MISSION ACCOMPLISHED? the Fallout of U.S

OPINION: BBC SKEWS XINJIANG P.30 | FEATURES: HOUSEWORK GETS LEGAL RECOGNITION P.40

VOL.64 NO.36 SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 WWW.BJREVIEW.COM

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED? The fallout of U.S. Middle East policy

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CONTENTS EDITOR’S DESK OPINION FEATURES 02 Pretexts for Intervention 24 Is an Ideological Clash a 34 Unity in Diversity Self-Fulfilling Prophecy? No ethnic group left behind THIS WEEK The U.S. stoking a potential conflict 36 Learning to Fly Chinese Paralympians shine COVER STORY 26 Anti-Virus Cooperation 12 Rise and Fall Is a Must 38 At Your Service When will the U.S. stop Politicizing virus tracing is Patient companions meddling in the Middle East? less than helpful 40 Not-So-Desperate Housewives 16 Strategic Re-Evaluation 28 Serve the People Household duties recognized by divorce courts Two decades of flawed policy How to eradicate extreme poverty 42 No Easy Road Ahead 18 Middle East Debacle 30 BBC on Xinjiang: Violating Autonomous vehicles face obstacles

The failed reshaping of the The In-House Rules CULTURE region A question of credibility 46 Happiness Amid Hardship 20 Libyan Conciliation 31 Domination Is Not in the TV drama causes a stir Looking forward to the future Chinese DNA The West’s misunderstanding of China EXPAT’S EYE 48 China and Egypt, Apart but Alike An Egyptian view of life in China

Cover Design: Wang Yajuan

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A News Weekly Magazine Published Since 1958 Pretexts for Intervention President: Li Yafang Editor in Chief: Li Jianguo Since taking office the Joe Biden adminis- George W. Bush administration, the U.S. Associate President: Yan Ying tration has made no clear statement about invaded two countries and bombed several Content Director: Liu Yunyun U.S. Middle East strategy, indicating there others in the name of “War on Terror” in

Executive Editor: Yan Wei will probably be no major changes for the the Greater Middle East, and vowed to Associate Executive Editors: Zan Jifang, Ding Ying time being, and the evacuation of U.S. conduct the Greater Middle East Initiative Production Director: Yao Bin Editorial Administrators: Zeng Wenhui, Hou Beibei troops from Afghanistan is unlikely to with the aim of “democracy promotion.” Assistant Executive Editor: Li Fangfang change the U.S. mindset. But facts have shown that the 20-year war Commentator: Lan Xinzhen Editors: Wang Hairong, Li Nan Looking at history, the post-World War has brought untold disaster to Middle East Editorial Consultants: Elsbeth van Paridon, Ryan Perkins Reporters: Tang Yuankai, Wang Jun, Pan Xiaoqiao, Yuan Yuan, II objective of U.S. Middle East strategy countries, and American democratic mod- Ji Jing, Lu Yan, Wen Qing, Li Qing, Li Xiaoyang, Ma Miaomiao, was to counter the influence and perceived els are a poor fit in the region. Zhang Shasha, Tao Xing, Tao Zihui Visual Director: Pamela Tobey threat of the Soviet Union during the Cold Why is U.S. Middle East strategy a fail- Photo Editor: Wang Xiang War. With the dissolution of the Soviet ure? Because it is a destructive approach. Photographer: Wei Yao Art: Li Shigong Union and the end of the Cold War in the The policy has thoroughly disturbed the bal- Design Director: Wang Yajuan 1990s, U.S. Middle East strategy has turned ance of power in the Middle East, making Chief Designer: Cui Xiaodong Designer: Zhao Boyu to controlling the energy resources and the region a hotspot for conflict. From the Proofreading: Ma Xin maintaining dominance in the region. Palestine-Israel conflict, the near disintegra- Human Resources: Zhang Yajie The U.S. has to find an excuse for this tion of Iraq, to the Iranian nuclear issue as Legal Counsel: Yue Cheng purpose. It claims problems like dictator- well as new conflicts such as the Syrian and North America Bureau Chief: Yu Shujun ship, corruption and disregard for human Libyan civil wars following the political Tel/Fax: 1-201-792-0334 E-mail: [email protected] rights and freedom have led to social turmoil of 2011, each of these conflicts has Africa Bureau instability in the Middle East, creating a had a huge impact on regional and interna- Chief Correspondent: Ni Yanshuo Tel: 27-71-6132053 breeding ground for terrorists. This is used tional stability. E-mail: [email protected] as a justification for the U.S. to interfere in China must be vigilant of a destructive General Editorial Office the region’s affairs and promote its values U.S. Middle East strategy. China closely Tel: 86-10-68996252 Fax: 86-10-68326628 there. follows developments in the region, as English Edition The terrorist attacks of September 11, stability and development of the Middle Tel: 86-10-68996250 Advertising Department 2001 provided a pretext for the U.S. to get East are in line with the interests of both the Tel: 86-10-68995807 involved in the Middle East. During the region and China. BR E-mail: [email protected] Distribution Department Tel: 86-10-68310644 E-mail: [email protected]

