Isaac Kardon
@ibkardon.bsky.social
Study China maritime strategy & int’l security policy
Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Adjunct Professor at Johns Hopkins SAIS
Book: China’s Law of the Sea yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300256475/chinas-law-of-the-sea/
Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Adjunct Professor at Johns Hopkins SAIS
Book: China’s Law of the Sea yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300256475/chinas-law-of-the-sea/
Reposted by Isaac Kardon
For more from Sheena, @ibkardon.bsky.social, and Cameron Waltz on how China is training police forces across the world, see their latest Carnegie paper: carnegieendowment.org/research/202...
China’s Foreign Police Training: A Global Footprint
New data reveal how China’s foreign police training programs have become an integral part of Beijing’s strategy to remake global security.
carnegieendowment.org
November 13, 2025 at 4:22 PM
For more from Sheena, @ibkardon.bsky.social, and Cameron Waltz on how China is training police forces across the world, see their latest Carnegie paper: carnegieendowment.org/research/202...
Reposted by Isaac Kardon
🌏 Why are some countries deepening security ties with both the U.S. and China?
#PIPFellows @sheenagreitens.bsky.social, @ibkardon.bsky.social, & Philip Saunders discuss “security hybridization” and what it means for the U.S.-China relationship.
Watch: bit.ly/41LjAG5
#PIPFellows @sheenagreitens.bsky.social, @ibkardon.bsky.social, & Philip Saunders discuss “security hybridization” and what it means for the U.S.-China relationship.
Watch: bit.ly/41LjAG5
Security Without Exclusivity – Why Countries Choose to Cooperate Simultaneously with Both the U.S. and China
Sheena Greitens and Isaac Kardon join Philip Saunders for a discussion on how third countries are simultaneously deepening security cooperation with China and the U.S. instead of choosing between them...
bit.ly
September 8, 2025 at 6:35 PM
🌏 Why are some countries deepening security ties with both the U.S. and China?
#PIPFellows @sheenagreitens.bsky.social, @ibkardon.bsky.social, & Philip Saunders discuss “security hybridization” and what it means for the U.S.-China relationship.
Watch: bit.ly/41LjAG5
#PIPFellows @sheenagreitens.bsky.social, @ibkardon.bsky.social, & Philip Saunders discuss “security hybridization” and what it means for the U.S.-China relationship.
Watch: bit.ly/41LjAG5
Reposted by Isaac Kardon
“Analysts and policymakers are used to thinking about China’s military as a global security actor,” says @sheenagreitens.bsky.social. But its internal security apparatus also plays a significant role.
Sheena, @ibkardon.bsky.social, and Cameron Waltz explain: youtu.be/X0Vtai8xccE?...
Sheena, @ibkardon.bsky.social, and Cameron Waltz explain: youtu.be/X0Vtai8xccE?...
Inside China’s Global Security Playbook
YouTube video by Carnegie Explains
youtu.be
August 13, 2025 at 3:46 PM
“Analysts and policymakers are used to thinking about China’s military as a global security actor,” says @sheenagreitens.bsky.social. But its internal security apparatus also plays a significant role.
Sheena, @ibkardon.bsky.social, and Cameron Waltz explain: youtu.be/X0Vtai8xccE?...
Sheena, @ibkardon.bsky.social, and Cameron Waltz explain: youtu.be/X0Vtai8xccE?...
Reposted by Isaac Kardon
Delighted to share a new report that's been over a year in the making, with @carnegieendowment.org 's @ibkardon.bsky.social & Cameron Waltz, on China's internal security outreach under GSI:
carnegieendowment.org/research/202...
carnegieendowment.org/research/202...
A New World Cop on the Beat? China’s Internal Security Outreach Under the Global Security Initiative
Global outreach by China’s internal security agencies is expanding. This nonmilitary security diplomacy plays a crucial yet overlooked role in Chinese foreign security policy.
carnegieendowment.org
August 6, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Delighted to share a new report that's been over a year in the making, with @carnegieendowment.org 's @ibkardon.bsky.social & Cameron Waltz, on China's internal security outreach under GSI:
carnegieendowment.org/research/202...
carnegieendowment.org/research/202...
Reposted by Isaac Kardon
China’s internal security agencies are using global engagement to legitimize its national security vision via non-military security cooperation.
