Jim Laurie
@jimlaurie.bsky.social
Writer, Speaker, Broadcaster. Travelling the world. A believer in learning from history. Author: The Last Helicopter: Two Lives in Indochina - a story of war, love and survival in the 1970's https://shorturl.at/oB6K7
#Vietnam’s Leader Has New Power, and He’s in a Hurry
To Lam is a former security chief who carved his way to prominence and relishes the good life. He has promised to make Communist Vietnam rich and influential www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/w...
To Lam is a former security chief who carved his way to prominence and relishes the good life. He has promised to make Communist Vietnam rich and influential www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/w...
Vietnam’s Leader Has New Power, and He’s in a Hurry
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 11:57 PM
#Vietnam’s Leader Has New Power, and He’s in a Hurry
To Lam is a former security chief who carved his way to prominence and relishes the good life. He has promised to make Communist Vietnam rich and influential www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/w...
To Lam is a former security chief who carved his way to prominence and relishes the good life. He has promised to make Communist Vietnam rich and influential www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/w...
Reposted by Jim Laurie
Cambodia has closed almost 200 scam centers in a crackdown on transnational fraud in recent weeks, a senior government official has said.
Cambodia says it has closed almost 200 scam centers in fraud crackdown
Thousands of scam workers, some of them trafficking victims confined in brutal conditions, have fled compounds in recent weeks seeking to return home.
ebx.sh
February 11, 2026 at 7:05 AM
Cambodia has closed almost 200 scam centers in a crackdown on transnational fraud in recent weeks, a senior government official has said.
Reposted by Jim Laurie
Sundown silhouettes a sugar harvester descending a toddy palm tree in Cambodia, October 1964.
Photograph by Thomas J. Abercrombie, National Geographic Creative
Photograph by Thomas J. Abercrombie, National Geographic Creative
February 9, 2026 at 8:37 AM
Sundown silhouettes a sugar harvester descending a toddy palm tree in Cambodia, October 1964.
Photograph by Thomas J. Abercrombie, National Geographic Creative
Photograph by Thomas J. Abercrombie, National Geographic Creative
Reposted by Jim Laurie
‘A white man’s war, a Black man’s fight’: the eye-opening story of Black soldiers in Vietnam
‘A white man’s war, a Black man’s fight’: the eye-opening story of Black soldiers in Vietnam
At a time when Black military history is being rewritten under Trump officials, new book The War Within a War provides a vital reminder
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:45 AM
‘A white man’s war, a Black man’s fight’: the eye-opening story of Black soldiers in Vietnam
I Just Returned From #China. We Are Not Winning. Steven Rattner writes. "America should get house in order and beat China at its own game. The need to do so is only growing, because the commotion of Mr. Trump’s first year back in office has set America back." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/o...
Opinion | I Just Returned From China. We Are Not Winning.
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:32 AM
I Just Returned From #China. We Are Not Winning. Steven Rattner writes. "America should get house in order and beat China at its own game. The need to do so is only growing, because the commotion of Mr. Trump’s first year back in office has set America back." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/o...
Trump Allies Near ‘Total Victory.’ Wipe Out US Climate Regulation. Small group of right-wing activists worked 16 years to stop all government efforts to fight climate change. Efforts seem poised to pay off. Maybe rising seas & storms will now wipe out Mar-a-lago! www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/c...
Trump Allies Near ‘Total Victory’ in Wiping Out U.S. Climate Regulation
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:09 AM
Trump Allies Near ‘Total Victory.’ Wipe Out US Climate Regulation. Small group of right-wing activists worked 16 years to stop all government efforts to fight climate change. Efforts seem poised to pay off. Maybe rising seas & storms will now wipe out Mar-a-lago! www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/c...
Weekly reminder at @booksky.club #HistoryMatters @neglectedbooks.com If you haven't already - explore our story of War, Love and Survival in Indochina in the 1970's and 80's. Available audiobook, digital and paperback: THE LAST HELICOPTER: Two lives in Indochina.
