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Michael Edesess
Michael Edesess
Michael Edesess is chief investment strategist of Compendium Finance, adjunct associate professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and a research associate of the Edhec-Risk Institute.

The tide of violence has risen so high that peaceful protesters can no longer explain it away nor make common cause with it. Peaceful protesters have to strongly separate themselves from the violent ones or watch their cause go up in flames.

A strong moral leader will have the authority to negotiate with the government, whereas a leaderless movement refusing to cede an inch risks sending each protester on the road to pointless martyrdom.

A recent speech by US Defence Secretary James Mattis focusing on China and Russia as adversaries is actually something to celebrate, because it shifts focus from the post-9/11 policies that damaged the US’ security and reputation.

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