Ben
@benjaminqiu.bsky.social
Lawyer, author; co-chair, Asian Affairs Comm, NYC Bar; former board member, Shanghai Foreign Correspondents Club; youth basketball and track coach
Reposted by Ben
My latest from my Newletter, Kal Draws The Line. To see more cartoons like this, check out the link in bio and comments below.
February 18, 2026 at 1:59 AM
My latest from my Newletter, Kal Draws The Line. To see more cartoons like this, check out the link in bio and comments below.
Reposted by Ben
Once again, this Administration is putting pressure on networks to control what people see on TV. Everyone should be able to call this out for what it is: un-American censorship.
February 18, 2026 at 4:38 PM
Once again, this Administration is putting pressure on networks to control what people see on TV. Everyone should be able to call this out for what it is: un-American censorship.
Meanwhile, the local citizen journalists’ posts are again more incisive — the Chinese economy is so bad that more than before folks opt for the slow green-colored trains because they are cheaper.
February 18, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Meanwhile, the local citizen journalists’ posts are again more incisive — the Chinese economy is so bad that more than before folks opt for the slow green-colored trains because they are cheaper.
Reposted by Ben
China increased its support for Russia’s war in Ukraine in 2025 and is likely to deepen cooperation with Moscow further this year, casting doubt on EU efforts to improve relations with Beijing.
China expanding aid for Russia’s war, Western officials say
The war couldn't continue without ongoing Chinese support, particularly the export of dual-use components and critical minerals used in Russian drone production.
ebx.sh
February 15, 2026 at 5:51 AM
China increased its support for Russia’s war in Ukraine in 2025 and is likely to deepen cooperation with Moscow further this year, casting doubt on EU efforts to improve relations with Beijing.
Shame on the IOC.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the IOC's decision to ban Vladyslav Heraskevych for refusing to ditch a helmet depicting victims of the war with Russia plays "into the hands of aggressors."
Volodymyr Zelenskyy blasts IOC after Ukrainian banned for helmet honoring war victims
The International Olympic Committee said Heraskevych had failed 'to adhere to the IOC athlete expression guidelines.'
ebx.sh
February 13, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Shame on the IOC.
Reposted by Ben
🗞️NEWSLETTER: After #JimmyLai's effective death sentence and the retaliatory conviction of Anna Kwok's father for her pro-democracy activism, attention shifts to consequences for the #HongKong regime.
🔗https://thecfhk.org/jimmy-lai-sentencing-sparks-worldwide-condemnation-and-calls-for-sanctions/
🔗https://thecfhk.org/jimmy-lai-sentencing-sparks-worldwide-condemnation-and-calls-for-sanctions/
February 13, 2026 at 12:42 PM
🗞️NEWSLETTER: After #JimmyLai's effective death sentence and the retaliatory conviction of Anna Kwok's father for her pro-democracy activism, attention shifts to consequences for the #HongKong regime.
🔗https://thecfhk.org/jimmy-lai-sentencing-sparks-worldwide-condemnation-and-calls-for-sanctions/
🔗https://thecfhk.org/jimmy-lai-sentencing-sparks-worldwide-condemnation-and-calls-for-sanctions/
Reposted by Ben
Hard to describe the depth of outrage and feeling this story has generated across in Ukraine - remarkable and sad.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/w...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/w...
Ukrainian Olympian Is Disqualified Over Helmet With Images of War Dead
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 12:20 PM
Hard to describe the depth of outrage and feeling this story has generated across in Ukraine - remarkable and sad.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/w...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/w...
Reposted by Ben
Kristi Noem has to go.
Gregory Bovino has to go.
Stephen Miller has to go.
Gregory Bovino has to go.
Stephen Miller has to go.
February 11, 2026 at 9:05 PM
Kristi Noem has to go.
Gregory Bovino has to go.
Stephen Miller has to go.
Gregory Bovino has to go.
Stephen Miller has to go.
Reposted by Ben
Commentary: Japan's vote was for a realist in a dangerous neighborhood, not a license for performative nationalism or domestic culture wars.
