“Hu, meet Bob Kagan. Bob, meet Hu Jintao.”

Published January 20, 2011 12:41am ET



The list of attendees for tonight’s state dinner has been released. We note that it includes TWS contributing editor, Robert Kagan, author of this week’s cover story arguing for a robust defense budget—in large part to counteract the rise of China.

Could the Obama administration be signaling—in a subtle way its Chinese guests would appreciate—openness to Kagan’s argument?

Here’s hoping.