Of China, the USA, and Tariffs

Here's a short and sweet take on the tariff situation between these two superpowers by Paul Renaud, a "trusted independent adviser to CxOs and boards in Canada, the UK, and the US. (Source: LinkedIn.) I especially like the graphic that puts things in perspective. I've been hammering away at the blind spot of US nationalism, … Continue reading Of China, the USA, and Tariffs

The Larger Shift

Photo from El Confidencial Below is a post by Dr. Morris Berman a US historian and social critic whom I've known for many years. He points out the obvious when referring to "the tectonic shift from West to East," which is why I use the hashtag #Asian Century often and with confidence. (I've lived in … Continue reading The Larger Shift

Sorry, Vietnam is NOT Going to Be the “Next China”

By Eric Olander, Editor-in-Chief of The China-Global South Project (Source: LinkedIn) December 17, 2024 There is a delusion circulating today in many parts of the U.S. policymaking community that Vietnam is going to emerge as the “next China.” Former United States National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien is the latest high-profile pundit to call for Vietnam … Continue reading Sorry, Vietnam is NOT Going to Be the “Next China”

Top 10 Overseas Study Destinations for Young Vietnamese

Summer 2024 Update Source: Chào Hanoi These countries host 93% of all Vietnamese studying abroad with 64% in Asia based on an estimated total of 275,000. Australia is currently the leading English-speaking destination, a place it frequently trades with the US. I occasionally see reports with outdated statistics in the Vietnamese and English language media. For … Continue reading Top 10 Overseas Study Destinations for Young Vietnamese

The Normalization of Environmental Pollution

Credit: MAA On a recent trip to Móng Cái in northern Viet Nam on the Chinese border, I had the chance to spend some time at a nearby beach. Above and below are photos of some of the items that were either left there by tourists or that washed up, e.g., country of origin, China, … Continue reading The Normalization of Environmental Pollution

Pentagon campaign to recruit Vietnam as military ally against China exposed delusions of US war strategy

After convincing itself Vietnam would grant it access for missile bases against China, the Pentagon got a hard dose of reality. Courtesy of The Grayzone When the Pentagon began gearing up for a future war with China in 2018, Defense Department officials quickly realized that they needed access to Vietnamese territory for troops armed with … Continue reading Pentagon campaign to recruit Vietnam as military ally against China exposed delusions of US war strategy

Chinese Missile Base Near Viet Nam’s Border? (Say It Ain’t So!)

This story is being covered by the Vietnamese and English language media in Viet Nam. The only difference is that the Vietnamese reports I've seen don't include any satellite photos. This alleged Chinese surface-to-air missile base is just 20 km (12 miles) from the border. Below are two photos. The first is from the linked … Continue reading Chinese Missile Base Near Viet Nam’s Border? (Say It Ain’t So!)

“Winning the Great Power Education: Revamping the U.S. Approach to Education Exchange”

I learned about this Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) commentary from a colleague's LinkedIn post. Once I saw the source, CSIS, a quasi-USG, pro-US American NGO based in Washington, D.C., I knew exactly what "Great Power Education" referred to. It's all about winning the "hearts and minds of the next generation of global … Continue reading “Winning the Great Power Education: Revamping the U.S. Approach to Education Exchange”

Twice a Loser, Twice a Traitor

Protesters seen all over Capitol building where pro-Trump supporters riot and breached the Capitol in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021. Rioters broke windows and breached the Capitol building in an attempt to overthrow the results of the 2020 election. Police used buttons and tear gas grenades to eventually disperse the crowd. Rioters used metal … Continue reading Twice a Loser, Twice a Traitor

“A Thief in the Night, But Not Too Smart”

Courtesy of Mango Press Bill Hayton aka "Virgin White," a one-time BBC journalist who was essentially kicked out of Viet Nam in March 2007, strikes again, this time with a book about China entitled The Invention of China. I stumbled upon this article because one word, dubious, linked to one of my blog posts, Anti-Vietnam … Continue reading “A Thief in the Night, But Not Too Smart”