China's National Audit Office report reveals China's risky practices and shows Beijing may not be able to manage its local government debt crisis.

The middle class is crucial to Chinese economic growth, but it could threaten that growth if its mounting financial burdens become overwhelming.

Growing financial troubles among small- and medium-sized businesses pose an immediate challenge to China's tightening economic policy, and reveal a fundamental challenge to its economic model.

New economic numbers point to China's weakening trade balance, high inflation and rising social unrest.

This is the sixth in a series of monographs on the geopolitics of countries influential in world affairs.

Israel has existed in three different manifestations.

China recorded its largest deficit in February since 2004. Though nothing suggests China is inevitably on the path toward consecutive deficits, such a development would be quite significant.

China has ambitious plans to free itself from its dependence on foreign sources of iron ore. Even so, it is not likely to escape this dependence any time soon.

Beijing is attempting to tighten its credit policy by forcing banks to put all loans back on the books.

Statistics about China's economic performance in 2010 reveal the economic policy challenges Beijing will face in 2011. (With STRATFOR graphics)