As Hong Kong is engulfed by the biggest pro-democracy protests in its modern history, hopes rise that people power will win the day and safeguard the city’s unique way of life. But Beijing has other plans.Get 30 days' free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/silenced |Read more from Sophia Yan: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/s/sk-so/sophia-yan/ |Read more from Nicola Smith: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/n/nf-nj/nicola-smith/ |Read more of The Telegraph's coverage of Hong Kong: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/hong-kong/ |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Protests have broken out in China over the zero-Covid policy, over lockdowns, and even over the rule of newly appointed third-term leader Xi Jinping. The government has begun a crackdown, there have been arrests, there have been intimidating interrogations, there have been street closures, and there has been a lot of internet content removed. To go over it all and see what we can make of it, Lawfare editor-in-chief Benjamin Wittes sat down with Sophia Yan, who just left China where she has been The Telegraph’s correspondent for a number of years. They talked about whether these protests might have legs, about what capacity the government has to shut them down, and about whether this could be the beginning of something.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Experts discuss China's hacking campaign, Baltic states' defense measures against Russia, and tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Topics cover Chinese cyber tactics, Baltic defense preparedness, sentiments along Russia's border, and challenges in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.

Kremlin critic Boris Nadezhdin faces challenges in his presidential bid, and Latvian Foreign Minister discusses boosting defense against Russian aggression with Sophia Yan. Zelensky considers a "reset" to replace senior officials, and recent gains and incidents on the front line are discussed. Political and diplomatic developments, warning about frozen Russian assets, and preparations for potential Russian aggression are also covered.

Sophia Yan, pianist for the Lawfare Podcast and Rational Security, is also The Telegraph’s Beijing correspondent—or at least, she was until the other day. She’s produced a new podcast entitled, “How to become a dictator,” about the rise and rule of Xi Jinping and her own struggles as a reporter in Xi’s China. Now Sophia’s in Taiwan after a hasty exit from the country, and she joined Lawfare’s editor-in-chief Benjamin Wittes to discuss the new podcast and her departure from China. Who is Xi Jinping really? How is Xi different from other recent Chinese leaders? Why did Sophia leave China? And did she take her piano with her?Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.