When China’s Belt and Road Initiative was formally launched in 2013, it was touted as a world-spanning push to replicate the economic and political impact of the Silk Road. As it made investments across the world - including in the port of Piraeus during the depths of the financial crisis - Western capitals sought to counter Beijing’s growing influence. While it appears that the BRI is in retreat today, there are still risks. Josh Birenbaum, the deputy director of the Center on Economic and Financial Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins Thanos Davelis to look at the BRI today, why Europe and Washington should still be concerned about China, and what tools are available to counter Beijing - from the DFC to the proposed IMEC corridor. 

You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:

China’s Belt and Road Initiative is bringing new risks to Europe

Tightening the Belt or End of the Road? China’s BRI at 10

Albania: Ethnic Greek mayor sentenced to two years for vote buying

Beleri: ‘It was a sham trial’

Rama burns bridges with Beleri conviction

Von der Leyen expected in Cyprus to discuss sea corridor

Ursula von der Leyen in Cyprus for humanitarian corridor talks