Neysun Mahboubi
@neysunm.bsky.social
Administrative law/Chinese law. Director, Penn Project on the Future of U.S.-China Relations. Host, China Studies podcast.
https://global.upenn.edu/global-initiatives/person/neysun-mahboubi
https://global.upenn.edu/global-initiatives/person/neysun-mahboubi
Pinned
Neysun Mahboubi
@neysunm.bsky.social
· Jun 29
Exclusive | History tells us US-China ties will survive current rupture: Neysun Mahboubi
The leading academic finds grounds for ‘moderate optimism’ after leading a group of American students on a 10-day tour of China.
www.scmp.com
It was a great honor to share my thoughts at some length on how the landscape of U.S.-China relations looks to me now, especially through the prism of academic exchange, as part of the @scmpnews.bsky.social Open Questions interview series:
Reposted by Neysun Mahboubi
This is a moment when we will find out who is willing to call out obvious lies - and who is willing to let themselves by duped by them
January 24, 2026 at 11:22 PM
This is a moment when we will find out who is willing to call out obvious lies - and who is willing to let themselves by duped by them
Reposted by Neysun Mahboubi
Also, may I say that I don’t agree with people saying ICE and CBP need “more training.” They’re doing exactly what this administration has trained them to—impose a reign of fear in blue cities. They don’t need more training. They need to be ripped up root and branch.
January 24, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Also, may I say that I don’t agree with people saying ICE and CBP need “more training.” They’re doing exactly what this administration has trained them to—impose a reign of fear in blue cities. They don’t need more training. They need to be ripped up root and branch.
Reposted by Neysun Mahboubi
Thank you so much to @neysunm.bsky.social & @penn-us-china.bsky.social for bringing us to DC und to Jifeng Books for hosting this discussion!
For those who missed last week's timely discussion in-person, here's video of our program on "European Policy Perspectives on China" ft. Una Bērziņa-Čerenkova, @samgeall.bsky.social, @rudyakmarina.bsky.social & Konstantinos Tsimonis, moderated by @neysunm.bsky.social:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgIb...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgIb...
"European Policy Perspectives on China: Security, Investment, Climate, Development" - 季風人文講壇第94期
YouTube video by JF Books 季風書園
www.youtube.com
January 20, 2026 at 10:54 AM
Thank you so much to @neysunm.bsky.social & @penn-us-china.bsky.social for bringing us to DC und to Jifeng Books for hosting this discussion!
Reposted by Neysun Mahboubi
For those who missed last week's timely discussion in-person, here's video of our program on "European Policy Perspectives on China" ft. Una Bērziņa-Čerenkova, @samgeall.bsky.social, @rudyakmarina.bsky.social & Konstantinos Tsimonis, moderated by @neysunm.bsky.social:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgIb...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgIb...
"European Policy Perspectives on China: Security, Investment, Climate, Development" - 季風人文講壇第94期
YouTube video by JF Books 季風書園
www.youtube.com
January 19, 2026 at 5:58 PM
For those who missed last week's timely discussion in-person, here's video of our program on "European Policy Perspectives on China" ft. Una Bērziņa-Čerenkova, @samgeall.bsky.social, @rudyakmarina.bsky.social & Konstantinos Tsimonis, moderated by @neysunm.bsky.social:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgIb...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgIb...
Reposted by Neysun Mahboubi
Greenland could be the moment when EU becomes a geo-economic superpower. It has long had the economic might but lacked the political will. Today’s leaders meeting will be decisive.
“The EU's anti-coercion instrument is the bloc's most powerful retaliatory tool, designed to respond to deliberate coercive actions from third countries that use trade measures to pressure the policy choices of the EU or its members.”
Macron to Seek Use of EU Anti-Coercion Instrument Against US
French President Emmanuel Macron will request the activation of the European Union’s anti-coercion instrument after US President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on European countries over Greenland...
www.bloomberg.com
January 18, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Greenland could be the moment when EU becomes a geo-economic superpower. It has long had the economic might but lacked the political will. Today’s leaders meeting will be decisive.
Reposted by Neysun Mahboubi
All key European leaders now said they won’t go along with this. So if the objective was coercion it has already failed. (This is not a US miscalculation- its a very Trumpian one).
Keir Starmer often takes 2-3 days to issue very mild criticism of US actions. This is both direct and issued fast.
I think there is a serious risk that the US miscalculated quite what a big deal the Greenland thing is to Europe (and in Europe).
I think there is a serious risk that the US miscalculated quite what a big deal the Greenland thing is to Europe (and in Europe).
NEW - Starmer says US "completely wrong" in threatening tariffs over Greenland
January 17, 2026 at 9:11 PM
All key European leaders now said they won’t go along with this. So if the objective was coercion it has already failed. (This is not a US miscalculation- its a very Trumpian one).