@ibkardon.bsky.social, @sheenagreitens.bsky.social, & Cameron Walz analyze China’s foreign security policy: carnegieendowment.org/research/202...
@ibkardon.bsky.social, @sheenagreitens.bsky.social, & Cameron Walz analyze China’s foreign security policy: carnegieendowment.org/research/202...
A New World Cop on the Beat? China’s Internal Security Outreach Under the Global Security Initiative
Global outreach by China’s internal security agencies is expanding. This nonmilitary security diplomacy plays a crucial yet overlooked role in Chinese foreign security policy.
carnegieendowment.org
August 6, 2025 at 3:42 PM
China’s internal security agencies are using global engagement to legitimize its national security vision via non-military security cooperation.
@ibkardon.bsky.social, @sheenagreitens.bsky.social, & Cameron Walz analyze China’s foreign security policy: carnegieendowment.org/research/202...
@ibkardon.bsky.social, @sheenagreitens.bsky.social, & Cameron Walz analyze China’s foreign security policy: carnegieendowment.org/research/202...
Reposted by Isaac Kardon
The Arctic is emerging as a new arena of geopolitical competition, but few policymakers understand its strategic importance to Russia and China. @alexgabuev.bsky.social joins @ibkardon.bsky.social on the season finale of #TWU.
🎙️Listen now: the-world-unpacked.simplecast.com/episodes/tru...
🎙️Listen now: the-world-unpacked.simplecast.com/episodes/tru...
Trump’s Greenland Fixation and the China-Russia Strategic Opportunity in the Arctic | The World Unpacked
In this episode of The World Unpacked, Isaac Kardon speaks with Alexander (Sasha) Gabuev about growing Russia–China cooperation in the Arctic. They explore the region’s rising strategic importance, it...
the-world-unpacked.simplecast.com
August 6, 2025 at 7:59 PM
The Arctic is emerging as a new arena of geopolitical competition, but few policymakers understand its strategic importance to Russia and China. @alexgabuev.bsky.social joins @ibkardon.bsky.social on the season finale of #TWU.
🎙️Listen now: the-world-unpacked.simplecast.com/episodes/tru...
🎙️Listen now: the-world-unpacked.simplecast.com/episodes/tru...
Reposted by Isaac Kardon
At Blue Blaze, our Scouted series discusses exciting new work in IR and foreign policy.
Tune in Wednesday for our first Scouted podcast—in which I host @sheenagreitens.bsky.social & @ibkardon.bsky.social discussing their work on China as an internal security provider
Tune in Wednesday for our first Scouted podcast—in which I host @sheenagreitens.bsky.social & @ibkardon.bsky.social discussing their work on China as an internal security provider
August 4, 2025 at 8:08 PM
At Blue Blaze, our Scouted series discusses exciting new work in IR and foreign policy.
Tune in Wednesday for our first Scouted podcast—in which I host @sheenagreitens.bsky.social & @ibkardon.bsky.social discussing their work on China as an internal security provider
Tune in Wednesday for our first Scouted podcast—in which I host @sheenagreitens.bsky.social & @ibkardon.bsky.social discussing their work on China as an internal security provider
Reposted by Isaac Kardon
How should we understand China’s system of party-state capitalism, and what sets it apart from other countries with strong state intervention in the economy?
Meg Rithmire discusses on #TheWorldUnpacked with @ibkardon.bsky.social: youtube.com/shorts/Qly5_...
Meg Rithmire discusses on #TheWorldUnpacked with @ibkardon.bsky.social: youtube.com/shorts/Qly5_...
What Makes China's Party-State Capitalism Different?
YouTube video by Carnegie Endowment
youtube.com
July 17, 2025 at 8:09 PM
How should we understand China’s system of party-state capitalism, and what sets it apart from other countries with strong state intervention in the economy?
Meg Rithmire discusses on #TheWorldUnpacked with @ibkardon.bsky.social: youtube.com/shorts/Qly5_...
Meg Rithmire discusses on #TheWorldUnpacked with @ibkardon.bsky.social: youtube.com/shorts/Qly5_...
