Good to Know: The U.S. commitment to Taiwan Jeremy Wallace - January 10, 2024 U.S.-Taiwan relations are complicated. Here's an explainer.
Human rights in the U.S. and around the world in 2023 Kelebogile Zvobgo and K. Chad Clay - December 18, 2023 An expert explains some big developments in human rights this year.
Why protesters are targeting Xi Jinping for China’s ‘zero covid’ failures Jeremy Wallace - November 30, 2022 Protests across China reveal the depth of anger and frustration over strict government lockdown policies
Taiwanese people will be reassured by Pelosi’s visit, research says Yao-Yuan Yeh, Fang-Yu Chen, Charles K.S. Wu, and Austin Horng-En Wang - August 2, 2022 A high-level visit might boost confidence in U.S. security commitments
Bank customers protested in Henan, China. Who attacked them? Lynette H. Ong - July 14, 2022 Research on ‘contractors for hire’ explains the extraordinary attempt to disperse angry crowds who wanted local banks to return their deposits
How far have human rights in Hong Kong eroded? We measured. Stephen Bagwell, Meridith LaVelle, and K. Chad Clay - June 30, 2022 The national security law imposed in 2020 marked a big change.
Debt ceiling battles may hurt the U.S. dollar Stephen B. Kaplan - October 16, 2021 While China is patiently building up credibility, America is spending it down.
The World Bank had to scrap its popular business report. That says a lot about the politics of numbers. Lukas Linsi - October 15, 2021 Economic statistics are far more ambiguous — and malleable — than most people realize.
One year on, here’s how China’s national security law has changed Hong Kong Maggie Shum - June 30, 2021 The government has used the law to crack down on freedoms of protest, speech and academic research, using the judiciary to maintain social control.
How do you persuade skeptics to get vaccinated? Trust matters more than information. Pauline Jones and Laura Rozek - June 10, 2021 That’s what we found by surveying more than 15 countries in five world regions
Belarus forced down a plane because it couldn’t shut down an app Aliaksandr Herasimenka - May 28, 2021 Telegram became a cornerstone of last summer’s anti-government protests
China’s ‘wolf warrior’ diplomats like to talk tough Yaoyao Dai and Luwei Rose Luqiu - May 11, 2021 We analyzed 20 years of Chinese Foreign Ministry transcripts to track the increase in hostile language
Why do some Muslim-majority countries support China’s crackdown on Muslims? Jonathan Hoffman - May 3, 2021 Western countries have condemned the repression in Xinjiang, but Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt praised China’s efforts to restore ‘safety and security’
China’s backlash against Western brands may be short-lived Kecheng Fang - April 21, 2021 Not everyone in the Chinese government wants to see H&M and other foreign companies canceled
Chinese investment in Africa involves more than megaprojects. Private enterprises also are making their mark. Yoon Jung Park - April 16, 2021 We looked at the impact of private Chinese investments in seven countries
China and Russia announced a joint pledge to push back against dollar hegemony Carla Norrlof - April 8, 2021 Controlling the world’s reserve currency gives the U.S. government a powerful lever to police geopolitical behavior
Western nations sanctioned China. Chinese media made the most of the criticism over Xinjiang. Jamie Gruffydd-Jones - March 31, 2021 Beijing has long capitalized on foreign pressure on human rights
The pandemic has worsened Africa’s debt crisis. China and other countries are stepping in. Yufan Huang, Kevin Acker, and Deborah Bräutigam - February 25, 2021 Chinese banks have been restructuring African debt for the past two decades
U.S. policymakers often criticize Chinese investment in Africa. The research tells a more complicated story. Yoon Jung Park and Lina Benabdallah - February 18, 2021 This new series explores what’s really going on in debt relief, infrastructure and other critical issues across the continent
China’s leaders say that Biden offers a ‘new window of hope.’ Their experts are more skeptical. Kacie Miura and Jessica Chen Weiss - January 21, 2021 Beijing is likely to seek short-term stability as it anticipates a long-term advantage
Putin’s arrest of opposition leader Alexei Navalny is a sign of weakness, not strength Samuel Greene - January 18, 2021 Don’t expect mass street protests
In Hong Kong, dozens of arrests for pro-democracy activities will have a chilling effect Maggie Shum - January 12, 2021 4 things to know about Hong Kong’s political future.
Biden will inherit Trump’s trade war with China. What do Americans really think about tariffs? Richard Clark and Don Casler - December 7, 2020 New research suggests that free trade may be far more popular than many politicians want to believe.
Jacinda Ardern’s pandemic leadership will probably win her a second term in New Zealand Nina Hall - October 16, 2020 But the next government won’t find it easy to balance relations with the U.S. and China.