Takaichi’s big win: A major victory for hard-nosed realism
The turnout was driven primarily by a craving for security. Voters rallied behind Takaichi’s willingness to stand up to Chinese economic coercion and disinformation campaigns.
ebx.sh
February 11, 2026 at 1:00 AM
Commentary: Japan's vote was for a realist in a dangerous neighborhood, not a license for performative nationalism or domestic culture wars.
Reposted by Ben
Greece is reportedly blocking the EU's 20th sanctions package. Since the invasion, Greece has on every occasion obstructed, causing the people of Ukraine immeasurable harm. Worst of all, Greece helped Russia build its shadow fleet. How much more of this?
robinjbrooks.substack.com/p/how-does-t...
robinjbrooks.substack.com/p/how-does-t...
February 10, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Greece is reportedly blocking the EU's 20th sanctions package. Since the invasion, Greece has on every occasion obstructed, causing the people of Ukraine immeasurable harm. Worst of all, Greece helped Russia build its shadow fleet. How much more of this?
robinjbrooks.substack.com/p/how-does-t...
robinjbrooks.substack.com/p/how-does-t...
As a Hong Konger, proud of the fact that Jimmy Lai, who defended democratic values and press freedom when the other tycoons kowtowed to authority, is about the mirror opposite of Jeff Bezos.
February 9, 2026 at 5:01 PM
As a Hong Konger, proud of the fact that Jimmy Lai, who defended democratic values and press freedom when the other tycoons kowtowed to authority, is about the mirror opposite of Jeff Bezos.
The American kleptocracy.
"While his father Steve Witkoff acts as President Trump’s all-purpose special envoy, 32-year-old Zach Witkoff now heads up World Liberty, which has doled out at least $1.4 billion to both families"
extraordinary reporting from @wsj.com
www.wsj.com/finance/curr...
extraordinary reporting from @wsj.com
www.wsj.com/finance/curr...
One Generation Runs the Country. The Next Cashed In on Crypto.
Sons of top Trump administration officials made billions for their families, but their investors didn’t always fare so well.
www.wsj.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:46 PM
The American kleptocracy.
Hottest topics at my kid’s NY suburban middle school appear to be football betting and Epstein. With Super Bowl over, just the latter now.
February 9, 2026 at 3:29 PM
Hottest topics at my kid’s NY suburban middle school appear to be football betting and Epstein. With Super Bowl over, just the latter now.
The warm connection between Chomsky and Bannon via Epstein (from the new release) really epitomizes the “horse shoe” of the far left and the far right.
February 9, 2026 at 3:16 PM
The warm connection between Chomsky and Bannon via Epstein (from the new release) really epitomizes the “horse shoe” of the far left and the far right.
The best son of Hong Kong received a life sentence.
February 9, 2026 at 2:48 PM
The best son of Hong Kong received a life sentence.
If Paris were Los Angeles, the war in Ukraine would be near Memphis
February 8, 2026 at 5:28 PM
If Paris were Los Angeles, the war in Ukraine would be near Memphis
Exit poll in Japan today suggests a decisive win for Takaichi. Beijing’s saber rattling backfired spectacularly.
We will know the results around JP midnight.
Most bills require majority (233 seats)
Constitutional reforms require surpassing the threshold of 2/3 of seats (311).
We will know the results around JP midnight.
Most bills require majority (233 seats)
Constitutional reforms require surpassing the threshold of 2/3 of seats (311).
February 8, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Exit poll in Japan today suggests a decisive win for Takaichi. Beijing’s saber rattling backfired spectacularly.
We will know the results around JP midnight.
Most bills require majority (233 seats)
Constitutional reforms require surpassing the threshold of 2/3 of seats (311).
We will know the results around JP midnight.
Most bills require majority (233 seats)
Constitutional reforms require surpassing the threshold of 2/3 of seats (311).
Reposted by Ben
We are deciding right now whether we want to be a country with ethnic cleansing and concentration camps.
The banality of evil is shocking. An ex-Big Lots warehouse for cheap consumer junk is bought by ICE to ship as many as 7,500 handcuffed human beings, as the Trump regime builds a U.S. gulag archipelago
The unthinkable comes to Pa. coal country. My special report www.inquirer.com/opinion/ice-...
