Laura Luehrmann
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lauraluehrmann.bsky.social
Laura Luehrmann
@lauraluehrmann.bsky.social

Professor of Political Science and Chair, School of Social Sciences and International Studies, Wright State University (Dayton, OH). Modern Chinese politics and foreign policy, social movements, political ideologies.
Ph.D., Ohio State University
#FirstGen .. more

Political science 60%
Sociology 13%
there is something quite close to unanimity among serious scholars on this point, but the Washington Post omits that in favor of highlighting one such scholar's donations to Democratic candidates

Reposted by Laura Luehrmann

Only one member of the broadcaster’s vaunted Uyghur language service remains.
One of the happiest updates I’ve written since I started following this story. 12 students back in status and maybe more to come. Across the country, students are saying their SEVIS is back.

www.dailycal.org/news/campus/...
12 UC Berkeley students' visas restored by ICE in nationwide reversal
At UC Berkeley, 12 students have had their status restored today after 23 were terminated since April 4.
www.dailycal.org

Important break with past practice, especially as the Holy See is one of only 12 States to recognize Taiwan (and the only European power to do so).
Disappointing that Taiwan's president would be excluded from this world event when one of his predecessors was permitted to attend this same pope's investiture and another attended John Paul the II's funeral. Taiwan's isolation is deepening. China wants to disappear Taiwan to the same fate as Tibet.
Taiwan president won’t attend Pope Francis’s funeral.

Taipei has had good reason to worry about Vatican’s interactions with China, which, ironically, unfolded amid increasing restrictions on religious freedom in the country.

Thanks @heldavidson.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

Reposted by Laura Luehrmann

China has returned two Boeing jets, each valued at $55 million. With $69 million in tariffs applied, the cost per plane increased to $124 million. Orders for an additional 130 jets have been indefinitely suspended.

Reposted by Laura Luehrmann

Disappointing that Taiwan's president would be excluded from this world event when one of his predecessors was permitted to attend this same pope's investiture and another attended John Paul the II's funeral. Taiwan's isolation is deepening. China wants to disappear Taiwan to the same fate as Tibet.
Taiwan president won’t attend Pope Francis’s funeral.

Taipei has had good reason to worry about Vatican’s interactions with China, which, ironically, unfolded amid increasing restrictions on religious freedom in the country.

Thanks @heldavidson.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Taiwan president will not attend Pope Francis’s funeral
Taiwan to send former vice-president despite Vatican being one of country’s few diplomatic allies
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Laura Luehrmann

Trump negotiates with himself over China tariffs in public as Beijing sits and watches. One reason we're seeing this unfold: Trump picked a fight with a regime that's improving an already immense tolerance for pain

My latest (gift link): www.wsj.com/world/china/...
Xi Is Ratcheting Up China’s Pain Threshold for a Long Fight With Trump
President Trump is facing an adversary who has armed his country to play a long and potentially painful game in its contest with the U.S.
www.wsj.com

Reposted by Laura Luehrmann

Early reports of terrible destruction inside #Myanmar following a powerful earthquake. Official state of emergency in 6 rejoins, apparently injured being treated with makeshift facilities in the streets.

Sorry I missed it this year; will be cheering from the gallows.

Women = nearly 60% of China's documented prisoners of conscience.
Ahead of #InternationalWomensDay, a grim reminder: Women make up 48% of China’s population but nearly 60% of documented prisoners of conscience. Worse, 2/3 of detained PoCs over 60 are women—amid documented gender-based violence agst WHRDs in detention. Read more ⤵️
www.nchrd.org/2025/03/chin...

Reposted by Laura Luehrmann

A sharp deterioration in transatlantic relations is beginning to infect the European debate on China. EU officials say unity on China is at its most fragile point in years. They are particularly worried about Spain & Italy. Read more in my latest WCIE for GMF

www.gmfus.org/news/watchin...
Watching China in Europe—March 2025
www.gmfus.org
Ahead of #InternationalWomensDay, a grim reminder: Women make up 48% of China’s population but nearly 60% of documented prisoners of conscience. Worse, 2/3 of detained PoCs over 60 are women—amid documented gender-based violence agst WHRDs in detention. Read more ⤵️
www.nchrd.org/2025/03/chin...

Reposted by Laura Luehrmann

💀 The damage caused by Donald Trump to the United States’ reputation is creating opportunities for China, particularly with regards to Taiwan, according to a retired senior colonel from China’s People’s Liberation Army. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
‘America is going down’: China can capitalise on damage caused by Trump, former PLA colonel says
Exclusive: Zhou Bo says harm done to US image may make Taiwanese reconsider their attitude towards Beijing but says he sees Trump as overall being ‘rather friendly’
www.theguardian.com
Freedom and democracy are always worth fighting for. Slava Ukraini.