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SCHOOL BELLS ARE

RINGING A fire drill conducted at a primary school in Changning District, Shanghai, serves as the first class of the new semester on September 1. Following one firefighter’s instructions, students made their way along the escape route. On September 1, primary and secondary schools across the country ushered in the first day of school amid anti-virus measures.

http://www.bjreview.com SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 BEIJING REVIEW 3 THIS WEEK SOCIETY XINHUA activities will be banned from the performing business. Illegal and unethical acts by performers should be reported and dealt with as soon as pos- sible, it said. The document urged artists and performers to carefully consider the social influence of their works and their personal conduct. It said a review and assess- ment mechanism for performers’ morality should be established and improved, stressing that artists and performers should be constantly reminded of the rules and moral standards. Ethylene Project A new ethylene project started production on August 30 in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, according to the Dushanzi Petrochemical Beautified Trees Company of PetroChina, China’s Visitors appreciate a tree hole painting at a park in Shanghai on August 31. The park has had its tree holes largest oil and gas producer. painted to attract new visitors. Located in the city of Korla, southern Xinjiang, the project is expected to have an ethylene production capacity of 600,000 some plans seemed to have tons per year. Urban Renewal run counter to the original Stricter Regulations “Construction of the project China will take measures to intention, such as those on Chinese authorities issued a began in April 2019, with an prevent large-scale demolition demolishing old towns and circular on August 30 urging fur- investment of 8.04 billion yuan of buildings during the upgrad- districts or cutting down old ther management and education ($1.24 billion). It is currently the ing of cities, the country’s urban- trees on a large scale. for artistic performers across the largest refining and chemical planning authorities said on All localities should care- country. project invested by PetroChina August 31. fully plan their urban-renewal Noting problems including in southern Xinjiang,” said Xu The country will avoid tear- programs, taking into account tax evasion in the performance Wenqing, General Manager of ing down existing buildings on the situation of each city and industry, the Ministry of Culture the Dushanzi Petrochemical a large scale unless those build- avoiding increasing hidden debts and Tourism stressed that artistic Company. ings are illegal or designated as to local governments, Huang performers should strengthen To protect the ecosystem in dangerous by professional agen- said. their legal awareness. Artistic southern Xinjiang, the project cies, while historical buildings After decades of rapid devel- performers should be educated has adopted global cutting- should be preserved, said Huang opment, China’s urbanization has in terms of laws on copyright edge technologies to reduce Yan, Vice Minister of Housing entered a new phase of develop- and tax, said the document. oxynitride emissions, far below and Urban-Rural Development, ment, with the urbanization rate The commercial events of the national emission limit. at a press conference. at over 60 percent. artistic performers, especially of Meanwhile wastewater reuse will Huang said that while During this new stage, city those serving in public institu- be over 95 percent. many local governments have development should focus on tions, should be brought under The project, which will provide started to introduce policies for optimizing structure, improving strict management, the docu- 1,200 jobs, will help lay the urban renewal in line with the functionality and enhancing ment said, noting that performers foundation for the development Central Government agenda, quality, Huang said. involved in illegal or unethical of industrial chains in southern

