James Crabtree

James Crabtree is a columnist at Foreign Policy, a former executive director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies-Asia, and the author of The Billionaire Raj: A Journey Through India’s New Gilded Age.

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Articles by James Crabtree
New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference after his first cabinet meeting at Downing Street, London, on July 6.
New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference after his first cabinet meeting at Downing Street, London, on July 6.

Keir Starmer Should Rethink Britain’s China Policy
Argument
James Crabtree
U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping hold a summit meeting in Woodside, California on Nov. 15, 2023.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping hold a summit meeting in Woodside, California on Nov. 15, 2023.

Can a U.S.-China Military Hotline Stop the Downward Spiral?
Analysis
James Crabtree
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz appears with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the State Guest House in Beijing on April 16.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz appears with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the State Guest House in Beijing on April 16.

The Strategic Unseriousness of Olaf Scholz
Analysis
James Crabtree
Then-U.S. President Donald Trump participates in an arrival ceremony during a visit in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Nov. 12, 2017.
Then-U.S. President Donald Trump participates in an arrival ceremony during a visit in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Nov. 12, 2017.

Why Asia Should Sound the Trump Alarm
Analysis
James Crabtree
Indonesian Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto holds a campaign rally at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Feb. 10.
Indonesian Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto holds a campaign rally at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Feb. 10.

Why Are Asia’s Democratic Leaders So Popular?
Analysis
James Crabtree
Biden scratches his eye in front of a U.S. flag.
Biden scratches his eye in front of a U.S. flag.

America’s Strategy of Ambiguity Is Ending Now
Argument
James Crabtree
Reflections of the crains and cargo ships are visible in a reflection in the segmented panoramic windows of a moored ship. The ships are piled high with shipping containers in various colors, and a hazy sky is visible above them.
Reflections of the crains and cargo ships are visible in a reflection in the segmented panoramic windows of a moored ship. The ships are piled high with shipping containers in various colors, and a hazy sky is visible above them.

5 Issues to Watch in 2024
Roundup
James Crabtree, Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Edward Alden, Agathe Demarais, C. Raja Mohan
Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden hold a summit meeting at Filoli House in Woodside, California on Nov. 15.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden hold a summit meeting at Filoli House in Woodside, California on Nov. 15.

Why Xi Thinks He Got the Better of Biden
Analysis
James Crabtree
A protester holds a placard reading "China Out" outside the Chinese Embassy in Manila.
A protester holds a placard reading "China Out" outside the Chinese Embassy in Manila.

With Two Wars Raging, China Tests America in Asia
Analysis
James Crabtree
Joe Biden walks across a stage.
Joe Biden walks across a stage.

U.S.-China De-Risking Will Inevitably Escalate
Analysis
James Crabtree
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak shake hands after signing a defense agreement at the Tower of London on Jan. 11
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak shake hands after signing a defense agreement at the Tower of London on Jan. 11

Britain’s Surprisingly Enduring Tilt to Asia
Analysis
James Crabtree
Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden meet at the G-20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, on Nov. 14, 2022.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden meet at the G-20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, on Nov. 14, 2022.

Biden and Xi Are Doomed to Escalation
Analysis
James Crabtree
Biden, Xi hold virtual summit
Biden, Xi hold virtual summit

Biden-Xi Meeting Unlikely to Halt U.S.-Chinese Slide
Analysis
James Crabtree
A grid of video screens shows U.S President Joe Biden attends a virtual summit with ASEAN leaders/
A grid of video screens shows U.S President Joe Biden attends a virtual summit with ASEAN leaders/

Biden and Xi Struggle to Compete in Asia
Analysis
James Crabtree
Biden and Xi hold a virtual summit
Biden and Xi hold a virtual summit

Biden and Asia: Modest Progress, Ongoing Confusion
Analysis
James Crabtree
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