Reposted by Isaac Kardon
Subsea cables carry 95% of the world’s data but are largely invisible in global policy debates. @ibkardon.bsky.social, Jane Munga, and @sophiabesch.bsky.social discuss the geopolitics, economics, and risks surrounding undersea data infrastructure on #TheWorldUnpacked: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJIq...
The New Geopolitics of Subsea Cables
YouTube video by Carnegie Endowment
www.youtube.com
July 15, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Subsea cables carry 95% of the world’s data but are largely invisible in global policy debates. @ibkardon.bsky.social, Jane Munga, and @sophiabesch.bsky.social discuss the geopolitics, economics, and risks surrounding undersea data infrastructure on #TheWorldUnpacked: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJIq...
Reposted by Isaac Kardon
What are subsea data cables, and why are they important to European security? @sophiabesch.bsky.social explains on the latest #TheWorldUnpacked, with Jane Munga and @ibkardon.bsky.social: youtube.com/shorts/twSI9...
Subsea Cables and European Security
YouTube video by Carnegie Endowment
youtube.com
July 15, 2025 at 7:16 PM
What are subsea data cables, and why are they important to European security? @sophiabesch.bsky.social explains on the latest #TheWorldUnpacked, with Jane Munga and @ibkardon.bsky.social: youtube.com/shorts/twSI9...
Reposted by Isaac Kardon
Why are subsea data cables so critical for Africa's socio-economic future? Jane Munga discusses on the latest #TheWorldUnpacked, with @ibkardon.bsky.social and @sophiabesch.bsky.social: youtube.com/shorts/oArgQ...
Subsea Cables and Africa's Future
YouTube video by Carnegie Endowment
youtube.com
July 16, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Why are subsea data cables so critical for Africa's socio-economic future? Jane Munga discusses on the latest #TheWorldUnpacked, with @ibkardon.bsky.social and @sophiabesch.bsky.social: youtube.com/shorts/oArgQ...
Reposted by Isaac Kardon
How does capitalism function in China, a party-state that tries to maintain “rule by market” without ceding too much control to private capital?
@ibkardon.bsky.social discusses with Meg Rithmire on #TheWorldUnpacked: youtu.be/BMb3S8Jin_A?...
@ibkardon.bsky.social discusses with Meg Rithmire on #TheWorldUnpacked: youtu.be/BMb3S8Jin_A?...
July 17, 2025 at 1:29 PM
How does capitalism function in China, a party-state that tries to maintain “rule by market” without ceding too much control to private capital?
@ibkardon.bsky.social discusses with Meg Rithmire on #TheWorldUnpacked: youtu.be/BMb3S8Jin_A?...
@ibkardon.bsky.social discusses with Meg Rithmire on #TheWorldUnpacked: youtu.be/BMb3S8Jin_A?...
❤️💙♥️
Now available in video: my chat with @ibkardon.bsky.social about my new book. (And definitely the first podcast I’ve done on nukes that ends in a hug!) www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjOp...
Why We All Need to Care About Nukes Again
YouTube video by Carnegie Endowment
www.youtube.com
June 13, 2025 at 3:57 AM
❤️💙♥️
Reposted by Isaac Kardon
Now available in video: my chat with @ibkardon.bsky.social about my new book. (And definitely the first podcast I’ve done on nukes that ends in a hug!) www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjOp...
Why We All Need to Care About Nukes Again
YouTube video by Carnegie Endowment
www.youtube.com
June 11, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Now available in video: my chat with @ibkardon.bsky.social about my new book. (And definitely the first podcast I’ve done on nukes that ends in a hug!) www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjOp...
Reposted by Isaac Kardon
“The Life of the Party: Past and Present Constraints on the Future of the Chinese Communist Party"
Yvonne Chiu, @ibkardon.bsky.social, & Jason M. Kelly’s co-edited publication contains essays from experts on persistent patterns and new developments in Chinese politics since the CCP’s founding.
Yvonne Chiu, @ibkardon.bsky.social, & Jason M. Kelly’s co-edited publication contains essays from experts on persistent patterns and new developments in Chinese politics since the CCP’s founding.
June 10, 2025 at 4:17 PM
“The Life of the Party: Past and Present Constraints on the Future of the Chinese Communist Party"
Yvonne Chiu, @ibkardon.bsky.social, & Jason M. Kelly’s co-edited publication contains essays from experts on persistent patterns and new developments in Chinese politics since the CCP’s founding.