4 BEIJING REVIEW SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 http://www.bjreview.com THIS WEEK XINHUA Xinjiang, where industries are recently, an official with the NPPA relatively underdeveloped. said, adding that the newly re- The annual output value leased notice is meant for minors of the project is estimated at 5 who are still in the developmental billion yuan ($774 million) and stage physically and mentally, nearly 700 million yuan ($108.3 and have poor self-control. million) of taxes will be paid per A limited amount of gaming year, the company said. time for minors is understand- able and acceptable as some Preventing Addiction online games can play an active The National Press and role in their development, like Publication Administration sports, programming or chess, (NPPA) has released a notice on the official said. preventing minors from becom- The official said that parents ing addicted to online games. and minors can decide by them- Online game providers can selves how long the children 5G Gathering only offer one-hour services to will play other games that are conducive to minors’ growth, but A coffee-brewing robot is displayed at the venue of 2021 World 5G minors from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Convention in Beijing on August 31. The convention kicked off that Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, not online games. The NPPA has pledged to day, with over 1,500 industry experts, scholars and entrepreneurs as well as on official holidays, ac- from 20 countries participating online and offline. cording to the document made carry out a special campaign in public on August 30. primary and middle schools, and It also urged the strict efforts will be made to strength- implementation of real-name en communication among the More than 1,000 troops from to perform tasks, Tan Kefei, a registration and logins, saying online gaming industry, parents, China, Pakistan, Mongolia and spokesperson for the Ministry of that online game providers must teachers and schools to create Thailand will participate in the National Defense, said at a press not provide any form of game a better environment for the drill. They cover infantry, rapid conference on August 26. service to users who fail to reg- healthy development of minors. response, security, helicopters, Battlefield drills of recon- ister and log in using their real engineering, transportation, and naissance, security guard patrol, identification. Peacekeeping Drill medical services. armed escort, civilian protection Press and publication admin- The Chinese military is holding With the joint operation of and epidemic response are to be istrations at all levels have been its first multinational peace- multinational peacekeeping held during the operation. asked to supervise the imple- keeping live exercise, “Shared forces as an exercise scenario, the Tan said that the Chinese mentation of related measures Destiny-2021,” from September exercise will promote practical military would continue to and deal with companies that fail 6 to 15 at a training base of cooperation among peacekeep- increase its UN peacekeeping to put measures in place. the People’s Liberation Army ing troop-contributing countries operation participation and Minors’ addiction to online in Queshan County of Henan and enhance the capability of remain a staunch force for world games has drawn much attention Province. peacekeeping standby forces peace. XINHUA

Succulent Industry A farmer takes care of succulents in Baofeng, a county in Henan Province on August 31. The county has developed succulent planting in recent years to increase farmers’ income and promote rural vitalization.

http://www.bjreview.com SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 BEIJING REVIEW 5 THIS WEEK ECONOMY

