Mareike Ohlberg
@mareikeohlberg.bsky.social
Senior fellow @gmfus | CCP interference, digital, media, ideology | Permanent email/DM bankruptcy | #peasantpride | Usual disclaimers
Reposted by Mareike Ohlberg
New survey shows the massive impact China's rare earth controls are still having on EU firms
- One company said the controls cost 20% of its global revenue
- 40% said licensing process added 2 months+ to delivery times
- 38% expect significant disruption or production stoppages
- One company said the controls cost 20% of its global revenue
- 40% said licensing process added 2 months+ to delivery times
- 38% expect significant disruption or production stoppages
December 1, 2025 at 9:59 AM
New survey shows the massive impact China's rare earth controls are still having on EU firms
- One company said the controls cost 20% of its global revenue
- 40% said licensing process added 2 months+ to delivery times
- 38% expect significant disruption or production stoppages
- One company said the controls cost 20% of its global revenue
- 40% said licensing process added 2 months+ to delivery times
- 38% expect significant disruption or production stoppages
Reposted by Mareike Ohlberg
The arrests in Hong Kong right now are déjà vu for mainlanders like me who were active in civil society in the 2000s: citizens demanding investigations and accountability after public disasters are met not with answers, but arrests and intimidation. #mainlandization #香港加速内地化
Inmediahk reports that HK university student Miles Kwan, who was seen handing out fliers linking to a petition demanding an independent investigation and accountability for the Tai Po fire was detained and taken to the police station. The online petition and related media has since been deleted.
November 30, 2025 at 4:44 AM
The arrests in Hong Kong right now are déjà vu for mainlanders like me who were active in civil society in the 2000s: citizens demanding investigations and accountability after public disasters are met not with answers, but arrests and intimidation. #mainlandization #香港加速内地化
Reposted by Mareike Ohlberg
I’ve been monitoring online discussions from Hong Kong about why HKers consider blaming bamboo scaffolding is a gov spin, and I think many AUS media have got it WRONG.
They think it’s a spin NOT because they see bamboo scaffolding as a tradition that distinguishes HK from China.
They think it’s a spin NOT because they see bamboo scaffolding as a tradition that distinguishes HK from China.
November 30, 2025 at 1:35 AM
I’ve been monitoring online discussions from Hong Kong about why HKers consider blaming bamboo scaffolding is a gov spin, and I think many AUS media have got it WRONG.
They think it’s a spin NOT because they see bamboo scaffolding as a tradition that distinguishes HK from China.
They think it’s a spin NOT because they see bamboo scaffolding as a tradition that distinguishes HK from China.
I feel like a broken record telling media, universities, and think tanks that falling in line and enabling an authoritarian takeover won't save you from the authoritarian's reprisals. It just marks you as an idiot who can be squeezed for more concessions.
The White House’s new anti-media website includes denunciations of:
-ABC, which bribed the president
-CBS, which bribed the president and moved away from fact-based journalism trying to appeal to him and his fans
-WaPo, which spiked a Harris endorsement and tilts coverage in Trump’s favor
Fools.
-ABC, which bribed the president
-CBS, which bribed the president and moved away from fact-based journalism trying to appeal to him and his fans
-WaPo, which spiked a Harris endorsement and tilts coverage in Trump’s favor
Fools.
November 30, 2025 at 11:26 AM
I feel like a broken record telling media, universities, and think tanks that falling in line and enabling an authoritarian takeover won't save you from the authoritarian's reprisals. It just marks you as an idiot who can be squeezed for more concessions.
People keep calling me a pessimist when all of my predictions are wildly too optimistic and the world consistently out-pessimists me. Yes, my views tend to be more 'pessimistic' than most, but they still fail to accurately describe developments and as such err on the side of optimism and hope.
November 29, 2025 at 9:10 AM
People keep calling me a pessimist when all of my predictions are wildly too optimistic and the world consistently out-pessimists me. Yes, my views tend to be more 'pessimistic' than most, but they still fail to accurately describe developments and as such err on the side of optimism and hope.
Reposted by Mareike Ohlberg
Brutal examination, agree fully: "Putin has just made one of his most cherished dreams come true: he has compromised the United States in his efforts to demolish international law. This is the primary objective of the Witkoff/Dmitriev peace plan".
desk-russie.info/2025/11/27/t...
desk-russie.info/2025/11/27/t...
