Foreign Affairs ‘Zhang Shengmin Is Here to See You’ The purges in Beijing do not change the basic Chinese strategic calculus, but they may affect how it is executed. (Photo by MAXIM SHEMETOV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) On January 24, 2026, Generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, two high-ranking Chinese military officials, were placed under investigation. While not quite technically purged, they are heading that way. Their fall raises questions about the future of the high command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the Taiwan issue, and U.S.–China relations. Time will tell what happens to the PLA. Taiwan is a core interest for China, so the purges are only one part of the calculus, not the main variable. For U.S.–China relations, stability will be more determined by the two presidents, not just who interfaces at the military-to-military level.   Zhang and Liu were members of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the PLA’s supreme command organ. At the last Chinese Communist Party (CCP) congress in October 2022, the CMC had Xi Jinping and six other members. Over three years later, and with under two years left until the next Party Congress, the CMC currently consists of just Xi Jinping and Zhang Shengmin.  Since 2012, Xi has waged a kind of “forever war” against military corruption, but largely focused on retired PLA figures. But when 15 leaders from the PLA Rocket Force (PLARF) and the defense industry were punished, it hinted that the investigators were marching upward toward the current CMC.  In June 2024, Defense Minister Li Shangfu and his predecessor Wei Fenghe (fully retired in March 2023) were expelled for bribery. They were joined by CMC Vice Chairman General He Weidong and Admiral Miao Hua, who were purged in October 2025. This duo had overseen political ideology and personnel management at the CMC level. An October 2025 press release from Xinhua stated that “their violations involved exceptionally large amounts of money, and are of extremely serious nature and with extremely negative impacts.” That left three military officers in the CMC. The dust had barely settled on He and Miao when the official news broke about Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli.  Zhang Youxia was a combat veteran and a company commander during the Sino-Vietnam conflict (1979–1991). He rose steadily through the ranks of the PLA Ground Forces (PLAGF) before joining the CMC and overseeing weapons procurement. Xi would then elevate Zhang to a vice chairmanship and to the Politburo in 2017. But what later stood out was when Xi “broke” a soft rule on age-delineated retirement norms (appointees must be 67 or younger at the beginning of a five-year term). In October 2022, Zhang was 72 years old, well past the limit. But he was retained. It has been noted that Xi and Zhang have a long family history, but public details are few. Better to focus on what is known: Xi decided to exempt Zhang from retirement norms. That speaks volumes about his capability and respect among current and retired PLA leaders. Though it could equally reflect a desire to watch closely over what Zhang was doing.  Much less is known about Liu Zhenli. Liu also saw combat against Vietnam.  His later years as commander of the PLA Ground Forces coincided with major organizational reforms that Xi began. Liu’s 2022 appointment to direct the Joint Staff Department (JSD) is noteworthy because the JSD role oversees joint operations and interfaces with the PLA’s five theater commands (similar to U.S. Combatant Commands).  Zhang and Liu had not made public appearances since December 22, 2025, when they had attended a promotion ceremony for new four-star generals. But it was their subsequent absence from a January 19 political study session that telegraphed trouble. They could not be spotted in any photographs next to their military peers. By the weekend, it was announced that they were “under investigation.” In a November 12, 2025 essay for People’s Daily, Zhang wrote about how the PLA would need to implement the latest tasks coming out of the 20th Party Congress. He highlighted that political reliability, loyalty, and anti-corruption are the highest priorities. Zhang wrote that the CCP’s system provided the PLA with advantages to construct a superior army. He concedes that the military procurement needs to improve and nods to the role that Party leadership should play.  The most fascinating phrase is the mention of “two-faced people” who seem politically aligned, yet “violate Party principles.” He probably did not expect that in the court of opinion, he would soon be judged as one of those “two-faced people.” Ample details are unlikely to be forthcoming. PLA investigations tend to reveal even less than other CCP cases. The silence allows rumors to proliferate, especially the variety about coups being averted. While the official explanation may not satiate curiosity, it’s worth assessing what is available. A January 25 essay in the PLA Daily framed Zhang and Liu’s descent as necessary because they “seriously fueled political and corruption issues.” Removing them acts as a cleanse that “eliminates toxins” and “removes rot to promote healing.” Zhang and Liu “seriously betrayed the trust and heavy responsibility” from their offices, and “trampled and undermined the CMC Chairman Responsibility System.” Zhang and Liu were probably assessed as lacking sufficient political character. Perhaps it’s a simple story about financial corruption finally catching up to them, but it’s likely to go deeper and involve actions or inactions that undermined Xi’s confidence and touched military effectiveness: “They have caused immense damage to the military’s political construction, political ecology, and combat capability construction, and have had an extremely vile influence on the Party, the state, and the military.” The concluding section assuages doubt about the anti-corruption efforts, stating that more efforts will make the PLA “stronger, purer, and more combat-capable.” That leaves one military officer on the CMC, Zhang Shengmin.  