Minister of Housing and Urban- 10-year overseas return at 6.82 a long-term institutional investor Logistics Performance Rural Development, told a press percent, 128 basis points higher and saw strong performance The logistics sector maintained conference on August 31. than its target, according to an despite global headwinds, Peng its recovery momentum and Among the different types of annual report published by the Chun, Chairman and CEO of showed better performance in government-subsidized housing, company. CIC, said in the report. the first seven months of 2021, the rental housing is built to Founded in September 2007, The company has also compared with the pre-pandemic mainly address the concerns of CIC was established as a vehicle continued to find new ways level in 2019, according to a new dwellers and young people to diversify China’s foreign to deploy capital overseas, report from the China Federation in big cities, while shared-owner- exchange holdings. It has three strengthened its outbound of Logistics and Purchasing. subsidiaries—CIC International, The value of social logistics ship housing is mainly designed investment partnerships and for people who cannot afford CIC Capital and Central Huijin. pushed ahead with new bilateral reached 179.2 trillion yuan ($27.7 CIC International and CIC trillion) in the period, up 14 per- commercial housing, Wang said. fund initiatives, according to China vowed to tackle hous- Capital are responsible for over- Peng. cent year on year, it showed. seas investment activities, while The average growth rate of ing problems in large cities at the tone-setting Central Economic Central Huijin undertakes equity the January-July period in 2020 investments in the domestic Fund Industry and 2021 came in at 7.1 percent. Work Conference in December The fund industry, now manag- 2020, listing the development of market. The combined revenue of CIC’s total assets had ex- ing assets topping 60 trillion the logistics sector reached 6.8 rental housing as one of its key yuan ($9.27 trillion), has become economic tasks for 2021. panded to $1.2 trillion by the end trillion yuan ($1.05 trillion), a rise of 2020, with net assets standing an important force in serving of 20.8 percent from a year ago. at $1.1 trillion, the report said. the real economy and wealth Overseas Investment Currently, CIC’s overseas management, Yi Huiman, Subsidized Housing China Investment Corp. (CIC), the portfolio consists of public Chairman of the China Securities More than 80 million units of country’s sovereign wealth fund, equity, fixed income, alternative Regulatory Commission, said on government-subsidized and reported a net annual return of assets and cash products. August 30. renovated housing have been 14.07 percent from its overseas Faced with the unprecedent- By the end of July, assets built, improving the living investments on a U.S. dollar ed challenges amid COVID-19, under management of public conditions of more than 200 basis last year. CIC has remained consistent in offering funds had surged 160 million people, Wang Menghui, That put its net annualized its strategic focus, positioned as percent from the end of 2016 to

NUMBERS ($1=6.5 yuan)

Performance of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in January-July (All growth rates are y.o.y.) Revenue Profits Total Total Up 26.6% 2.79 tln Up 92.1% yuan 41.44 tln yuan Of centrally Of centrally administered SOEs administered Up 24.9% 1.85 tln Up 88.8% SOEs yuan 23.27 tln yuan

Of local SOEs Of local SOEs Up 28.9% 931 bln Up 100% yuan 18.16 tln yuan

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23.5 trillion yuan ($3.6 trillion), old-age pension system reform, expansion and below that mark, fell below the boom-bust line ranking fourth globally, Yi told a as well as innovation and entre- contraction. for the first time since March last representative conference of the preneurship. By the end of June, While the reading remained year, according to the NBS. Asset Management Association some 3.6 trillion yuan ($556.9 in the expansion zone, it slid A breakdown of the data of China. billion) of pensions had been from 50.4 in July, due to domes- shows that the sub-indexes for In the same period, the entrusted to the hands of fund tic COVID-19 clusters and recent sectors including road and air volume of private equity funds managers, accounting for more floods, Zhao Qinghe, a senior transportation, hotels, catering, and venture capital funds tripled than 50 percent of the total sum statistician with the NBS, said. culture, sports and entertainment to 12.6 trillion yuan ($1.9 trillion), entrusted for investment. The sub-index for production dropped below the threshold. the second highest in the world, In the meantime, private stood at 50.9, down 0.1 percent- while that of private securities funds’ principal of equity invest- age point from a month earlier, Market Entities funds doubled to 5.5 trillion according to NBS data. This ment reached 7.6 trillion yuan In the first half of the year, 13.95 yuan ($850.8 billion). ($1.17 trillion), about 87 percent indicates the stable expansion of The fund industry has played production in the manufacturing million market entities were of which had gone to small and established, basically returning a positive role in major capital medium-sized firms, hi-tech sector, Zhao explained. market reforms by attracting The NBS data also showed to the expansion pace before the companies and startups. Fund COVID-19 pandemic, according medium to long-term funds, investment into the green sector that market demand has boosting market stability and weakened with the sub-index to Xiong Maoping, deputy head has topped 480 billion yuan of the State Administration for improving the quality of listed ($74.2 billion). for new orders down 1.3 percent- companies, according to Yi. age points from July to 49.6. Market Regulation. As of the end of June, up to Analysts attributed the damp- The data showed that 10.8 trillion yuan ($1.6 trillion) Manufacturing PMI ened demand to the off-season around 9.46 million individual of stocks were held by funds, The purchasing managers’ index effect on the manufacturing businesses were added, growing accounting for 12.5 percent of (PMI) for the manufacturing industry in August, as well as the 28.1 percent year on year, which China’s primary A-share market, sector edged down to 50.1 in high base in the previous period. helped stabilize the job market. up 4.3 percentage points from August, data from the National The data also showed that the China has striven to enhance the end of 2017. Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed PMI for the non-manufacturing policy-based support to stimu- Yi said the fund industry has on August 31. sector came in at 47.5 in August, late the vitality of market entities also contributed to China’s A reading above 50 indicates down from 53.3 in July. The figure to ensure they survive and thrive.

