The Intelligence from The Economist General ejection: China’s military purge
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Jan 27, 2026 
Shira Aviona, a business and tech reporter at The Economist, explains Strava’s surge, social features and IPO plans. Sarah Larnuk, deputy editor reporting from Kyiv, recounts life under winter attacks, power and water cuts, and community coping. They also probe a startling shake-up in China’s military leadership and what it means for Beijing’s stability.
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Rumours Amplify The Political Shock
- Wild allegations (e.g., leaking nuclear secrets) are circulating but lack independent confirmation.
- The frenzy of speculation shows how impactful these announcements are domestically and abroad.
Succession Doubts Threaten Readiness
- Xi faces two problems: finding replacements untainted by association, and preserving operational readiness.
- Promoting less-experienced officers risks weaker advice and degraded combat capability.
Political Optics Ahead Of 2027
- The purge hurts Xi's carefully cultivated image of stability ahead of the 2027 party meeting and military deadline.
- Restoring order quickly will be central to his preparations for another term.