The Witkoff/Dmitriev Peace Plan: Stupidity or Betrayal? • russian desk
Putin has just made one of his most cherished dreams come true: he has compromised the United States in his efforts to demolish international law. This is the
desk-russie.info
November 29, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Brutal examination, agree fully: "Putin has just made one of his most cherished dreams come true: he has compromised the United States in his efforts to demolish international law. This is the primary objective of the Witkoff/Dmitriev peace plan".
desk-russie.info/2025/11/27/t...
desk-russie.info/2025/11/27/t...
Reposted by Mareike Ohlberg
It is really quite striking that Witkoff sounds 100% like the German advocates of Nord Stream and business deals with the Kremlin as a bridge to peace and stability.
With the only difference that those doing the deals are now supposed to be Americans not Germans.
With the only difference that those doing the deals are now supposed to be Americans not Germans.
November 29, 2025 at 6:45 AM
It is really quite striking that Witkoff sounds 100% like the German advocates of Nord Stream and business deals with the Kremlin as a bridge to peace and stability.
With the only difference that those doing the deals are now supposed to be Americans not Germans.
With the only difference that those doing the deals are now supposed to be Americans not Germans.
Reposted by Mareike Ohlberg
A lot of the political arguments you are having on social media aren’t real.
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
X's new location transparency feature unleashes questions about origins of MAGA accounts
The function, which shows that a slew of MAGA-branded accounts are apparently based outside the U.S., also stirred speculative outrage over where the Department of Homeland Security account was create...
www.nbcnews.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:48 PM
A lot of the political arguments you are having on social media aren’t real.
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
Reposted by Mareike Ohlberg
By tomorrow, @rferl.org.web.brid.gy will cease its 🇭🇺 operations. After returning in 2020 amid Hungary’s deepening autocratization, it is now withdrawing again — another move by the Trump administration shoring up Orbán at a moment of rising domestic pressure, a clear sign of illiberal solidarity.
November 20, 2025 at 11:19 PM
By tomorrow, @rferl.org.web.brid.gy will cease its 🇭🇺 operations. After returning in 2020 amid Hungary’s deepening autocratization, it is now withdrawing again — another move by the Trump administration shoring up Orbán at a moment of rising domestic pressure, a clear sign of illiberal solidarity.
Reposted by Mareike Ohlberg
The example blue notice we include in this post is hugely concerning too. A police notice from Chongqing announcing an investigation into Taiwanese lawyer and legislator Shen Bo-yang (沈伯洋), who is also known as Puma Shen.
Hu Xijin speaks out against the flood of "blue background" notices from police and government that are drowning out even Party-led journalism. Learn more: chinamediaproject.org/2025/11/10/b...
Beyond Blue and White - China Media Project
Former Global Times editor Hu Xijin warns that official notices are replacing journalism, undermining China's ability to communicate effectively during crises.
chinamediaproject.org
November 10, 2025 at 2:36 PM
The example blue notice we include in this post is hugely concerning too. A police notice from Chongqing announcing an investigation into Taiwanese lawyer and legislator Shen Bo-yang (沈伯洋), who is also known as Puma Shen.
Reposted by Mareike Ohlberg
This was really interesting. I want to know what the company plans to do when law enforcement comes and asks for recordings from inside the homes of particular clients from them, because it WILL happen. What do they store, what will they share? @kevinroose.com @caseynewton.bsky.social
NEO, a new humanoid robot that can do housekeeping, has the internet buzzing. The hosts of "Hard Fork" met with Bernt Bornich, the chief executive of the company 1X, which created the robot, and got to put NEO to the test. nyti.ms/47MhkAo
November 9, 2025 at 9:44 AM
This was really interesting. I want to know what the company plans to do when law enforcement comes and asks for recordings from inside the homes of particular clients from them, because it WILL happen. What do they store, what will they share? @kevinroose.com @caseynewton.bsky.social
Reposted by Mareike Ohlberg
“In September 2024, the university informed Chinese state security that it would not be publishing a final phase of research on forced labour in China. “Immediately, relations improved,” an administrator wrote.”