Yvonne Chiu, @ibkardon.bsky.social, & Jason M. Kelly’s co-edited publication contains essays from experts on persistent patterns and new developments in Chinese politics since the CCP’s founding.
Reposted by Isaac Kardon
Out now: @ibkardon.bsky.social sits down with @nktpnd.bsky.social to explore today’s new nuclear age—and what it will take to manage the growing risks of confrontation and escalation.
Listen to #TheWorldUnpacked here: the-world-unpacked.simplecast.com/episodes/why...
Listen to #TheWorldUnpacked here: the-world-unpacked.simplecast.com/episodes/why...
Why We All Need to Care About Nukes Again | The World Unpacked
Isaac Kardon sits down with Ankit Panda to explore today’s new nuclear age—and what it will take to manage the growing risks of confrontation and escalation.
the-world-unpacked.simplecast.com
June 9, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Out now: @ibkardon.bsky.social sits down with @nktpnd.bsky.social to explore today’s new nuclear age—and what it will take to manage the growing risks of confrontation and escalation.
Listen to #TheWorldUnpacked here: the-world-unpacked.simplecast.com/episodes/why...
Listen to #TheWorldUnpacked here: the-world-unpacked.simplecast.com/episodes/why...
Reposted by Isaac Kardon
On this 6/4, sharing a new piece out at Irregular Warfare Initiative with @ibkardon.bsky.social on "Does China's Growing Security Outreach Matter?" (Spoiler: Yes.)
Grateful to @atwellkyle.bsky.social & the entire IWI team for the chance to share our analysis:
irregularwarfare.org/articles/doe...
Grateful to @atwellkyle.bsky.social & the entire IWI team for the chance to share our analysis:
irregularwarfare.org/articles/doe...
Does China’s Growing Security Outreach Matter? Tracing Implications for Irregular Warfare and U.S. Security Cooperation
More countries are turning to both the U.S. and China for different types of security support. Learn what “security hybridization” means and why it matters.
irregularwarfare.org
June 4, 2025 at 7:21 PM
On this 6/4, sharing a new piece out at Irregular Warfare Initiative with @ibkardon.bsky.social on "Does China's Growing Security Outreach Matter?" (Spoiler: Yes.)
Grateful to @atwellkyle.bsky.social & the entire IWI team for the chance to share our analysis:
irregularwarfare.org/articles/doe...
Grateful to @atwellkyle.bsky.social & the entire IWI team for the chance to share our analysis:
irregularwarfare.org/articles/doe...
Reposted by Isaac Kardon
SecDef Hegseth's Shangri-La Dialogue speech repeated conventional wisdom that's already eroded. No longer a functional division of getting security from US, prosperity from China. China's emerged as a global security provider, as @ibkardon.bsky.social and I show in @intsecurity.bsky.social:
May 31, 2025 at 12:23 PM
SecDef Hegseth's Shangri-La Dialogue speech repeated conventional wisdom that's already eroded. No longer a functional division of getting security from US, prosperity from China. China's emerged as a global security provider, as @ibkardon.bsky.social and I show in @intsecurity.bsky.social:
Reposted by Isaac Kardon
President Trump’s desire to “get” Greenland isn’t keeping the U.S. secure. By working with – not against – its allies, Washington can counter Russia and China in the Arctic.
@ibkardon.bsky.social and @alexgabuev.bsky.social explain for @foreignpolicy.com: foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/26/t...
@ibkardon.bsky.social and @alexgabuev.bsky.social explain for @foreignpolicy.com: foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/26/t...
Trump’s Greenland Obsession Will Not Secure America
Countering Russia and China in the Arctic requires leveraging alliances, not fracturing them.
foreignpolicy.com
May 27, 2025 at 7:43 PM
President Trump’s desire to “get” Greenland isn’t keeping the U.S. secure. By working with – not against – its allies, Washington can counter Russia and China in the Arctic.
@ibkardon.bsky.social and @alexgabuev.bsky.social explain for @foreignpolicy.com: foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/26/t...
@ibkardon.bsky.social and @alexgabuev.bsky.social explain for @foreignpolicy.com: foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/26/t...
