James Bennett, the insightful author of the Lexington column for The Economist, joins to dissect the recent Chinese balloon incident that has strained U.S.-China relations. He analyzes the contrasting narratives from both nations and the political fallout for the Biden administration. The conversation also explores the vibrant life in Mumbai's Chor Bazaar, reflecting on the challenges of informal labor and urban development. Lastly, Bennett touches on the troubling rise in obesity rates in France, debunking the idealized image of French femininity.