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
UK university halted human rights research after pressure from China
Exclusive: Leading professor at Sheffield Hallam was told to cease research on supply chains and forced labour in China after demands from authorities
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:11 PM
“In September 2024, the university informed Chinese state security that it would not be publishing a final phase of research on forced labour in China. “Immediately, relations improved,” an administrator wrote.”
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
This is great!
I don’t know who turned me on to this automated labeler that tells you who is posting hundreds of times a day, who never stops posting, etc, but it’s great
bsky.app/profile/stec...
bsky.app/profile/stec...
bsky.app
November 3, 2025 at 9:25 PM
This is great!
I wish it was only the billionaires.
Mr. Obama sir we tried to tell you that you were running with a bad crowd (billionaires), they’re bad news
www.cnn.com/2025/10/31/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/10/31/p...
November 2, 2025 at 12:48 AM
I wish it was only the billionaires.
I probably shouldn't be, but I'm always astonished by the people who can see the authoritarian turn in the US very clearly but somehow still manage to whitewash, ignore or play down authoritarianism in China despite having lived in the country. And I'm not talking about the classic tankies.
October 30, 2025 at 12:18 AM
I probably shouldn't be, but I'm always astonished by the people who can see the authoritarian turn in the US very clearly but somehow still manage to whitewash, ignore or play down authoritarianism in China despite having lived in the country. And I'm not talking about the classic tankies.
Reposted by Mareike Ohlberg
Congratulations, Elon Musk.
After 29 years, RFA is on pause
From the executive editor: funding uncertainty is driving RFA’s remaining teams to stop delivering the news for now
rfa.org
October 29, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Congratulations, Elon Musk.
Reposted by Mareike Ohlberg
Huge if true, and seems to confirm that the semiconductor export control regime was indeed up as a bargaining chip in Trump's talks with Xi, which begs the question of what else might be up for negotiation
October 29, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Huge if true, and seems to confirm that the semiconductor export control regime was indeed up as a bargaining chip in Trump's talks with Xi, which begs the question of what else might be up for negotiation
Thanks for publishing this. Reading the exchange, I couldn't help but think that the reason why Halligan feels so unconstrained to go for this ham-fisted intimidation/manipulation attempt is that this kind of stuff probably works on an unfortunately high number of people.
EXCLUSIVE: One Saturday afternoon in October, my phone lit up with a notification.
I glanced down at the message.
“Anna, Lindsey Halligan here,” it began.
So began my text exchange with the woman who is prosecuting the president's perceived political enemies.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/anna...
I glanced down at the message.
“Anna, Lindsey Halligan here,” it began.
So began my text exchange with the woman who is prosecuting the president's perceived political enemies.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/anna...
October 22, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Thanks for publishing this. Reading the exchange, I couldn't help but think that the reason why Halligan feels so unconstrained to go for this ham-fisted intimidation/manipulation attempt is that this kind of stuff probably works on an unfortunately high number of people.
I like to joke that Xi Jinping is my most important and reliable ally when it comes to convincing the US and Europe to make better China policy. Maybe I need to add Putin to my list of "allies."
Russian president then delivered a rambling historical discursion spanning medieval princes such as Rurik of Novgorod and Yaroslav the Wise, along with the 17th century Cossack chieftain Bohdan Khmelnytsky.Trump raised his voice several times and at one point threatened to walk out
on.ft.com/4qkz9PG
on.ft.com/4qkz9PG
How Vladimir Putin’s history rant in Alaska nudged Donald Trump closer to Ukraine
Fraught summit in Anchorage marked a nadir that reshaped how the presidents approach each other
on.ft.com
October 17, 2025 at 12:53 PM
I like to joke that Xi Jinping is my most important and reliable ally when it comes to convincing the US and Europe to make better China policy. Maybe I need to add Putin to my list of "allies."
Reposted by Mareike Ohlberg
#China: Today, on the 10-year anniversary of the kidnapping of poet, bookseller and PEN member, Gui Minhai, 65 PEN Centres around the world renew our demand for his immediate and unconditional release.
Read our joint statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/china-p...
#FreeGuiMinhai
Read our joint statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/china-p...