Taxes and fees Debt-to-asset ratio Down 0.2 Total Average percentage point 3.1 tln Up 21.9% yuan 64.3%

Of centrally Of centrally administered SOEs administered 2.1 tln Up 18.6% SOEs yuan 66.9%

Of local SOEs Of local SOEs 945.98 Up 29.9% bln yuan 62.6%

0 100

(Source: Ministry of Finance) http://www.bjreview.com SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 BEIJING REVIEW 7 THIS WEEK WORLD XINHUA   REPUBLIC OF KOREA ESTONIA Members of a Chinese delegation pay Alar Karis speaks at their respects to Chinese soldiers killed a parliamentary session in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and in Tallinn on August 31. Karis, Aid Korea (1950-53) at a ceremony the sole candidate, was elected in Incheon on September 1. The Estonian president that day Republic of Korea returned the remains of 109 Chinese soldiers to China this year XINHUA  TURKEY A child celebrates the 99th Anniversary of Turkey’s Victory Day at the Ataturk Mausoleum in Ankara on August 30. On this day in 1922, the Turks defeated the Greek forces in the Battle of Dumlupinar, the final battle in the Turkish War of Independence XINHUA

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THAILAND A hair salon in Bangkok on September 1. The Thai Government started easing its lockdown and curfew measures that day, allowing restaurants and retail operators to resume operations with strict social distancing and COVID-19 protocols in place XINHUA XINHUA XINHUA  INDIA A man carries his child as the family waded through a waterlogged road in the northeastern state of Assam on August 28. Severe floods wreaked havoc in the states of Bihar and Assam, heavily affecting people and damaging crops

 RUSSIA Fireworks illuminate Moscow’s skies during the opening of the Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival on August 27. The annual event ended on September 5

http://www.bjreview.com SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 BEIJING REVIEW 9 THIS WEEK PEOPLE & POINTS

 LEGENDARY VOLLEYBALL COACH RESIGNS

Lang Ping announced that she stepped down as head coach of China’s national women’s volleyball team on September 1. Lang, one of the most famous Chinese volleyball players in the 1980s known for her fierce spikes, returned to the national team as head coach in 2013. The first time she took up the post was back in 1995. Since 2013, the 60-year-old legendary coach has led China to victory in the Rio Olympics and taken home two World Cup championship titles, one World Championships silver and one bronze. Nevertheless, China failed to venture beyond the group stage in the Olympic Summer Games Tokyo 2020. Lang apologized to Chinese audiences and voiced her willingness to quit the job on July 31.

Protection of Minors People’s Daily the Internet Use of Chinese Minors, in August 26 2020, the number of minor netizens in The Standing Committee of the 13th China exceeded 183 million, with an Ancient City, New Vitality National People’s Congress adopted the online penetration rate of 94.9 percent. Outlook Personal Information Protection Law on More than one third of pupils had the August 30 August 20. The new law classifies the habit of going online before school, and Spanning over 3,100 years, the city of Xi’an, personal data of any minor under the age this figure remained on the rise. once known as Chang’an, was the capital of of 14 and stores it as sensitive personal China highly values the online pro- 13 dynasties and kingdoms from the Western information. Furthermore, it requires tection of minors. In 2019, the Provisions Zhou Dynasty (about 1100– 771 B.C.) to the personal information processors to de- on the Cyber Protection of Children’s Tang Dynasty (618– 907). velop the specific processing rules. This Personal Information as formulated by Xi’an never stops embracing the world. legislation on the cyber protection of the Cyberspace Administration of China In the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 220), minors’ data is welcomed by the public, put forward the specific requirements royal emissary Zhang Qian (164-114 B.C.) especially parents of students. for all relevant parties on how to protect visited the western regions, opening up the According to the Annual Report on children’s personal information.

