What is going on in the Mediterranean must be viewed through a much broader lens. Around the world, from southern Africa to South America, China is gaining control of an increasing number of ports.

The ‘Deep State’ is not some murky entity, hiding in the shadows; it is on full display, a former intelligence officer insists.

There is a dark fascination with incels in our culture, but narratives surrounding these disenfranchised young men fluctuate between the sensationalist and the downright stupid.

Could the women’s desire to visit The Gambia have anything to do with the fact that many young men, desperate and unable to find decent employment, turn to sex tourism to make a living?

Beijing knows that it will pay little, if any, price for its meddling. Until this changes, and until countries like the United States and Germany combat this more effectively, then we should expect Chinese influence to grow, not diminish.