February 7, 2026 at 1:36 AM
Weekly reminder at @booksky.club #HistoryMatters @neglectedbooks.com If you haven't already - explore our story of War, Love and Survival in Indochina in the 1970's and 80's. Available audiobook, digital and paperback: THE LAST HELICOPTER: Two lives in Indochina.
#Cambodia reveals damage to UNESCO-listed temple after #Thailand clashes. Masterpiece of Khmer architecture caught up in border dispute. @afp.com first international media outlet to access the Preah Vihear temple. f24.my/BirW.BS
Cambodia reveals damage to UNESCO-listed temple after Thailand clashes
Chunks of broken sandstone litter Cambodia's UNESCO-listed Preah Vihear temple, whose centuries-old sandstone facades are pocked with fresh shrapnel scars after weeks of deadly border clashes with nei...
f24.my
February 7, 2026 at 1:20 AM
#Cambodia reveals damage to UNESCO-listed temple after #Thailand clashes. Masterpiece of Khmer architecture caught up in border dispute. @afp.com first international media outlet to access the Preah Vihear temple. f24.my/BirW.BS
Brooking's report 'Favorability toward USA has declined sharply among allies in last yr. Perceptions of #China’s economic influence have risen. Shift weakens Washington’s ability to mobilize U.S. partners around the administration’s core objectives... www.brookings.edu/articles/mak...
Making America great again? Evaluating Trump’s China strategy at the one-year mark | Brookings
This report assesses whether the Trump administration’s second-term approach toward China has produced measurable gains after one year.
www.brookings.edu
February 4, 2026 at 9:36 AM
Brooking's report 'Favorability toward USA has declined sharply among allies in last yr. Perceptions of #China’s economic influence have risen. Shift weakens Washington’s ability to mobilize U.S. partners around the administration’s core objectives... www.brookings.edu/articles/mak...
Simone McCarthy writes "As Donald Trump takes a sledgehammer to longstanding alliances with threats to take control of Greenland and a spiraling feud with Canada, he creates significant opening for China." European and other leaders turn to China. www.cnn.com/2026/02/02/c...
Analysis: As a parade of US allies rattled by Trump visit China, Beijing claims a win for its new world order | CNN
As US President Donald Trump takes a sledgehammer to longstanding alliances with a volatile foreign policy that’s included threats to take control of Greenland and a spiraling feud with Canada, he’s a...
www.cnn.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Simone McCarthy writes "As Donald Trump takes a sledgehammer to longstanding alliances with threats to take control of Greenland and a spiraling feud with Canada, he creates significant opening for China." European and other leaders turn to China. www.cnn.com/2026/02/02/c...
apnews.com/article/viet...
2024 internal document shows #Vietnam military prepares for another kind of #VietnamWar. Concern about "color revolution." Contradictions within Vietnam Communist Party. Duality in approach to US.
2024 internal document shows #Vietnam military prepares for another kind of #VietnamWar. Concern about "color revolution." Contradictions within Vietnam Communist Party. Duality in approach to US.
An internal document shows the Vietnamese military preparing for a possible American war
An internal document reveals Vietnam's military is preparing for a possible American war of aggression, viewing the U.S. as a "belligerent" power.
apnews.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:26 PM
apnews.com/article/viet...
2024 internal document shows #Vietnam military prepares for another kind of #VietnamWar. Concern about "color revolution." Contradictions within Vietnam Communist Party. Duality in approach to US.
2024 internal document shows #Vietnam military prepares for another kind of #VietnamWar. Concern about "color revolution." Contradictions within Vietnam Communist Party. Duality in approach to US.
Why Belt and Road Is Back. A worthwhile discussion w/ Eric Olander on financial health of China’s Belt/Road Initiative. Critics said BRI was overstretched, bankrupting borrowers and straining creditors suffering from a weakening Chinese economy. But now: open.substack.com/pub/sinica/p...
Why the Belt and Road Is Back in a Big Way
There’s been a lot of discussion in recent years about the financial health of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
open.substack.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Why Belt and Road Is Back. A worthwhile discussion w/ Eric Olander on financial health of China’s Belt/Road Initiative. Critics said BRI was overstretched, bankrupting borrowers and straining creditors suffering from a weakening Chinese economy. But now: open.substack.com/pub/sinica/p...
