Author: Dominic Nicholls

Originally coined during the Cold War, the term “useful idiot” described unwitting supporters of the Soviet Union. Today, it has evolved to encompass a wider range of contexts, still primarily focused on politics and international relations. China is observing and learning from the war in Ukraine, garnering valuable insights on testing international boundaries, shielding itself from global backlash, and dividing its opponents. With minimal repercussions for Beijing, Vladimir Putin’s actions in Ukraine provide Xi Jinping with a blueprint for his own strategic maneuvers, especially in relation to Taiwan. In Defence in Depth, Dominic Nicholls, The Telegraph’s associate editor, elaborates on…