Caption
A flag of the United Nations flies at the United Nations Offices in Geneva on August 14, 2025. (Getty Images)
Caption
(Doug Armand/Getty Images)
When Deng Xiaoping launched China on the path to economic reform in the late 1970s, he vowed to build “socialism with Chinese characteristics.” More than three decades later, China’s efforts to modernize have yielded something very different from the working people’s paradise Deng envisioned: an incipient kleptocracy, characterized by endemic corruption, soaring income inequality, and growing social tensions.
On December 14, Hudson Institute hosted Minxin Pei for a discussion on his latest book, China’s Crony Capitalism: The Dynamics of Regime Decay. Noted experts Richard McGregor, Andrew Wedeman, and Evan Osnos joined Dr. Pei for a conversation on the unique aspects of China’s kleptocracy and its importance for understanding kleptocracy worldwide. The Kleptocracy Initiative’s Executive Director, Charles Davidson, moderated the event.
Related Events
23
March 2026
Virtual Event | Online Only
Zimbabwe’s Land Seizures and the Road to Resolution
Featured Speakers:
Joshua Meservey
Deon Therons
Allan “Rusty” Markham
John “JT” Tomaszewski
23
March 2026
Virtual Event | Online Only
Zimbabwe’s Land Seizures and the Road to Resolution
Join Senior Fellow Joshua Meservey as he hosts a panel of experts to discuss the history of land expropriation in Zimbabwe, the status of the land compensation agenda, and how policymakers can rectify an issue that bedevils US-Zimbabwe relations.
Featured Speakers:
Joshua Meservey
Deon Therons
Allan “Rusty” Markham
John “JT” Tomaszewski
24
March 2026
In-Person Event | Invite Only
Operation Epic Fury: Strategy, State of Play, and Theories of Victory
Featured Speakers:
Michael Doran
David Albright
Can Kasapoğlu
Rebeccah L. Heinrichs
Ray Takeyh
Nadav Samin
Ilan Berman
Zineb Riboua
H.E. Yechiel Leiter
Joel Scanlon
24
March 2026
In-Person Event | Invite Only
Operation Epic Fury: Strategy, State of Play, and Theories of Victory
This conference convenes leading experts and policymakers to examine why the conflict began, assess the current state of play, and explore competing theories of victory.
Featured Speakers:
Michael Doran
David Albright
Can Kasapoğlu
Rebeccah L. Heinrichs
Ray Takeyh
Nadav Samin
Ilan Berman
Zineb Riboua
H.E. Yechiel Leiter
Joel Scanlon
25
March 2026
In-Person Event | Invite Only
Postponed | Updating US Trade Policy: A Discussion on the Strategic and Economic Importance of Central Asia with Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA)
Featured Speakers:
Michael Doran
Congressman Jimmy Panetta
25
March 2026
In-Person Event | Invite Only
Postponed | Updating US Trade Policy: A Discussion on the Strategic and Economic Importance of Central Asia with Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA)
Please Join Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Senior Fellow Michael Doran for a discussion on the region’s significance and why updating US trade policy is key to unlocking its potential in an era of renewed great power competition.
Featured Speakers:
Michael Doran
Congressman Jimmy Panetta
26
March 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
China’s Economic Slowdown: Risks, Realities, and Strategic Implications
Featured Speakers:
Thomas J. Duesterberg
Leland Miller
Moderator:
Miles Yu
26
March 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
China’s Economic Slowdown: Risks, Realities, and Strategic Implications
Join Hudson Institute for a panel that will discuss Dr. Duesterberg’s new report on the Chinese economic model and how policymakers should consider its vulnerabilities when formulating strategy to counter Beijing’s practices.
Featured Speakers:
Thomas J. Duesterberg
Leland Miller
Moderator:
Miles Yu
Related Research
Caption
(Screenshot via YouTube)
Caption
(Screenshot via BBC)
Caption
A US Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft flies over the US Central Command area of responsibility during Operation Epic Fury, March 9, 2026. (US Air Force)