The Trump administration sanctioned China for detaining 1 million Uighurs. Here’s what Americans think. Nazita Lajevardi and John Kuk - September 20, 2020 They approve of sanctions but don’t want a war
There’s more to Belarus’s ‘Telegram Revolution’ than a cellphone app Tetyana Lokot, Olga Onuch, Mariëlle Wijermars, and Aliaksandr Herasimenka - September 10, 2020 New surveys show protesters had to be creative to share information.
What the new ‘Mulan’ movie gets right about women in combat Jessica Trisko Darden - September 10, 2020 Women can be bad guys, too.
The State Department says the Chinese Communist Party controls Chinese companies. It’s not that simple. Meg Rithmire - September 7, 2020 State-funded Chinese firms at times actually subvert Beijing’s interests.
The State Department labeled China’s Confucius programs a bad influence on U.S. students. What’s the story? Naima Green-Riley - August 24, 2020 Concerns over the ideological threat of these programs may be overblown
In Portland and beyond, city and national leaders respond very differently to protests. This explains why. Thomas Ogorzalek - July 26, 2020 City leaders want to keep their denser geographies peaceful and productive. Rural and national leaders, not so much.
The U.S. has dialed up the rhetoric on Beijing’s claims in the South China Sea Todd H. Hall - July 24, 2020 The verbal escalation of this dispute may make it harder to find offramps
Beijing increasingly relies on economic coercion to reach its diplomatic goals Gloria Xiong - July 23, 2020 Here’s why this type of retaliation may turn out to be more symbolic than powerful
Four things to know about the U.S. decision to close the Chinese consulate in Houston Jessica Chen Weiss and Elizabeth N. Saunders - July 22, 2020 Trump administration’s latest move could make it harder to repair the U.S.-China rift
Last week’s Twitter hack could have been much, much worse Heather Williams - July 21, 2020 Governments need to prepare for hackers trying to start a war — leading to escalation by tweet
Trump-era racist rhetoric makes Chinese students in the U.S. less supportive of democracy Yiqing Xu and Jennifer Pan - July 17, 2020 Here’s what our research found.
How China’s new national security law will hobble Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement Maggie Shum - July 13, 2020 Protesters and candidates face new risks
Do U.S. policing programs help boost the militarization of foreign police forces? Benjamin Kenzer - July 10, 2020 Joint police/military training is a feature of some U.S.-funded programs.
Trump’s decision to pull U.S. out of WHO will boost China’s influence Yanzhong Huang - June 22, 2020 The organization will probably look to Beijing for funding and leadership support
Why are China and India skirmishing at their border? Here’s 4 things to know. M. Taylor Fravel - June 2, 2020 India is close to completing a major upgrade of border roads
What’s in store for Hong Kong? Look at Tibet. Allen Carlson - June 1, 2020 Here’s how Beijing’s promises of autonomy played out on the rooftop of the world
Nationalism in China is running high. Here’s how Beijing reins it in. Kai Quek - June 1, 2020 A new study shows Chinese citizens value the image of a peaceful China.
Developing countries have been busy forging trade agreements — with one another Nita Rudra and Daniela Donno - May 26, 2020 Supply chains in a post-pandemic world might revolve far less around China
China’s new national security law for Hong Kong will erode Hong Kong’s autonomy Victoria Hui and Michael C. Davis - May 26, 2020 Here’s what you need to know
Missouri just broke the pandemic’s moratorium on executions Austin Sarat - May 21, 2020 Death penalty supporters will likely decry the delay, while opponents point to questionable evidence that the execution was warranted
Which kinds of democracies respond more effectively to a pandemic? Joel Selway - May 19, 2020 When citizens vote for parties rather than individuals, countries gain better health systems
Economics, not politics, helps explain why coronavirus and other diseases started in China Zeke Emanuel and Scott Moore - May 1, 2020 Here’s what global pandemic hotspots may have in common.
Coronavirus may have emptied Hong Kong’s streets, but the pro-democracy protests continue Maggie Shum - April 22, 2020 As the government cracks down on dissent, protests have moved into the courts
Hong Kong’s protests looked a lot like Shanghai anti-colonial protests a century ago Mark W. Frazier - April 14, 2020 This time, the protests were against a new imperial power: China.
The coronavirus is expanding the surveillance state. How will this play out? Ben Power - March 27, 2020 Improvised tech solutions today may be permanent policies tomorrow.