Reposted by Isaac Kardon
Appreciate the extensive quotations and use of my data in this excellent article, which puts the Panama Canal ports in their proper global context. context.
We are still waiting for the other shoe to drop in this maritime mega-deal…watch this space.
We are still waiting for the other shoe to drop in this maritime mega-deal…watch this space.
How far could Xi Jinping go to resist the Panama Canal port deal? For this week's Economist, I parse the latest signs of Chinese displeasure at BlackRock's planned purchase of 2 Panama ports and 41 others from Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison www.economist.com/china/2025/0...
March 21, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Appreciate the extensive quotations and use of my data in this excellent article, which puts the Panama Canal ports in their proper global context. context.
We are still waiting for the other shoe to drop in this maritime mega-deal…watch this space.
We are still waiting for the other shoe to drop in this maritime mega-deal…watch this space.
Reposted by Isaac Kardon
President Trump’s efforts to take the Panama Canal may now be in limbo thanks to a Chinese antitrust investigation.
Carnegie’s @ibkardon.bsky.social explained for @nytimes.com . Read the full article here: buff.ly/FkEMSR2
Carnegie’s @ibkardon.bsky.social explained for @nytimes.com . Read the full article here: buff.ly/FkEMSR2
March 31, 2025 at 8:55 PM
President Trump’s efforts to take the Panama Canal may now be in limbo thanks to a Chinese antitrust investigation.
Carnegie’s @ibkardon.bsky.social explained for @nytimes.com . Read the full article here: buff.ly/FkEMSR2
Carnegie’s @ibkardon.bsky.social explained for @nytimes.com . Read the full article here: buff.ly/FkEMSR2
Appreciate the extensive quotations and use of my data in this excellent article, which puts the Panama Canal ports in their proper global context. context.
We are still waiting for the other shoe to drop in this maritime mega-deal…watch this space.
We are still waiting for the other shoe to drop in this maritime mega-deal…watch this space.
How far could Xi Jinping go to resist the Panama Canal port deal? For this week's Economist, I parse the latest signs of Chinese displeasure at BlackRock's planned purchase of 2 Panama ports and 41 others from Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison www.economist.com/china/2025/0...
March 21, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Appreciate the extensive quotations and use of my data in this excellent article, which puts the Panama Canal ports in their proper global context. context.
We are still waiting for the other shoe to drop in this maritime mega-deal…watch this space.
We are still waiting for the other shoe to drop in this maritime mega-deal…watch this space.
Reposted by Isaac Kardon
CK Hutchison is accused of "disregarding national interests and national justice and betraying and selling out all Chinese people" over its sale of Panama Canal ports to US. firm BlackRock in a state media commentary posted by China's Hong Kong and Macao office.
www.hmo.gov.cn/sgazx/gayw/2...
www.hmo.gov.cn/sgazx/gayw/2...
港澳办
www.hmo.gov.cn
March 14, 2025 at 2:16 AM
CK Hutchison is accused of "disregarding national interests and national justice and betraying and selling out all Chinese people" over its sale of Panama Canal ports to US. firm BlackRock in a state media commentary posted by China's Hong Kong and Macao office.
www.hmo.gov.cn/sgazx/gayw/2...
www.hmo.gov.cn/sgazx/gayw/2...
Just published this short piece on the big Panama Canal port deal and implications for US-China (maritime) competition, and the middle powers squeezed in between.
BLUF: BlackRock acquired a huge port-folio of port terminals, planting US flag in a long-neglected sector.
rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publica...
BLUF: BlackRock acquired a huge port-folio of port terminals, planting US flag in a long-neglected sector.
rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publica...
IP25026 | American Consortium’s Purchase of Hong Kong-Owned Port Terminals Has Implications Far Beyond Panama
SYNOPSIS The announcement that the American consortium BlackRock will be buying Hong Kong CK Hutchison’s port operations business has been heralded as a success in support of President Donald Trump’s ...
rsis.edu.sg
March 11, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Just published this short piece on the big Panama Canal port deal and implications for US-China (maritime) competition, and the middle powers squeezed in between.
BLUF: BlackRock acquired a huge port-folio of port terminals, planting US flag in a long-neglected sector.
rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publica...
BLUF: BlackRock acquired a huge port-folio of port terminals, planting US flag in a long-neglected sector.
rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publica...