Weekly Reflection 11/15

There's news from around the globe this week.  Following our reelection of Obama, China has named Xi Jinping as its new leader, replacing Hu Jintao.  Mr. Hu has played an incredibly defining role in China's growth in the last decade and more.  The increase in economic activity and strength can be largely attributed to his policy.  And with this increased economic activity has come closer bonds with the US.  Interestingly, Xi Jinping was not the pick of Mr. Hu to be his replacement.  It will be interesting to see how their political difference will change China's relationship with the US.  This story can be tied into the politics of the MENA region as well, with a large focus of Mr. Xi's speech regarding corruption within the ruling communist party.  Xi himself was born into a party family and has worked in the system all his life.  This patrimonialization reminds me of both what we have spoken about for Syria, and my groups' study of Algeria.