Reposted by Laura Luehrmann

DoD terminates Minerva grants and State Dept eliminates Title VIII summer language institutes on the same day. Coming on the heels of COVID, there’s going to be gaping holes in international expertise in the US for a generation.
/slow clap

Reposted by Laura Luehrmann

“The Trump administration has already demonstrated that it is willing to suddenly and without warning break from decades of bipartisan US policy on China,” says Bethany Allen, head of China investigations and analysis at @aspi-org.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/world/2025/f...
Taiwan holds its breath as Trump turns on Ukraine and upends US foreign policy
The mood in Taipei is one of wariness as the new US president takes a blowtorch to diplomatic norms and assurances
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Laura Luehrmann

Via AFP:

Reposted by Laura Luehrmann

"But as well as dropping the phrase "we do not support Taiwan independence", the page has added a reference to Taiwan's cooperation with a Pentagon technology and semiconductor development project and says the U.S. will support Taiwan's membership in int'l orgs..."

www.reuters.com/world/us-dro...
US drops website wording on not supporting Taiwan independence
The U.S. State Department has removed a statement on its website that it does not support Taiwan independence, among changes that the island's government praised on Sunday as supporting Taiwan.
www.reuters.com

Reposted by Laura Luehrmann

Make your calls. Go to your town halls. Ask your state and local officials what they are doing under state and local law. Rest. Hydrate. Make soup for the hungry. Don’t let people tell you that you’re doing it wrong. Not a sprint. Not a marathon. A relay. Find your team. Thank you.

Reposted by Laura Luehrmann

Greg @jamyang.net · Feb 14
PBS FRONTLINE investigates China’s rule over Tibet. With footage from inside the region, the documentary examines how the Communist regime controls Tibet’s Buddhist population, and the battle over the succession of its spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontli...
Battle for Tibet
FRONTLINE investigates China’s rule over Tibet.
www.pbs.org

Reposted by Laura Luehrmann

Update: As of Thursday, “Ne Zha 2” has grossed over 10 billion yuan ($1.3 billion), becoming China’s highest-grossing film and setting the biggest single-market box office record in history.
‘Ne Zha 2’: A 3-Year-Old Demon Just Crushed Every Movie in China
Now China’s highest-grossing film, “Ne Zha 2,” the sequel to the 2019 hit, is redefining the future of Chinese animation.
www.sixthtone.com

Reposted by Laura Luehrmann

When it comes to assessing the risks of DeepSeek, are we asking the wrong questions? Governments, journalists, and coders need to know that it’s a much more sophisticated propaganda tool than we all thought.
DeepSeeking Truth - China Media Project
When it comes to assessing the risks of DeepSeek as propaganda, are we asking the wrong questions? Governments, journalists, and coders need to know that it’s a much more sophisticated propaganda tool...
chinamediaproject.org

Reposted by Laura Luehrmann

Reposted by Laura Luehrmann

Several Honduran opposition candidates vying for the country's November elections support resuming diplomatic relations with Taiwan. www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6033468
Honduras opposition candidates back restoring Taiwan diplomatic ties | Taiwan News | Feb. 10, 2025 13:30
Candidate says China dumping destroyed local firms, aid failed to deliver | Feb. 10, 2025 13:30
www.taiwannews.com.tw

Reposted by Laura Luehrmann

Republican Senator Jerry Moran of farm-state Kansas sounds the alarm on dismantling #USAID.

Impending global implications as well as domestic implications for U.S. farmers.

kansasreflector.com/2025/02/07/k...
Kansas' Moran, Davids sound alarm on delay of USAID food aid to starving people worldwide • Kansas Reflector
Kansas' congressional delegation — Moran, Davids, Marshall — share diverse views on potential demolition of U.S. Agency for International Development.
kansasreflector.com

Reposted by Laura Luehrmann

WashU PoliSci is hosting its third annual summer research program for undergraduates! Applications are due March 7. If you know students who might be thinking of grad school and want to get hands-on research experience, encourage them to apply at: sites.wustl.edu/wusteps/

Reposted by Laura Luehrmann

February kicks off #BlackHistoryMonth, a time to honor and celebrate Black resilience, contribution and triumph.

Black history is central to our nation’s story. This month and always we celebrate the diversity and creativity of Black Americans that is essential to the U.S.'s foundation.