Reposted by Neysun Mahboubi
It has been our great privilege to convene this exceptional group of leading experts on China, from throughout Europe and the UK, in Washington DC this week for a very full range of dialogues about current prospects and challenges for Transatlantic coordination on China policy.
January 16, 2026 at 4:23 PM
It has been our great privilege to convene this exceptional group of leading experts on China, from throughout Europe and the UK, in Washington DC this week for a very full range of dialogues about current prospects and challenges for Transatlantic coordination on China policy.
Reposted by Neysun Mahboubi
In Iran, “it has become essentially impossible for the majority of the population to make ends meet,” Fatemeh Shams, an associate professor of Persian literature at the University of Pennsylvania, tells Isaac Chotiner. newyorkermag.visitlink.me/KbpEdX
What Makes the Iranian Protests Different This Time
Unrest has spread across the Islamic Republic as it faces economic disaster at home and a profound weakening of its network of regional allies.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
January 11, 2026 at 12:30 AM
In Iran, “it has become essentially impossible for the majority of the population to make ends meet,” Fatemeh Shams, an associate professor of Persian literature at the University of Pennsylvania, tells Isaac Chotiner. newyorkermag.visitlink.me/KbpEdX
Reposted by Neysun Mahboubi
I can't describe how bad Minneapolis feels right now. My neighbors are pulling kids out of school. The public schools are offering remote learning until 2/12. We are having conversations in our alleys about how to protect ourselves. It feels like a military occupation with a blockade.
The US Department of Agriculture suspends all federal funding to Minnesota, effective immediately.
January 10, 2026 at 4:29 PM
I can't describe how bad Minneapolis feels right now. My neighbors are pulling kids out of school. The public schools are offering remote learning until 2/12. We are having conversations in our alleys about how to protect ourselves. It feels like a military occupation with a blockade.
Reposted by Neysun Mahboubi
A country that blows up foreign fishing boats for no reason is one that will shoot its own citizens for no reason.
January 8, 2026 at 4:27 AM
A country that blows up foreign fishing boats for no reason is one that will shoot its own citizens for no reason.
Reposted by Neysun Mahboubi
It’s genuinely wild that the United States spent decades building an elaborate rules-based international order which de facto cemented its permanent status as the dominant global hegemon, sustained by ideology rather than might, and now is just blowing it all up for literally no reason
January 6, 2026 at 12:35 AM
It’s genuinely wild that the United States spent decades building an elaborate rules-based international order which de facto cemented its permanent status as the dominant global hegemon, sustained by ideology rather than might, and now is just blowing it all up for literally no reason
Reposted by Neysun Mahboubi
We are thrilled to announce the Fellows of the Transpacific and Asian Dialogue on China, a new initiative designed to contribute to policy deliberations across the Asia-Pacific region over the novel & complex challenges posed by China’s rise. Read more at: global.upenn.edu/future-of-us...
December 29, 2025 at 1:36 PM
We are thrilled to announce the Fellows of the Transpacific and Asian Dialogue on China, a new initiative designed to contribute to policy deliberations across the Asia-Pacific region over the novel & complex challenges posed by China’s rise. Read more at: global.upenn.edu/future-of-us...
Reposted by Neysun Mahboubi
ICYMI - The FBI No. 2 will return to spreading conspiracy theories on his podcast after finding the work of combating real crimes tedious and taxing on his personal life
edition.cnn.com/2025/12/17/p...
edition.cnn.com/2025/12/17/p...
Dan Bongino plans to step down as FBI deputy director in January | CNN Politics
Deputy FBI director Dan Bongino is stepping down soon from the job after eight months marked by clashes with his boss, Attorney General Pamela Bondi, and fighting off the conspiracies he once fueled.
edition.cnn.com
December 29, 2025 at 6:35 AM
ICYMI - The FBI No. 2 will return to spreading conspiracy theories on his podcast after finding the work of combating real crimes tedious and taxing on his personal life
edition.cnn.com/2025/12/17/p...
edition.cnn.com/2025/12/17/p...
Reposted by Neysun Mahboubi
"With astonishing speed, the administration has toppled the most cherished pillars of a free society." A must-read from @radleybalko.bsky.social , even if you've been following Trump's use of immigration enforcement to terrorize communities. newrepublic.com/article/2042...
Trump’s Immigration Nightmare: It Is Happening Here
With astonishing speed, the administration has toppled the most cherished pillars of a free society. And the experts agree: It’s all going to get much, much worse.
newrepublic.com
December 28, 2025 at 10:39 AM
"With astonishing speed, the administration has toppled the most cherished pillars of a free society." A must-read from @radleybalko.bsky.social , even if you've been following Trump's use of immigration enforcement to terrorize communities. newrepublic.com/article/2042...
Reposted by Neysun Mahboubi
Following a highly competitive process, we are so pleased to announce the hiring of Mackenzie Miller @mgmillerpenn.bsky.social as our Project's Program Manager!
Read the full announcement at:
global.upenn.edu/future-of-us...