“The extreme China policy of the previous “Open cooperation in science and U.S. administration has caused serious technology is a major trend, and China damage to our relations, and this situation will accord importance to scientific and has not changed. It is continuing. It goes technological innovation from a global against the fundamental interests of the perspective.” Chinese and American people and the Li Meng, Vice Minister of Science and Technology, at the wishes of the international community.” World 5G Convention in Beijing on August 31 Qin Gang, Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., at the Welcome Event by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations Board of Directors, on August 31

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livery company stipulated that the working Silk Road to the world. During the culturally Working Overtime hours were “996,” from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six flourishing time of the Tang, markets running Beijing Youth Daily days a week, proving a serious violation of from the East to the West accommodated August 27 the lawful provisions on the maximum limit business people from all over the world. In The Supreme People’s Court of China and of working hours. Zhang, an employee of 2021, Chang’an, the China-Europe freight the company, refused to work overtime and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social trains starting from Xi’an, are operating was subsequently fired. The labor arbitration Security jointly released the second batch smoothly, fully integrating into the city’s new body then ruled that the company involved of common labor dispute cases referring to development paradigm. in the case should pay 8,000 yuan ($1,200) some companies’ “996” overtime work rules. Over the past decade, the population of in compensation for the illegal termination of Xi’an has increased to 10 million. Xi’an has The new release comes against the backdrop Zhang’s labor contract. developed from an industrial town to the first of certain Internet firms announcing the Any attempt to thwart employees’ rights city in northwest China with a GDP of 1 tril- cancellation of the so-called “longer-shorter to protection is doomed to fail. The cases also lion yuan ($154 billion). week,” which means employees have to give workers an increased sense of security Meanwhile, modern-day Xi’an features work a six-day week every other week. and guide them to protect their rights accord- more opportunities and wider prospects. In one of the released cases, a parcel de- ing to law. Given its 20-plus national missions, Xi’an has been turned into a new focal point of reform  EXPLOSIVES EXPERT DIES AT 97 and opening up and the China (Shaanxi) Pilot Zheng Zhemin, an academician of both the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Free Trade Zone has been established. and the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a winner of the State Scientific and Its industries today are more high-end Technological Award, died from an undisclosed illness at the age of 97 in late and cutting-edge. Xi’an promotes economic August. advancement through scientific and techno- Zheng obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from Tsinghua University in logical innovations as well as mechanism 1947, and earned his Ph.D. from the California Institute of Technology under the modernization. guidance of Qian Xuesen, aka the father of China’s missile and Cultures in the 21st century have become space programs. more fashionable and inclusive. No matter the After returning to China in 1955, Zheng joined the CAS, pro- usage of hi-tech on the ancient city wall or the posed the basic theories for explosive mechanics and developed restoration of time-honored restaurants, Xi’an the technologies behind the explosive forming of underwater soft integrates its ancient imagery into a modern foundations and the treatment thereof. street view, redesigning the city’s develop- His theories on explosive mechanics have been applied to ment pattern. solve practical problems in a wide range of engineering projects.

“Supporting Hong Kong’s participation “As the largest emissions trading system in the Belt and Road Initiative is an in the world, this [launching its national important measure taken by the carbon trading market] is an important country to carry out high-level step in China’s push to reach carbon opening up. It is also a significant way neutrality before 2060, a goal which for the mainland and Hong Kong to requires tens of trillions of dollars in complement each other and achieve investment to achieve.” common growth.” Beate Trankmann, United Nations Development Program Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, addressing the sixth Belt resident representative in China, in an article published and Road Summit in Hong Kong via video link, on September 1 in China Daily on September 2

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COVER STORY RISE AND

Two decades ofFALL interference leave a shattered Middle East and an exhausted U.S. By Wen Qing

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