Zhang leads the PLA’s anticorruption efforts. Before January 2017, his career had been spent as a PLARF political commissar. One of his last PLARF roles was serving alongside Wei Fenghe (whom he later helped purge) as political commissar. But nine months before the 19th Party Congress, Zhang assumed leadership of the CMC Discipline and Inspection Commission. When the Party convened, he remained in his role but was additionally granted a seat on the CMC itself. This was highly unusual, but it suggested that Xi was just getting started on military anti-corruption efforts.  Since 2010, Xi has served with 22 military officers on the CMC. Ten of them have fallen during the anticorruption campaign, and Zhang has overseen eight of those cases. In October 2025, he stepped into the empty vice chairman seat vacated by He. Zhang is projected to retire at the 21st Party Congress, though it is worth watching to see what happens to him: Does he continue his work, does he retire, or does he too fall prey to the purges, perhaps after outlasting his usefulness? The editorial that framed Zhang Youxia and Liu’s purge leaves the door open, saying “the digging is going deeper.” There are questions about what comes next. The CMC is now down to Xi and Zhang Shengmin. Will more leaders join the CMC before October 2027? If so, who are they, and from where in the PLA system will they rise? The most obvious role to fill is the second vice chairman position. It would be logical to keep power divided, lest Zhang be “tempted.” Many of the purges came from the PLAGF and PLARF, so the PLA Navy or PLA Air Force might emerge stronger.  The theater commanders have not traditionally been CMC members, while the PLA reorganization left service chiefs and many CMC department leaders on the outside. Xi’s decision will reveal who he views as loyal and capable and what roles and experiences are valuable. There is also the possibility of bringing on civilians. But this move would beget speculation, as party officials and analysts alike wonder if these individuals are auditioning to succeed Xi.  Relatedly, there are natural questions about the PLA and Taiwan. Losing key military leaders will undoubtedly affect the PLA. Unexpected departures mean a loss of experience and institutional knowledge. Zhang and Liu had combat experience and knew well the sober realities of warfighting; however, these conflicts were over forty years ago, and primarily featured infantry and artillery combined arms, far different from the joint warfighting a Taiwan scenario is likely to involve. Officially, the PLA has articulated that fighting corruption and removing it not only cleans up the organization but also improves warfighting and unit cohesion. There is some sense to this, but it is not the most important factor to consider.  What’s most important is that China still views Taiwan as a core interest, particularly desiring to unify with the island, to end the Chinese Civil War, and to finally put the Century of Humiliation behind it. Xi Jinping and the rest of the CCP are unlikely to alter their views concerning Taiwan. Purges in military leadership are unlikely to change this fact, though they may affect other decisions around strategy.  The PLA still possesses military superiority over Taiwan. And if the decision is made to go kinetic, one should not rule out China’s willingness to pay a steep price and fight a protracted war. It’s important to emphasize that this is not China’s preferred policy, and that “peaceful unification” is the first-ranked choice. But hard power will not be taken off the table. The anticorruption efforts in the PLA may spell trouble for more military leaders, but it does not change the basic calculus about Taiwan. For the United States, what does this mean? Zhang Youxia had built a connection with then U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. According to Sullivan, their August 2024 meeting in Beijing was the first time in eight years that a U.S. official had sat down with a CMC vice chairman. They had discussed military-to-military communications, Taiwan, and the South China Sea. While Sullivan and Zhang are both gone, the Trump administration has kept channels open: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth met face-to-face with Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun in October 2025.  What will matter most for the United States is for President Donald Trump to continue thawing relations with China. The likely April 2026 visit to Beijing is important and a chance to continue building stability and de-escalating military tensions. Trump and Xi will not return to early 2000s-style “engagement.” The challenge that their respective countries pose to one another makes it unlikely and unrealistic.  And while they figure out what shape the economic competition will take, they can continue to build trust in the military domain and reassure one another that war is not desirable or productive among them. Trump has wisely not commented on the development. It’s best to let China deal with this problem itself and to focus on the tenor of preparing for the visit to China. The post ‘Zhang Shengmin Is Here to See You’ appeared first on The American Conservative.

