Biden's Europe trip to show strengthened alliance against Russia

What do you expect to come from Biden's trip to Europe? Why was Putin critic, Alexei Navalny, sentenced to nine more years in prison? Will China's worst passenger jet crash in years derail President Xi's re-election? Ian Bremmer shares his insights on global politics this week on World In :60.

First, what do I expect to come from Biden's trip to Europe?

I expect to see a hell of a lot of unity from all of the Europeans. He's going to Poland. Of coursethe Polish government has... they've got 2 million refugees already from Ukraine sitting in Poland. And they're also among the most assertive in terms of more sanctions against the Russians. Particularly like cutting off energy, for example. I think Biden's going to try to bridge that up with the Europeans and wants to be seen as a strong ally that's leading this process. I expect it's going to be one of his better trips so far. There's no question, because there is so much alignment on the Russia issue.

Why was Putin critic, Alexei Navalny, sentenced to nine more years in prison?

I guess I'm surprised it wasn't longer, frankly. I mean, he is sitting in a penal camp outside of Moscow. The Russian government is already getting hit left, right, and center for Ukraine. Not a lot of people are talking about Navalny, though I am right now. This has been the leading opposition member in Russia, who very courageously got on a plane and flew back to Russia, knowing he was clearly going to be arrested and probably tortured. And the Russians just don't care. It is impunity. That's what we're seeing from the Russians. We're going to see from the Russians and there's very little to be done for Navalny right now, except to talk about him and think about him, because of what he's doing for the Russian people and for all of us really.

Will China's worst passenger jet crash in years derail President Xi's re-election?

Who writes this stuff. It's not like people are voting for President Xi. I mean, it's a dictatorship. And he does have strong support from the population. But leaving that aside, the big challenges for Xi Jinping right now are more about zero-Covid and whether or not his policy is going to be a serious, serious disruption for the average people on the ground in China. As well as just how badly his friendship with President Putin is likely to play out and will that lead to backlash against China. My friend, Kevin Rudd, the former Australian prime minister, and more importantly, one of the top China watchers out there, actually thinks that if the Russia issue goes badly, that Xi Jinping could be close to a coin flip for getting his third term. I was shocked. I mean, I think there's a risk, but I was surprised he thought it was that high. Something to be watching going forward.