Best of the Spectator

The Edition: Why Trump's ultimate target in this war is China – with Maurice Glasman

Mar 6, 2026
Maurice Glasman, Labour peer and Blue Labour founder, argues for restoring the Shah. Madeline Grant, parliamentary sketch writer, dissects UK politics, by-election fallout and cultural trends. Freddy Gray, deputy editor, maps Trump’s Iran moves onto a bigger strategic push aimed at China. They debate UK hesitancy, MAGA splits, the practicality of regime change and the online ‘looksmaxing’ trend.
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INSIGHT

Trump's Iran Moves As Part Of A China Strategy

  • Trump's Middle East strikes feed into a broader China strategy.
  • Geoffrey Cain argues weakening Iran and its partners cuts China's oil access and regional influence ahead of Trump's China visit.
INSIGHT

Deindustrialisation Fueled China's Rise

  • Maurice Glasman links deindustrialisation and neoliberal capitalism to China’s military-industrial rise.
  • He says offshoring, cheap labour and lost manufacturing enabled China’s current power, which tariffs aim to reverse.
INSIGHT

Starmer's Cautious Response Looks Legalistic

  • British response to US actions looked hesitant and legalistic under Keir Starmer.
  • William Moore and Freddy note Starmer gave cautious statements and legalistic language while bases in Cyprus were attacked.
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