Making small talk can be frustrating for many reasons. It's nerve-wracking to come up with things to talk about with someone you hardly know that aren't "How's the weather?" or "So, what do you do for a living?" Some folks try to avoid it altogether because they find small talk boring.However, being good at small talk can be a huge benefit, whether it helps you come across as more charming on first dates, build better rapport with coworkers, or make more friends at a party. Small talk is great for your romantic life, social life, and professional advancement. The problem is that many people are afraid of getting stuck in an awkward silence or in a conversation that isn't going anywhere.Social skills coach Andrew Godwin offers a group program that helps high school boys master conversation skills, build real friendships, and develop unshakable confidence. He's also a popular TikToker who shares tips for building confidence and improving communication. @andrew.godwin Small phrases that keep things roollliinnngggg #conversationtips #peopleskills #andrewgodwin Godwin says the key to keeping every conversation "rolling" and avoiding awkward silences is knowing how to use open-ended questions and phrases. Here are four that he recommends:1. "Tell me more""Somebody's telling you any story, or they give you a little glimpse of something. 'I had a crazy weekend.' 'Tell me more. Tell me all about it. Tell me, I wanna hear more.' That's a beautiful open up. Give them the floor," Godwin says. 2. "What was that like?""They went on a trip to Italy. They went to the freaking new market downtown. 'What was that like?' Just open the floor for them beautifully," he says.3. "How'd you get into that?""Somebody does anything interesting at all, they're like, 'I went fly fishing the other day.' Or they play pickleball. Or they even, like, do board games on Sundays. 'How'd you get into that? What got you into that?' The reason behind stuff is always the way to go," he adds.4. "What were some of the highlights?""I've learned that 'What was your favorite part?' never really pans out well. But you can say, like, 'What were some of the highlights?' Or 'What caught your eye?' about literally anything," he concludes. Two women enjoy coffee together.via Canva/Photos"Notice how none of these are yes-or-no questions," Godwin says in the video. When you ask someone a yes-or-no question, you're often dooming the conversation because it gives you nothing to follow through on. It can feel like you have to start a whole new topic out of nowhere.Open-ended questions begin with who, what, when, where, why, or how, and they encourage your conversation partner to think before responding, which usually elicits a more interesting (and longer) response.In the video below, Celeste Headlee explains how to ask good open-ended questions in her TED Talk, "10 ways to have a better conversation." - YouTube www.youtube.com After hearing Godwin's tips, you might be thinking, "When do I get to talk in the conversation if I'm always asking questions?" The good news is that studies show the more questions you ask someone in a conversation, the more they will like you back. So don't worry if you haven't had enough time to talk about yourself. If you're asking engaging questions, chances are they already enjoy talking with you.

Burrowed in the green Dumfries and Galloway county of Scotland, is a cozy bookstore. But this isn't just any bookstore. Sure, it has plastic-covered hardback books lining old wooden shelves. Yes, it has the occasional stool for sitting and reading a chapter or two. But what makes this particular bookstore stand out is one can actually rent and live in it, and help sell books.It's called "The Open Book," and it's a bookshop with a warm, cheery flat upstairs. A person can rent it out for a snippet of time using Airbnb, and work at the store downstairs in whatever capacity they choose. Chris Lawlor (self-described Scotland promoter) shared a clip on his Instagram breaking down the whole genius operation. See on Instagram Over various photos of the unique spot, a voiceover of Lawler asks, "Did you know that in Scotland, there's a bookshop you can actually live in and run yourself for a week? It's part of a unique experience where you're handed the keys before heading up the stairs to relax and sleep. Then waking up and opening the doors to live out a dream job of running a cozy bookshop called The Open Book in Wigtown."The street is riddled with other bookstores Lawler shares: "With eight bookshops on your doorstep...the money collected during your stay goes toward the town's annual book festival."While versions of this Reel have been posted by others, Lawlor's clip has well over half a million likes and thousands of comments from enthusiastic travelers. Some are just in disbelief. "What? I just watched this 3 times to make sure I wasn't dreaming. I can live in and run a bookshop? Dreams do come true! Holy smokes. I'm shook. This is the coziest, dreamiest, most brilliant idea ever!" wrote one. A person browses at The Open Book in Scotland.Photo Credit: Colin Tennant, FlickrA few note the ingenious business model, with one writing, "Cracking business idea. Free staff!"And though some point out that the waitlist is rather long, they're adding it to their "to do" lists. One writes, "As a retired librarian, this would be a dream vacation--wait, I visit Scotland every year