Zelenskyy may indeed be over-rated, but his refusal to flee the country & his highly visible displays of empathy with his citizens & soldiers are exactly what his beleaguered nation needs to see from its leader. I particularly like that he dresses in ordinary khaki clothing, but there isn't an insignia of rank, or a medal to be seen anywhere on him. Certainly there's a very clever marketing strategy at work, but the attempts on his life are very real

The ex-diplomat's point about Australia being hung out to dry if China goes on the front foot is kind of supported by the US & NATO's refusal to put their boots on the ground in Ukraine - hence the 'war by proxy' - sending arms & supplies but not troops. If Australia is invaded by a major power like China, it may well be that the rest of the world hedges its bets & offers us all support, but no numbers, just in case the conflict becomes calamitously global

For there to be a Civil War in China, there needs to be a credible opposing force... & I haven't seen one yet... unless they're hiding underground & are as hard to find as Zelenskyy has been