The unthinkable comes to Pa. coal country. My special report www.inquirer.com/opinion/ice-...
From Big Lots to warehousing humans: ICE plan sparks fear in Schuylkill County | Will Bunch
A massive warehouse in Tremont. Pa. that once moved cheap goods will now detain migrants in an $119 million ICE deal.
www.inquirer.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:26 PM
We are deciding right now whether we want to be a country with ethnic cleansing and concentration camps.
Reposted by Ben
China survived last year's US tariff onslaught, but there's nothing brilliant or heroic about how it did that. It simply flooded the rest of the world with an endless stream of discounted goods. Chinese mercantilism just turned away from the US to others...
robinjbrooks.substack.com/p/how-not-to...
robinjbrooks.substack.com/p/how-not-to...
February 7, 2026 at 1:07 PM
China survived last year's US tariff onslaught, but there's nothing brilliant or heroic about how it did that. It simply flooded the rest of the world with an endless stream of discounted goods. Chinese mercantilism just turned away from the US to others...
robinjbrooks.substack.com/p/how-not-to...
robinjbrooks.substack.com/p/how-not-to...
Feel bad for JD sitting through the Olympics opening ceremony. All the messages about kindness and inclusion were non-stop slapping on his face.
February 7, 2026 at 3:50 AM
Feel bad for JD sitting through the Olympics opening ceremony. All the messages about kindness and inclusion were non-stop slapping on his face.
Trump’s endorsement of Takaichi could now be a net negative coming Japan’s election on Sunday.
February 6, 2026 at 7:23 PM
Trump’s endorsement of Takaichi could now be a net negative coming Japan’s election on Sunday.
Reposted by Ben
It’s not just words/ memes from this sick tyrant. It’s his horrible racist actions brutalizing communities across our country. Trump has the Black and Hispanic community in his cross-hairs. This must stop. I’m running for the U.S. Senate to be the fighter for all Floridians.
February 6, 2026 at 12:55 PM
It’s not just words/ memes from this sick tyrant. It’s his horrible racist actions brutalizing communities across our country. Trump has the Black and Hispanic community in his cross-hairs. This must stop. I’m running for the U.S. Senate to be the fighter for all Floridians.
Is that because Amazon's "Melania" has turned out to be such a scandal that Mr. Bezos has to toss some red meat to Trump who had a long term feud with the newspaper?
“This is a case study in near-instant, self-inflicted brand destruction.”
www.newyorker.com/news/annals-...
www.newyorker.com/news/annals-...
How Jeff Bezos Brought Down the Washington Post
The Amazon founder bought the paper to save it. Instead, with a mass layoff, he’s forced it into severe decline.
www.newyorker.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:27 AM
Is that because Amazon's "Melania" has turned out to be such a scandal that Mr. Bezos has to toss some red meat to Trump who had a long term feud with the newspaper?
Reposted by Ben
There is not a chance in hell that the EU, Brazil, India or anyone else is going to work together to roll back Chinese influence if the first thing supposed China hawks in Washington do is collapse in a heap when Trump decides Xi is a great guy actually
February 4, 2026 at 11:10 PM
There is not a chance in hell that the EU, Brazil, India or anyone else is going to work together to roll back Chinese influence if the first thing supposed China hawks in Washington do is collapse in a heap when Trump decides Xi is a great guy actually
Reposted by Ben
The US immigrant population generated more in taxes than they received in benefits from all levels of government every year from 1994 to 2023.
The Cato study provides the first-ever 30-year analysis of the fiscal effects of immigration on government budgets.
https://ow.ly/jy8a50Y8kM3
The Cato study provides the first-ever 30-year analysis of the fiscal effects of immigration on government budgets.
https://ow.ly/jy8a50Y8kM3
February 3, 2026 at 5:27 PM
The US immigrant population generated more in taxes than they received in benefits from all levels of government every year from 1994 to 2023.
The Cato study provides the first-ever 30-year analysis of the fiscal effects of immigration on government budgets.
https://ow.ly/jy8a50Y8kM3
The Cato study provides the first-ever 30-year analysis of the fiscal effects of immigration on government budgets.
https://ow.ly/jy8a50Y8kM3