Part 2/10:
She explains that many of the officials purged were individuals who Xi had appointed to replace those previously removed. This pattern suggests internal power struggles or shifts within the leadership structure. Pletka points out that authoritarian regimes, such as China’s, often operate under layers of fear and distrust. She recalls the film The Death of Stalin to illustrate how fear-driven environments suppress truthful communication, leading to poor decision-making—especially in matters of national security such as Taiwan, the South China Sea, support for Russia, and North Korea.