Did the US Snatching Maduro Prove China Is a Paper Tiger?

U.S. forces arrested Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. China has lodged a protest but is incapable of a military response. Image composite from People’s Liberation Army and Getty Images.

China’s response to the U.S. military operation in Venezuela, which resulted in the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro, exposed fundamental weaknesses in its ability to project power beyond its immediate region.

Beijing called the operation “deeply shocking” and a “serious violation of international law,” demanded Maduro’s immediate release...