for the last 11 years. Why haven't I done this already? Lol OK, new item on my bucket list."Having begun in the 1990s, the Wigtown Book Festival is quite the event. On a page of their website they explain, "Booked through Airbnb, paying guests live in the self-catering apartment upstairs and run the bookshop below it for the duration of their stay. During their stay, guests are free to change displays, price books, re-categorise them, and make inventive use of the blackboard that entices visitors in to browse or chat. Some guests are happy to quietly run the bookshop, while others come with firmer plans and creative ideas!" The bedroom for rent above The Open Book in Scotland.Photo Credit: Colin Tennant, FlickrWriter Freya Parr documented her experience at the shop in 2019 for The Guardian. After explaining it was the "brainchild" of Jessica Fox, she shares that she and her boyfriend had a wonderful time. " If we weren’t being entertained by the customers, it was the other booksellers, who welcomed us like old friends. We became as much of a tourist attraction for the locals as the place was for us, and the conversations we had were worlds away from those back home. Nobody cared what our jobs were–they were more interested in what had brought us here."On the Airbnb site, they add how it works: "The first ever bookshop holiday / residency experience, Scotland's National Book Town welcomes you to play-bookshop for a week or two. We'll give you your very own apartment and bookshop below, supported by a team of friendly volunteers to make your trip as lovely as possible. Set up by The Wigtown Festival Company, The Open Book's aim is to celebrate books, independent bookshops, and welcome people around the world to Scotland's National Book Town."The reviews from people who have taken part in this unique experience as recently as last month are stellar. One writes, in part, "Running The Open Book bookshop for a week was utmost fun! We met lots of travelling booknerds who popped in and many of the friendly Wigtown locals. It's a charming little town surrounded by beautiful nature. We got home yesterday and I miss being in the bookshop already."

Ancient Romans—they're just like us. At least when it comes to how much they love their dogs, that is.Pliny the Elder (23–79 A.D.), the Roman author and scholar, described dogs as "man's most faithful companion" in his Naturalis Historia. He also wrote: "The dog alone knows his master, and he alone recognizes his own name. He alone, too, in his master’s defense, will lay down his life; and, let his master die, he will remain on the watch by the body."The Romans' devotion to their dogs was made clear in the epitaphs they wrote for their dogs as inscriptions on their tombstones. David Ian Rowe, an American anthropologist and archeologist who specializes in ethnocynology, "the study of dogs in human cultural contexts," shared a number of heartbreakingly beautiful epitaphs the Ancient Romans wrote in honor of their beloved dogs. (They'll surely bring a tear to your eye.)Howe explains in the video's intro that these epitaphs were originally written in Latin. Here are ancient Roman epitaphs that expressed how much they loved their dogs. - YouTube www.youtube.com Epitaph #1"Myia never barked without reason. But now she is silent."Epitaph #2"Surely even as thou liest in dead in this tomb, I deem the wild beasts yet fear thy white bones."Epitaph #3"My eyes were wet with tears our little dog, when I bore you to the grave. So Patricus, never again shall you give me a thousand kisses. Never can you be contentedly in my lap. In sadness have I buried you, and you deservest. In a resting place of marble, I have put you for all of time by the side of my shade." - YouTube www.youtube.com Epitaph #4"Here the stone says it holds the white dog from Melita, the most faithful guardian of Eumelus. Bull, they called him when he was yet alive. But now his voice is imprisoned in the silent pathways of the night."Epitaph #5"Ye who pass this monument laugh not, I pray thee, for this is a dog's grave. Tears fell for me and dust was heaped above me by a master's hand."Epitaph #6"I am in tears while carrying you to your last resting place. Much as I rejoiced when brining you home in my own hands fifteen years ago." @davidianhowe Greco-Roman dog epitaphs. #AncientRome #Rome #AncientHistory #ClassicalCivilization #Dogs #epitaph #Anthropology #Archaeology #History From other sourcesThe last epitaphs come from The British Museum and the University of Arizona, respectively: Epitaph #7"Gaul gave me my birth and the pearl-oyster from the seas full of treasure my name, an honour fitting to my beauty. I was trained to run boldly through strange forests and to hunt out furry wild beasts in the hills never accustomed to be held by heavy chains nor endure cruel beatings on my snow-white body. I used to lie on the soft lap of my master and mistress and knew to go to bed when tired on my spread mattress and I did not speak more than allowed as a dog, given a silent mouth No-one was scared by my barking but now I have been overcome by death from an ill-fated birth and earth has covered me beneath this small piece of marble. Margarita (‘Pearl’)." - The British MuseumEpitaph #8"How sweet that one was, how kind, who, while she was living, used to lie down in the folds of my toga always aware of sleep and a bed. O what a wicked deed, Myia, that you have perished. Just now you would bark, if any rival were lying down near your lady, wanton one. O what a wicked deed, Myia, that you have perished. Now the lofty tomb holds you unaware of life, you are neither able to rage nor leap, nor will you shine back to me with flattering bites." - University of Arizona