China's bet has paid off. Xi Jinping knowing Donald Trump was driving former allies away, wooed those allies on his terms. A procession of European and Canadian leaders went to Beijing to deepen ties with the world’s second-largest economy. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/31/w...
U.S. Allies Are Drawing Closer to China, but on Beijing’s Terms
www.nytimes.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:16 AM
China's bet has paid off. Xi Jinping knowing Donald Trump was driving former allies away, wooed those allies on his terms. A procession of European and Canadian leaders went to Beijing to deepen ties with the world’s second-largest economy. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/31/w...
@booksky.club #booksky weekly #weekend reminder to check out a story of war, love and survival in #Cambodia and #Vietnam during the 1970's. THE LAST HELCOPTER: TWO LIVES IN INDOCHINA Available in #ebook #audiobook and paperback. #historymatters
January 31, 2026 at 7:28 AM
@booksky.club #booksky weekly #weekend reminder to check out a story of war, love and survival in #Cambodia and #Vietnam during the 1970's. THE LAST HELCOPTER: TWO LIVES IN INDOCHINA Available in #ebook #audiobook and paperback. #historymatters
Reposted by Jim Laurie
Trump says 'very dangerous' for UK to do business with China.
Trump tariff terror pushing countries into new alignments.
it is economic pragmatism for countries to build trade links with China, the second largest economy.
Hypocrisy: US trades with China and Trump himself will visit China soon.
Trump tariff terror pushing countries into new alignments.
it is economic pragmatism for countries to build trade links with China, the second largest economy.
Hypocrisy: US trades with China and Trump himself will visit China soon.
Donald Trump says 'very dangerous' for UK to do business with China as Starmer lands in Shanghai
Sir Keir says
www.bbc.co.uk
January 30, 2026 at 7:51 AM
Trump says 'very dangerous' for UK to do business with China.
Trump tariff terror pushing countries into new alignments.
it is economic pragmatism for countries to build trade links with China, the second largest economy.
Hypocrisy: US trades with China and Trump himself will visit China soon.
Trump tariff terror pushing countries into new alignments.
it is economic pragmatism for countries to build trade links with China, the second largest economy.
Hypocrisy: US trades with China and Trump himself will visit China soon.
Reposted by Jim Laurie
The closure of longstanding debate programs at public broadcaster RTHK signals a retreat from editorial independence — as the network openly aligns with China’s party-state media. lingua-sinica.org/letters-from...
Letters From a Party Broadcaster - Lingua Sinica
The closure of longstanding debate programs at public broadcaster RTHK signals a retreat from editorial independence — as the network openly aligns with China’s party-state media.
lingua-sinica.org
January 30, 2026 at 1:26 AM
The closure of longstanding debate programs at public broadcaster RTHK signals a retreat from editorial independence — as the network openly aligns with China’s party-state media. lingua-sinica.org/letters-from...
Commitments to double-digit growth, technological transformation, enhanced global integration, and a more assertive international role suggest a leadership intent on accelerating #VIETNAM's development trajectory at a moment of mounting global uncertainty. open.substack.com/pub/asiasent...
Vietnam’s 14th Congress Endorses Growth Commitment
Conclave signals Tô Lâm fully in charge
open.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 10:33 AM
Commitments to double-digit growth, technological transformation, enhanced global integration, and a more assertive international role suggest a leadership intent on accelerating #VIETNAM's development trajectory at a moment of mounting global uncertainty. open.substack.com/pub/asiasent...
When I was young and working in India in 1976, Mark Tully, BBC’s Voice in South Asia, was an absolute must for this BBC WORLD SERVICE LISTENER. Died in Delhi RIP. A great broadcaster and lifelong India expert. 1935-2026 open.substack.com/pub/asiasent...
Mark Tully, BBC’s Voice in South Asia 1935-2026
Veteran journalist dies in Delhi, aged 90
open.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 10:25 AM
When I was young and working in India in 1976, Mark Tully, BBC’s Voice in South Asia, was an absolute must for this BBC WORLD SERVICE LISTENER. Died in Delhi RIP. A great broadcaster and lifelong India expert. 1935-2026 open.substack.com/pub/asiasent...
