Bradley Thayer

Right.

I think we want to keep that in mind that we're dealing with this hyper aggressive state.

And as long as Xi Jinping is in control of it and the party is in control, we're going to see that.

Next week, they're going to have a major military parade on September 3rd, the day after the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

And that military parade is significant for a couple of reasons.

First, it's an important signal.

about China's, the PRC's military capabilities, what the PRC has and what it's developing.

And that's a warning to the U.S., Taiwan, the Philippines, and India as well.

The parade also is there to shore up his rule, to show that he's in charge, Xi Jinping is in charge of this major military force.

And it's to convey to the Chinese people that the party is still in control.

And Xi Jinping, despite a bunch of rumors, is still in control of the PRC.

So next week is going to be a very important week, Dave, with respect to first the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting.

Then the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, the surrender document signed on the deck of the Missouri.

And then, of course, Xi Jinping's military parade, which is a political weapon, right?

He's using that to convey a message

to the rest of the world and to the Chinese people.

So a very important week from the standpoint of geopolitics.

It's important to note also, finally, Dave, that Modi will not be at that parade, but Vladimir Putin will be at the military parade in Beijing next week.

Well, we're going to see, of course, Dave is going to be much more security competition in that relationship.

But President Trump is doing his utmost to ensure that the focus, the major security concern that the U.S.