"Why do you want to leave your current job?" This common interview question can trip up even the most qualified candidates. Should you share specifics, and if so, which ones? Would being vague raise suspicion? Could some details come off as too negative? One career coach offers a smart approach that keeps the focus on the one thing everyone is invested in: filling the vacant role."You should frame it as a pull instead of a push," career coach Madeline Mann said in a TikTok video. Rather than answering the question with common replies such as wanting a different opportunity or having no room for advancement in your current role, which "push" you away from your current employer, shift the focus of your answer to the "pull" of the open position. That includes the job description, the appeal of the company, and the factors that drew you to apply or prompted a recruiter to reach out.Instead of saying, "I'm looking for a different job," try something like: "I wasn't actively looking for a new role, but after learning about this position, I wanted to know more and share what I could bring to the team." @selfmademillennial Nearly every company will ask you why you left your job or why you are leaving your current job, it will sound like: “why did you leave your job?” “Why do you want to leave your current job?” They asked this in the job interview to get an understanding of your motivations and desires. They will also make assumptions that history will repeat itself, so be careful with your answer and what it says about you! Here is how to answer it with answer examples and samples. Follow for more job interview strategies and tips. #JobInterviewTips #JobSearch #jobinterview Mann said this approach helps you avoid any generic, and sometimes uncomfortable, responses. She argued that it positions you as a qualified candidate who is excited to join the team, rather than someone who can't wait to leave their current one.Other experts weigh inMany of Mann's fellow career experts who spoke with Upworthy agreed with her approach and offered additional advice on how to answer, "Why do you want to leave your current job?""Madeline Mann's approach in the clip–developing a 'pull' narrative rather than a 'push' narrative–is absolutely spot on," said Lili Foggle, director of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Career Coaches Interview Institute. "An interview is a competition, and in most cases there's just one winner. A candidate who is miserable and desperate to leave their current role, is not going to be the number one candidate that they can't wait to hire." @emily.the.recruiter How to answer “why are you looking for a new job” in an interview #careertips #interviewtips #interviews #recruiterhack "'Why are you leaving your current job?' is a common trap," said career coach Brian Pulliam. "Honestly, it's none of their damn business, but it is an opportunity to share more about yourself to help you stand out.""Responses to questions like these reveal more than 'why' you're really leaving a company. A good manager or HR professional is seeking to learn more about you by asking this," said Dr. Antoinette M. Boyd, a former HR professional and current assistant professor at Maryville University. "For this reason, the best answers combine honesty with information that helps the interviewer understand your current aspirations and future ambitions, so they have an understanding of why this opportunity and company are in alignment with your professional goals."While the majority of Mann's peers agreed that focusing on the positive aspects of your current role and what you can offer a potential employer is a smart approach, not all of them felt it was the best way to highlight your strengths."I respectfully disagree with [Mann's advice] and here's why," remarked career coach Renessa Boley Layne. "There are two things employers are looking for with this question: performance risk and fit risk. Candidates who proactively address both in their answer are the ones who win. This advice, however, runs the risk of marking a candidate as a 'job hopper,' and that's a huge fit risk for managers." @realisticrecruiting When you get asked on a job interview, why you want to leave your current job? It is OK to be a passive candidate. It is OK to have options. The best candidates usually do. #jobsearching #jobsearchtips #careeradvice #jobinterviewquestions #jobinterviewtips Formulaic interview questions or not, it's important to know that the interview process is just as much about you evaluating them as a potential employer as it is about appealing to them as a future employee."The biggest miss with interviews is treating it like a test," added Pulliam. "It's far more effective to think of it like 'Career Tinder': you need to know enough to decide if you want to swipe right on them, not just convince them to swipe right on you."

From Open Borders to Ruinous Powderkegs

Respect the Badge. Enforce the Law but Fix the System.

Biology and Common Sense Triumph Over Radical Transgender Ideology

Washington Post Layoffs Mark Long-Awaited Decline of Regime Media