For me the important part is about perspectives. I try to understand where entities and groups of people come from and try to use frame works to understand them and their labeling for themselves and the labeling and frameworks of others on them.

This way I can without trouble understand why some Trots say China isn't AES and yet understand why from the perspective of the US State Department China is AES and how it is altered from the CPC's self description. This is quite important to not end discussions with properly having applied a label to things which has a moralist meaning attached to it, too.

However what does in fact is the case and if you can describe structures and objectify some views is another question, that takes for me is subordinate to the societal struggle taking place in regards to that country (and where I am, what power I have and what I can influence). I also like:

Wir nennen Kommunismus die wirkliche Bewegung, welche den jetzigen Zustand aufhebt

Which means communism is the real movement which changes the current situation. Since that is somewhat in the future I might be wrong with labeling some groups communist. Doesn't matter much though. There are also plenty things besides those true communists you can only asses from future point of views.

Edit To do that you have to still read the theory and understand it somewhat, by discussing it with comrades and academics, else you end up with a discursive liberal geo politics that can't explain anything and misses that your position is bound to you.