Why Read: This week's discussion comes in an unusual two-part format: our effort to look back using two different views, each both general and important.

First, major patterns made or broken - something our members know can lead to accurate predictions. Then, in "Upgrades," we take a close look at China's current global and self-chosen role as economic parasite, a term we hope will gain wider acceptance as a result, because  - as you'll see - it is now clearly the most accurate.

- mra

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Patterns Made and Broken in 2025

SNS members know the lens we bring to the study of tech driving the world economy is pattern-based. We try to be equally aware of both consistent, repeated patterns and when those patterns are broken; in both cases, we learn something others often have missed, and we share these with you.

From that perspective, we thought you would enjoy a review of some of the more notable examples from 2025, peppered with our usual SNS Quizzes as a sub-form of conveying more detail - and a little humor.

Here, then, are a few of the more interesting patterns made or broken among last year's trends and event:

I. The Witkoff Dossier

The increasing appearance of White House aide Steve Witkoff as the key negotiator in the Ukraine war with Russia, has been well noted everywhere. Most recently, he has been shuttling to Russia and Florida, with Jared Kushner and others, in an effort to create the final treaty document between these countries.

But who is this person, really, and why is he in this position? It's time for our first SNS Quiz.

Q: Who in the White House shares these attributes?

a) Longtime golf buddy with someone else of power in the White House

b) Previously a real-estate developer in New York City

c) Appears to have received funding from top oligarchs or other Russian sources

d) Has friends among the Russian oligarchs and other elites and is on good terms with Vladimir Putin, whom he also considers a friend

e) Is linked to reports of condo deals in Florida with one or more Russian oligarchs

f) Provided financing by a bank with numerous accusations and been involved in various money-laundering scandals and regulatory issues

g) Has just created a treaty proposal for ending Russia's war on Ukraine which many suggest was written by Putin's team, given its apparent one-sidedness

A:

a) Secretary of State Marco Rubio, obviously, since this is his job

b) Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, who has done many jobs like this in the Middle East

c) The president himself, since only he could do this job right

d) Steve Witkoff, the president's golfing buddy and crypto partner

You know the answer already.

II. Huang: 10, Trump: 0

President Trump's record during his prior term and the beginning of this term was one of recognizing the China threat in an all-fronts war against the West more clearly than any other past president. More important, he was willing to take strong action, including tariffs of 145%, and expanded Entities List members, blocking dual-use investments in China and curtailing the sale of Nvidia high-end AI chips.

And then, he reversed on almost everything, faced with China's threat to cut off shipments of rare earth metals, and with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's intense lobbying efforts to restore what looked like about 25% of his gross sales, via China.

Q: Who came out the winner in this series of flip-flops, a clear pattern broken?

A:

a) China's AI companies

b) Huang and Nvidia

c) China's military

d) The Democrats

e) All of the above

You know the answer to this one, too.