What Really Matters with Walter Russell Mead Xi, ICE, Iran, and the Tech Right
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Jan 26, 2026 A deep dive into Xi Jinping's purge of top military leaders and what that could mean for China's decision-making and Taiwan. A tense federal standoff in Minneapolis highlights training, political fallout, and local responsibility. A grim look at Iran's protest death toll and U.S. options. An exploration of a growing alliance between tech elites and nationalist politics shaping trade, immigration, and industrial strategy.
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Purges Undermine Leadership Information Flow
- Xi's purge of top PLA leaders signals deeper internal instability in China's leadership.
- Walter Russell Mead warns purges create echo chambers that degrade decision-quality over time.
Purge Creates Short-Term Restraint On Taiwan
- A military purge makes an immediate large-scale invasion of Taiwan less likely due to disruption and uncertainty.
- Mead says Xi may still act if he judges U.S. weakness outweighs the risks despite the purge's short-term dampening effect.
Enforcement Zeal Plus Poor Training Is Dangerous
- The ICE operations in Minneapolis show policy zeal plus poor training produces dangerous outcomes.
- Mead argues both Minnesota authorities and federal agents share blame: dereliction locally and federal incompetence.