#FreeGuiMinhai
PEN International
#China: Today, on the 10-year anniversary of the kidnapping of poet, bookseller and PEN member, Gui Minhai, 65 PEN Centres around the world renew our demand for his immediate and unconditional...
www.facebook.com
October 17, 2025 at 11:32 AM
#China: Today, on the 10-year anniversary of the kidnapping of poet, bookseller and PEN member, Gui Minhai, 65 PEN Centres around the world renew our demand for his immediate and unconditional release.
Read our joint statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/china-p...
#FreeGuiMinhai
Read our joint statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/china-p...
#FreeGuiMinhai
"escalating his challenge to the authority" @nytpitchbot.bsky.social is this you??
President Trump on Wednesday signed a memorandum expanding his administration’s authority to repurpose unspent federal funds to pay members of the military during the government shutdown, escalating his challenge to the authority of Congress on spending matters.
Trump Signs Memo Expanding His Authority to Spend Federal Money
The president gave Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wide authority to repurpose funds to pay members of the military without approval from Congress, which has the sole constitutional authority to decide federal spending.
nyti.ms
October 16, 2025 at 12:22 AM
"escalating his challenge to the authority" @nytpitchbot.bsky.social is this you??
Reposted by Mareike Ohlberg
Is Trump irresponsible enough to fall for this? China’s leadership must think so
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
China Pushes Trump to Drop Curbs as It Dangles Investment Pledge
China is pushing the Trump administration to roll back national-security restrictions on Chinese deals in the US, dangling the prospect of a massive investment package as part of a proposal that would...
www.bloomberg.com
October 3, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Is Trump irresponsible enough to fall for this? China’s leadership must think so
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Mareike Ohlberg
continue on the theme of different "toilet cultures", I grew up using toilets without flush water and without cubicles. this is a widely circulated image showing an illustrated 007 book likely from the 1980s. the illustration is about James Bond retrieving a secret letter in a public restroom...
October 3, 2025 at 8:09 PM
continue on the theme of different "toilet cultures", I grew up using toilets without flush water and without cubicles. this is a widely circulated image showing an illustrated 007 book likely from the 1980s. the illustration is about James Bond retrieving a secret letter in a public restroom...
Reposted by Mareike Ohlberg
My analysis of Tuesday's mtg:
"...It underscored the admin’s intention to shift its focus... toward homeland issues, and provided the clearest indication yet that US partners and allies will have to contend with a military increasingly operating outside of int'l law."
www.gmfus.org/news/rough-s...
"...It underscored the admin’s intention to shift its focus... toward homeland issues, and provided the clearest indication yet that US partners and allies will have to contend with a military increasingly operating outside of int'l law."
www.gmfus.org/news/rough-s...
Rough Seas Ahead
www.gmfus.org
October 2, 2025 at 3:17 PM
My analysis of Tuesday's mtg:
"...It underscored the admin’s intention to shift its focus... toward homeland issues, and provided the clearest indication yet that US partners and allies will have to contend with a military increasingly operating outside of int'l law."
www.gmfus.org/news/rough-s...
"...It underscored the admin’s intention to shift its focus... toward homeland issues, and provided the clearest indication yet that US partners and allies will have to contend with a military increasingly operating outside of int'l law."
www.gmfus.org/news/rough-s...
Reposted by Mareike Ohlberg
Author copies for
Dictating the Agenda: The Authoritarian Resurgence in World Politics
by me & @cooleyoneurasia.bsky.social arrived today!
If you re-post this by Sept 30 we'll put you in a drawing & send the winner a free signed copy anywhere they happen to be on the planet.
Dictating the Agenda: The Authoritarian Resurgence in World Politics
by me & @cooleyoneurasia.bsky.social arrived today!
If you re-post this by Sept 30 we'll put you in a drawing & send the winner a free signed copy anywhere they happen to be on the planet.
September 15, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Author copies for
Dictating the Agenda: The Authoritarian Resurgence in World Politics
by me & @cooleyoneurasia.bsky.social arrived today!
If you re-post this by Sept 30 we'll put you in a drawing & send the winner a free signed copy anywhere they happen to be on the planet.
Dictating the Agenda: The Authoritarian Resurgence in World Politics
by me & @cooleyoneurasia.bsky.social arrived today!
If you re-post this by Sept 30 we'll put you in a drawing & send the winner a free signed copy anywhere they happen to be on the planet.