Why China and the U.S. can’t cooperate to fight coronavirus Ali Wyne - March 26, 2020 These new rifts have begun to emerge
China already leads 4 of the 15 U.N. specialized agencies — and is aiming for a 5th Shing-Hon Lam and Courtney J. Fung - March 3, 2020 Beijing is campaigning to lead the global intellectual property agency
Mike Pompeo criticized China for not respecting its neighbors’ territorial integrity. What’s the story? M. Taylor Fravel - February 21, 2020 Here’s how Beijing has resolved territorial disputes
Taiwan’s first female president easily won reelection. Are Asian women taking note? Shan-Jan Liu - February 10, 2020 This election was about more than Taiwan’s uneasy relations with China
Is China ready for this major global health challenge? Elanah Uretsky - January 27, 2020 Beijing invested heavily in public health around the world — but left troubling gaps at home
China’s coronavirus outbreak has prompted some travel restrictions. That could backfire. Catherine Z. Worsnop - January 24, 2020 Countries don’t always follow WHO guidelines, and that’s a problem
What Taiwan’s election says about Beijing’s Taiwan policy Shelley Rigger - January 22, 2020 It’s more complicated than it seems
India is cracking down on university protests. Here’s what you need to know. Shubha Kamala Prasad - January 9, 2020 The rising opposition to the government’s tough response may bring out even larger crowds.
Will a signed trade deal ease U.S.-China tensions? Probably not. Donglin Han - January 2, 2020 White House tweets and comments also shape how Chinese people view the United States.
Did China actually try to install a spy in Australia’s Parliament? The many murky details make it hard to know. Andrew Chubb - December 24, 2019 Sensational reporting isn’t helping the public discussion on security concerns.
Mike Bloomberg said China isn’t a dictatorship. Is he right? Dimitar Gueorguiev - December 3, 2019 The Communist Party does listen to the people — sometimes
Don’t want to discuss Trump or impeachment at Thanksgiving? Try this instead. Vanessa Lide and E.J. Graff - November 26, 2019 Dazzle (or distract) the table with what else has been happening while they weren’t looking.
Hong Kong citizens just voted for more democracy. What happens now? Victoria Hui - November 26, 2019 These local election results won’t keep protesters out of the streets.
In Hong Kong, Beijing’s tough talk could spark a constitutional crisis Michael C. Davis - November 20, 2019 The rule of law is at the heart of the protests
Why Xi Jinping’s Xinjiang policy is a major change in China’s ethnic politics David R. Stroup - November 19, 2019 Beijing’s “Sinicization” campaign extends well beyond Xinjiang.
This may be the largest wave of nonviolent mass movements in world history. What comes next? Zoe Marks, Tore Wig, Sirianne Dahlum, Sooyeon Kang, Erica Chenoweth, and Christopher Wiley Shay - November 14, 2019 Social media has made mass protests easier to organize — but, perhaps paradoxically, harder to resolve.
Hong Kong’s District Council elections take place on Nov. 24. Or not. Maggie Shum - November 14, 2019 Here’s what’s so special about this local election
Is TikTok a threat to national security? Geoffrey Gertz - November 11, 2019 Why the U.S. government is cracking down on Chinese tech firms
It’s not easy to spot disinformation on Twitter. Here’s what we learned from 8 political ‘astroturfing’ campaigns. Sebastian Stier, JungHwan Yang, Franziska Keller, and David Schoch - October 27, 2019 Hint: Don’t look for an account that tweets like a bot.
Think celebrities get punished for being political? In fact, they get retweeted. Joshua Tucker, Jonathan Nagler, Jan Zilinsky, and Cristian Vaccari - October 27, 2019 Michael Jordan’s supposed dictum — “Republicans buy sneakers, too” — may be outdated.
We checked 100 years of protests in 150 countries. Here’s what we learned about the working class and democracy. Tore Wig, Sirianne Dahlum, and Carl Knutsen - October 24, 2019 The success of mass protests depends on who is doing the protesting.
These 3 factors explain why the NBA and other companies struggle to push back against Chinese censorship Margaret Roberts and Jennifer Pan - October 16, 2019 But banning the NBA also poses a risk to Beijing.
China’s conflict with the NBA shows why companies can’t force social change by themselves John E. Katsos, Jason Miklian, and Benedicte Bull - October 13, 2019 A tweet landed a global brand in a clash of politics and cultural demands
U.S.-North Korea talks just broke down. Here’s what might happen next. Patricia M. Kim - October 10, 2019 Does Pyongyang have a playbook for the next few months?
Is China’s influence at the United Nations all it’s cracked up to be? Courtney J. Fung - October 6, 2019 Here are five things to know
The Hong Kong protests have been going on for months. What explains this sustained action? Daniel Mattingly - September 30, 2019 Here’s how leaderless protests get people out on the streets.
