China’s Ruthless War on Christianity

While not so extensive as its brutalization of the Uighur Muslims, Beijing’s campaign to repress its Christian subjects has been in full swing for three years. Nina Shea writes:

Tactics, aimed principally at church leadership but including ordinary Christians, range from prison to social marginalization, closures of churches, censorship of Christian teaching, secret detention in “black” jails for brainwashing and Maoist “struggle sessions,” torture, and likely execution by means of organ excision.

The Chinese Communist Party has always put pressure on church leadership to conform, but now the pressure is widespread and intensifying. A Catholic priest in China commented to AsiaNews that the policy is to treat religions “as state institutions” and religious workers as “civil servants.” This is especially ominous as China—a Communist police state anxious for religion to wither away—conflates Christianity with Western democracy, its perceived political, economic, and military arch-competitor.

Church closures and desecrations continue. The website Bitter Winter reports that at least 400 Protestant churches, both underground and state-overseen, . . . in Jiangxi province’s Shangrao city were demolished, closed, or repurposed in 2020. In April 2020, 48 [state-approved “patriotic”] churches were closed in Yugan county, Jiangxi. . . . Crosses and holy pictures are being continuously removed from “patriotic” churches, with some jurisdictions substituting Xi Jumping’s picture, and replacing displays of the Ten Commandments with Xi’s sayings.

Read more at Hudson Institute

More about: China, Christians, Freedom of Religion

Kuwait Should Be the Next Country to Make Peace with Israel

Feb. 13 2025

Like his predecessor, Donald Trump seeks to expand the Abraham Accords to include Saudi Arabia. But there are other Arab nations that might consider taking such a step. Ahmad Charai points to Kuwait—home to the Middle East’s largest U.S. army base and desperately in need of economic reform—as a good candidate. Kuwaitis haven’t forgiven Palestinians for supporting Saddam Hussein during his 1990 invasion, but their country has been more rhetorically hostile to Israel than its Gulf neighbors:

The Abraham Accords have reshaped Middle Eastern diplomacy. . . . Kuwait, however, remains hesitant due to internal political resistance. While full normalization may not be immediately feasible, the United States should encourage Kuwait to take gradual steps toward engagement, emphasizing how participation in regional cooperation does not equate to abandoning its historical positions.

Kuwait could use its influence to push for peace in the Middle East through diplomatic channels opened by engagement rather than isolation. The economic benefits of joining the broader framework of the Abraham Accords are overwhelming. Israel’s leadership in technology, agriculture, and water management presents valuable opportunities for Kuwait to enhance its infrastructure. Trade and investment flows would diversify the economy, providing new markets and business partnerships.

Kuwaiti youth, who are increasingly looking for opportunities beyond the public sector, could benefit from collaboration with advanced industries, fostering job creation and entrepreneurial growth. The UAE and Bahrain have already demonstrated how normalization with Israel can drive economic expansion while maintaining their respective geopolitical identities.

Read more at Jerusalem Strategic Tribune

More about: Abraham Accords, Kuwait