coronavirus

“Why Democracies Do Better at Surviving Pandemics”

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The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the debate over whether authoritarian states are gaining the upper hand across the world. In contrast, democracies are showing capacity for innovation and adaptation. Seriously? When I first saw the title, I thought it was satire. It's downright Orwellian along the lines of war is peace and freedom is slavery. … Continue reading “Why Democracies Do Better at Surviving Pandemics”

The “Rotten Apple” at JHU

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Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:3 Tweet first, ask questions and discover the truth of the matter later, ideally. As I posted on LinkedIn about this Tweet from 10 June, "Pure, unadulterated bullshit. Steve Hanke, … Continue reading The “Rotten Apple” at JHU

Consolidation expected after Covid-19 agency business slump

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This is a 29.5.20 PIE News article for which I was interviewed. Below are my answers in their entirety. What role will agents play in the recovery from Covid-19? Obviously, because international travel will be limited for quite some time, institutions that partner with education agents will have to rely on them now more than … Continue reading Consolidation expected after Covid-19 agency business slump

Vietnam Criticized for Its First-Round Victory Over COVID-19

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Ranking the global impact of the coronavirus pandemic, country by country (21.5.20, Politico) Here's the essay-length version of this 15.5.20 blog post. Below are the first three paragraphs to whet your appetite for more (or not): You can’t please everyone, especially those who do their utmost to find fault with a country that has distinguished … Continue reading Vietnam Criticized for Its First-Round Victory Over COVID-19

Rappler Talk Investigative: Guy Thwaites on Vietnam’s effective strategy against coronavirus

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https://youtu.be/2NGVPeyA2fo Here's an excellent 18-minute interview with Dr. Guy Thwaites, Director of the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit and Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme in Viet Nam; Professor of Infectious Diseases, University of Oxford; Honorary Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation trust; Honorary Professor, MRC Clinical Trial … Continue reading Rappler Talk Investigative: Guy Thwaites on Vietnam’s effective strategy against coronavirus

“Vietnam’s Coronavirus Success Is Built on Repression” Say What?!?

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An aging US journalist currently based in Hanoi (let's call him PM) probably thought he was being collegial by posting this hatchet job on the Vietnam Studies Group (VSG) listserv. For the uninitiated, which would be 99.9% of you, said listserv provides "resources and information for scholarly research, study, and teaching about Vietnam." (The main … Continue reading “Vietnam’s Coronavirus Success Is Built on Repression” Say What?!?

Criticism of the US as Anti-American?

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I rarely respond to Facebook or LinkedIn comments. My view is that whatever I have to say of substance I'll say in a blog post, essay, or interview. There are times, however, when I'm willing to make an exception. This comment by "TS" was one of them. It was in response to an Atlantic article … Continue reading Criticism of the US as Anti-American?

View From Vietnam: COVID-19 Reminds the World That Trump Has No Clothes

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Emperor Trump has no clothes (David Horsey/LA Times) Here's my latest essay for CounterPunch about Trump and COVID-19. As I mention in passing, The coronavirus lays bare on an almost daily basis the litany of faults and weaknesses of Donald Trump and the country he was elected to lead. I focus on the former; it's … Continue reading View From Vietnam: COVID-19 Reminds the World That Trump Has No Clothes