#China Wins as Donald Trump Cedes Leadership of the Global Economy. In #Davos 2026 Switzerland, with a long, rambling address that was by turns bombastic, aggrieved and self-congratulatory, Trump pronounced last rites on American leadership. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/b...
China Wins as Trump Cedes Leadership of the Global Economy
www.nytimes.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:42 PM
#China Wins as Donald Trump Cedes Leadership of the Global Economy. In #Davos 2026 Switzerland, with a long, rambling address that was by turns bombastic, aggrieved and self-congratulatory, Trump pronounced last rites on American leadership. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/b...
Reposted by Jim Laurie
Commentary: China’s ancient strategy of fracturing coalitions through bilateral inducements is reappearing in its courtship of Canada, offering short-term relief while undermining collective resistance against a domineering Beijing.
‘Carney Doctrine’ seeks refuge in Beijing’s embrace
Ottawa is fixated on immediate Chinese accommodation rather than engaging in the harder work of building alternative coalitions.
ebx.sh
January 22, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Commentary: China’s ancient strategy of fracturing coalitions through bilateral inducements is reappearing in its courtship of Canada, offering short-term relief while undermining collective resistance against a domineering Beijing.
A speech at Davos worth listening to starts in English 0305 ends at 1854 #Canada PM Mark Carney calls out the hegemon without naming him... #Trump's bullying will not be tolerated by the civilized world: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE98...
Davos LIVE: Canadian PM Mark Carney speaks at World Economic Forum
YouTube video by Associated Press
www.youtube.com
January 21, 2026 at 7:23 AM
A speech at Davos worth listening to starts in English 0305 ends at 1854 #Canada PM Mark Carney calls out the hegemon without naming him... #Trump's bullying will not be tolerated by the civilized world: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE98...
How #Trump is making #China great again—and what it means for Europe. Trump's disavowal of the liberal international order may have given people licence to build stronger links to Beijing. Poll of 25,949 respondents across 21 countries conducted in November 2025 ecfr.eu/publication/...
How Trump is making China great again—and what it means for Europe – European Council on Foreign Relations
A post-Western world is learning to love China, while Europeans are starting to fear America.
ecfr.eu
January 20, 2026 at 11:16 AM
How #Trump is making #China great again—and what it means for Europe. Trump's disavowal of the liberal international order may have given people licence to build stronger links to Beijing. Poll of 25,949 respondents across 21 countries conducted in November 2025 ecfr.eu/publication/...
AT #Vietnam CPS, To Lam to continue as Party Gen.Sec. 68-yr-old drives ambitious reforms since being named in August 2024. Seeks to emulate past economic success of China. Fastest-growing economy in SE Asia, faces challenges of corruption & #Trump erratic tariffs policy. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Vietnam: Communist Party congress meets to pick new leaders
To Lam, the current party general secretary, is seen as the lead contender for the top job.
www.bbc.com
January 20, 2026 at 1:37 AM
AT #Vietnam CPS, To Lam to continue as Party Gen.Sec. 68-yr-old drives ambitious reforms since being named in August 2024. Seeks to emulate past economic success of China. Fastest-growing economy in SE Asia, faces challenges of corruption & #Trump erratic tariffs policy. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Jim Laurie
We are watching one of the wildest things a nation-state has ever done: A superpower is committing suicide because the GOP Congress is too cowardly to stand up to the Mad King.
This is one of the wildest moments in all of geopolitics ever.
This is one of the wildest moments in all of geopolitics ever.
Footage shows Danish troops arriving in Greenland as part of a new military deployment. Among the personnel who landed on the island is Major General Peter H. Boysen, Chief of the Danish Army Command. #Greenland
January 19, 2026 at 10:59 PM
We are watching one of the wildest things a nation-state has ever done: A superpower is committing suicide because the GOP Congress is too cowardly to stand up to the Mad King.
This is one of the wildest moments in all of geopolitics ever.
This is one of the wildest moments in all of geopolitics ever.