026. Kevin Frayer/Getty Images
Rex Widerstrom&Daniel Y. Teng- Editor
5/20/2026|Updated: 5/20/2026
New analysis reveals about 6,500 joint research projects have been produced via partnerships between Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-linked institutions and Australian-New Zealand universities.
The research found 80 Australian organisations have worked with various CCP-linked institutions since 2020 to create 6,000 STEM publications.
While 10 New Zealand organisations have collaborated with CCP-linked groups to create 500 publications.
The report, From Innovation to Weaponisation: How China Exploits the Australian and New Zealand Open Scientific Systems, was compiled by Strider Technologies, a strategic intelligence firm.
...
READ MORE: https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/australian-nz-universities-produced-6500-research-papers-with-ccp-military-linked-institutions-6027735?ea_src=frontpage&ea_med=section-2
***
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Kính Chúc Sức Khỏe Quý Anh Chị.
conbenho
Tiểu Muội quantu
Nguyễn Hoài Trang
20052026
__________________________
Cộng sản Việt Nam là TỘI ÁC
Bao che, dung dưỡng TỘI ÁC là ĐỒNG LÕA với TỘI ÁC
NEWSMAX
CORRESPONDENT
Trump Endorsement Gives Paxton an Edge on Cornyn
VIDEO
By John Gizzi
Tuesday, 19 May 2026 09:21 PM EDT
Current | Bio | Archive
Texas Republican politics were practically turned upside down Tuesday morning as President Donald Trump endorsed state Attorney General Ken Paxton in the party's May 26 runoff for U.S. Senate.
Paxton was edged out 42% to 40% in the initial GOP primary by four-term Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, but since neither received a majority, they are facing each other in the runoff.
Several sources among Lone Star State Republicans believe that had Cornyn gained momentum and moved ahead in the polls, the president might have either given his blessing to the incumbent or held to earlier predictions that he would have remained neutral.
"And had he given Paxton an appointment, this race might have been over two weeks ago," said one veteran GOP activist who requested anonymity.
But with a University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs poll released May 1 showing Paxton leading Cornyn 48% to 45% among likely runoff voters, the contest was far from over.
Paxton is among the most controversial politicians in Texas. Two years ago, he survived an impeachment trial in the state Senate dealing primarily with his conduct in office. Last year, state Sen. Angela Paxton, his estranged wife, accused him of having multiple extramarital affairs and filed for divorce in July, alleging adultery.
None of this deterred Trump from announcing his support for the Texas attorney general.
"Ken Paxton has gone through a lot, in many cases, very unfairly, but he is a Fighter, and knows how to WIN," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. "Our Country needs Fighters, and also Loyalty to the Cause of Greatness."
In the same post, the president called Cornyn "a good man," though he added that, in his view, the senator "was not supportive [of Trump] when times were tough."
Based on results from contested primaries in Indiana, Kentucky, and Louisiana in which Trump has taken a role, Paxton is now the favorite to win the Republican nomination.
"One should never be surprised by something Donald Trump does, and I would not be surprised if Paxton wins the nomination now," Wayne Thorburn, former executive director of the Texas Republican Party and author of three books on Texas politics, told Newsmax. "Trump's domination of the Republican primary electorate is being proven every day."
...
READ MORE: https://www.newsmax.com/john-gizzi/donald-trump-ken-paxton-endorsement/2026/05/19/id/1256868/
***
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Kính Chúc Sức Khỏe Quý Anh Chị.
conbenho
Tiểu Muội quantu
Nguyễn Hoài Trang
20052026
__________________________
Cộng sản Việt Nam là TỘI ÁC
Bao che, dung dưỡng TỘI ÁC là ĐỒNG LÕA với TỘI ÁC
