1 outlet

What is the ‘Thucydides trap’ Xi warned Trump about? Lessons from an ancient war between Athens and Sparta

What did Thucydides really say on this? And what’s Athens and Sparta got to do with the current state of US-China relations?

First seen · 4:10 AM UTCMay 16, 2026

How it's being covered

Methodology →

LeftCenterRight

0Left · 0%0Center-Left · 0%1Center · 100%0Center-Right · 0%0Right · 0%

Covering this story

Sorted left → right

The Conversation
CenterThe Conversation Media Group
What is the ‘Thucydides trap’ Xi warned Trump about? Lessons from an ancient war between Athens and SpartaWhat did Thucydides really say on this? And what’s Athens and Sparta got to do with the current state of US-China relations?
4:10 AM UTC

Also happening today

All today →

Culture

Vyshyvanka Day

Third Thursday of May. Ukrainians wear traditional embroidered shirts — each region has its own colors and stitches. Started in 2006 by a Chernivtsi student.

Open →

Also on this date in history

All →

2025

A devastating EF4 tornado kills nineteen people in Southeast Kentucky, hitting the towns of Somerset and London.

Milestone

2014

Twelve people are killed in two explosions in the Gikomba market area of Nairobi, Kenya.

Milestone

2011

STS-134 (ISS assembly flight ULF6), launched from the Kennedy Space Center on the 25th and final flight for Space Shuttle Endeavour.

Milestone