Welcome back to The Restricted Handling Podcast — today’s episode, “RH 9.21.25 | China Parade, Nukes, Cyber, Tariffs, Espionage”, dives into one of the most loaded weeks we’ve seen in global affairs in years. From Beijing’s extravagant military parade to a jaw-dropping Chinese cyberattack that may have touched nearly every American, this episode has it all: power plays, political theater, and a little bit of hot-mic immortality talk between Putin and Xi. Yeah, you read that right.

We kick things off in Tiananmen Square, where Xi Jinping took center stage with Vladimir Putin on one side and Kim Jong Un on the other. It wasn’t just about commemorating history — this was a spectacle meant to show the world that China is positioning itself as the center of gravity in a new, eastern-led order. The optics were brutal for Washington: hypersonic missiles, naval drones, nuclear-capable ICBMs, and even cyber operators marching in formation. It was Xi’s way of saying, “The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable.”

But Beijing wasn’t just showing off offensive firepower. They rolled out a homegrown missile defense system designed to rival America’s $175 billion “Golden Dome.” Six different interceptors, spanning everything from cruise missiles to midcourse ballistic threats, were paraded in front of cheering crowds. Whether the systems actually work in combat is anyone’s guess — but the symbolism was clear: China wants the world to know it can defend as well as strike.

Meanwhile, in Washington, Donald Trump couldn’t resist commenting on the parade. First he downplayed it, then he praised it, then he accused Xi, Putin, and Kim of conspiring against the U.S. His tariffs, especially the 50% levy on Indian imports, also made a cameo this week, driving Xi and Modi into friendlier optics alongside Putin. Whether that “thaw” lasts or not, it complicates America’s effort to pull India closer.

And then came the cyberbombshell. The Chinese state-sponsored group “Salt Typhoon” was revealed to have hacked into telecoms and infrastructure across 80+ countries — and possibly scooped up data on virtually every American. Investigators say the attackers even compromised phones used by Trump and JD Vance during last year’s campaign. This wasn’t some quick hit. It was patient, sophisticated, and global.

We also touch on China’s Ministry of State Security exposing spy recruitment tactics targeting Chinese students and officials, warning the public about romance traps, “easy money” jobs, and intimidation schemes. And, for the surreal cherry on top, Putin and Xi were caught on a hot mic musing about organ transplants and living to 150.

This episode blends the serious with the strange, the strategic with the symbolic. If you want to understand how China is flexing its muscles — from missiles to malware — while cozying up with Russia and North Korea, this one’s for you.

Tune in to The Restricted Handling Podcast.