Why Taiwan is watching Hong Kong very closely Shelley Rigger - September 3, 2019 How ‘one country, two systems’ plays out in Hong Kong could factor into Taiwan’s 2020 elections.
China has reasons to keep fighting a trade war Thomas Gift - September 3, 2019 How a protracted tariff feud actually benefits Beijing.
What’s happening in Hong Kong after nearly three months of protests? Ching Kwan Lee - August 21, 2019 In this tech-savvy city, it’s not easy for authorities to spin the political crisis.
Why China’s wealthy elites have so much at stake in Hong Kong Andrea Binder - August 20, 2019 The semiautonomous territory attracts a lot of China’s private wealth, it turns out.
What is China’s propaganda machine saying about the Hong Kong protests? Kecheng Fang - August 18, 2019 Beijing blames foreign forces for inciting ‘riots.’ Here’s why that makes sense in China.
Hong Kong waits for Beijing’s next move. Here’s what the experts say. Jessica Weiss - August 15, 2019 Why a military intervention could be costly on many fronts
In Hong Kong, what happens now that Beijing has called the protests a ‘color revolution’? Victoria Hui and Michael C. Davis - August 10, 2019 The official rhetoric is escalating. Here’s what that means.
In Hong Kong, are ‘thugs for hire’ behind the attacks on protesters? Here’s what we know about these groups. Lynette H. Ong - July 23, 2019 This type of violence could easily backfire.
Does public support for democracy defend a country from autocrats? Not necessarily. Christopher Claassen - July 16, 2019 Here’s what decades of survey data from 151 countries can tell us.
Adam Smith makes a case for higher tariffs — but it doesn’t work for Trump’s trade policy Brianne Wolf - July 11, 2019 The father of classical economics, defends tariffs, but only when they force others to agree to free trade
How fears of ‘mainlandization’ fuel Hong Kong’s mass protests Nathan Kar Ming Chan, Lev Nachman, and Chit Wai John Mok - July 2, 2019 The city turns out to protest when China attempts to exert influence.
Why Hong Kong has become a city of protests Yongshun Cai - July 1, 2019 The latest protests differ from earlier ones in significant ways.
Why are there massive protests in Hong Kong? Vanessa Lide - June 30, 2019 Catch up on Hong Kong’s political battles with Beijing.
What will Taiwan’s same-sex marriages mean in the rest of Asia? Joseph O'Mahoney and Enze Han - May 24, 2019 It’s likely to inspire activists, but other legislatures have a long way to go.
Debate over Hong Kong’s proposed extradition law devolves into a scuffle in the legislative council Michael C. Davis - May 11, 2019 This law could open the door to extradition to China, and that’s the problem.
Why China’s May Fourth celebrations also bring new concerns for Beijing. James Carter - May 3, 2019 100 years ago, students protesters filled Tiananmen Square.
There’s a new chapter in Hong Kong’s struggle for democracy and autonomy Victoria Hui - May 2, 2019 What happened to the Umbrella Movement leaders? And what is Beijing trying to do?
Why U.S. universities are shutting down China-funded Confucius Institutes Samuel Brazys and Alexander Dukalskis - January 11, 2019 [caption id="attachment_82470" align="aligncenter" width="960"] In January 2011, Chinese President Hu
Three big takeaways from Xi Jinping’s 2019 Taiwan speech Jie Dalei - January 10, 2019 Xi voiced a new sense of urgency for unification — but no timetable.
There’s a hidden cost in Trump’s new trade agreement with Canada and Mexico Cristina Bodea, Andrew Kerner, and Fangjin Ye - January 2, 2019 The Trump administration recently renegotiated NAFTA, and Donald Trump is
The U.S. often takes hostages in trade fights. They usually aren’t live human beings Henry Farrell - December 12, 2018 [caption id="attachment_81513" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supporters hold signs and Chinese flags
A Chinese scientist says he edited babies’ genes. What are the rights of the genetically modified child? Eileen Botting - December 6, 2018 [caption id="attachment_81160" align="aligncenter" width="960"] He Jiankui, a Chinese researcher, spoke
Xi Jinping is visiting Africa this week. Here’s why China is such a popular development partner. Deborah Bräutigam - July 24, 2018 [caption id="attachment_76016" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Well-wishers holding flags wait for the
Trump’s tariffs aren’t the biggest trade problem. Will China step up to protect the WTO? Karen Alter - June 18, 2018 [caption id="attachment_74603" align="aligncenter" width="960"] MG cars produced by SAIC Motor
China and Japan now seem on friendlier terms. But is this a real bilateral thaw? Jiun Bang - May 24, 2018 [caption id="attachment_73724" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A Japanese Coast Guard patrol shoots water over