Read the full announcement at:
global.upenn.edu/future-of-us...
December 24, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Following a highly competitive process, we are so pleased to announce the hiring of Mackenzie Miller @mgmillerpenn.bsky.social as our Project's Program Manager!
Read the full announcement at:
global.upenn.edu/future-of-us...
Read the full announcement at:
global.upenn.edu/future-of-us...
Reposted by Neysun Mahboubi
Thank you for the kind shoutout from Mark Sidel & @kaiserkuo.bsky.social on the latest episode of the Sinica Podcast, referencing our dialogues in China as “the most successful series of engagements across academic and policy fronts of almost any U.S. organization.”
open.substack.com/pub/sinica/p...
open.substack.com/pub/sinica/p...
Transcript | Mark Sidel on China's Oversight of Foreign NGOs: Eight Years of the Overseas NGO Law
This week on Sinica, I speak with Mark Sidel, the Doyle Bascom Professor of Law and Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a senior fellow at the International Center for Not for Pr...
open.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Thank you for the kind shoutout from Mark Sidel & @kaiserkuo.bsky.social on the latest episode of the Sinica Podcast, referencing our dialogues in China as “the most successful series of engagements across academic and policy fronts of almost any U.S. organization.”
open.substack.com/pub/sinica/p...
open.substack.com/pub/sinica/p...
Reposted by Neysun Mahboubi
6 simple steps to reduce American leadership in science
1 - Lay off staff & rotators
2 - Try to reduce IDC
3 - Terminate & freeze grants
4 - Reduce programs & GRFP fellowships
5 - Propose a >50% FY26 budget cut
6 - Run merit review, without enough expert reviewers:
www.science.org/content/arti...
1 - Lay off staff & rotators
2 - Try to reduce IDC
3 - Terminate & freeze grants
4 - Reduce programs & GRFP fellowships
5 - Propose a >50% FY26 budget cut
6 - Run merit review, without enough expert reviewers:
www.science.org/content/arti...
NSF pares down grant-review process, reducing influence of outside scientists
Memo cites overburdened staff, but some say move also aims to elevate White House priorities
www.science.org
December 16, 2025 at 2:34 AM
6 simple steps to reduce American leadership in science
1 - Lay off staff & rotators
2 - Try to reduce IDC
3 - Terminate & freeze grants
4 - Reduce programs & GRFP fellowships
5 - Propose a >50% FY26 budget cut
6 - Run merit review, without enough expert reviewers:
www.science.org/content/arti...
1 - Lay off staff & rotators
2 - Try to reduce IDC
3 - Terminate & freeze grants
4 - Reduce programs & GRFP fellowships
5 - Propose a >50% FY26 budget cut
6 - Run merit review, without enough expert reviewers:
www.science.org/content/arti...
Our conversation is also posted audio-only on SoundCloud at soundcloud.com/user-8653541...
December 16, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Our conversation is also posted audio-only on SoundCloud at soundcloud.com/user-8653541...
Reposted by Neysun Mahboubi
A wonderful chance to honor and reminisce about our mentor and friend Prof. Jerome Cohen. A life well lived and a major impact on so many!
Prof. Jerome Alan Cohen (1930-2025) was a towering figure in the study of Chinese law. The Zhengfawei x.com/Zhengfawei80 returns to discuss his life & legacy w/Standing Committee members me, @margaretklewis.bsky.social, Mary Gallagher, @greenlawchina.bsky.social joined by Hualing Fu & Helena Kolena.
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Jerome Alan Cohen
YouTube video by Zhengfawei
www.youtube.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:52 PM
A wonderful chance to honor and reminisce about our mentor and friend Prof. Jerome Cohen. A life well lived and a major impact on so many!
Prof. Jerome Alan Cohen (1930-2025) was a towering figure in the study of Chinese law. The Zhengfawei x.com/Zhengfawei80 returns to discuss his life & legacy w/Standing Committee members me, @margaretklewis.bsky.social, Mary Gallagher, @greenlawchina.bsky.social joined by Hualing Fu & Helena Kolena.
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Jerome Alan Cohen
YouTube video by Zhengfawei
www.youtube.com
December 13, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Prof. Jerome Alan Cohen (1930-2025) was a towering figure in the study of Chinese law. The Zhengfawei x.com/Zhengfawei80 returns to discuss his life & legacy w/Standing Committee members me, @margaretklewis.bsky.social, Mary Gallagher, @greenlawchina.bsky.social joined by Hualing Fu & Helena Kolena.
The 3rd annual lecture in my sister Mona’s name @medstarhealth.bsky.social was delivered last month by the great vaccine scientist @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social on “Global Vaccines and Immunizations in a Time of Climate Change, Megacities, and Anti-Science". Video now posted at: vimeo.com/1144358830
Dr. Peter J. Hotez, "Global Vaccines and Immunizations in a Time of Climate Change, Megacities, and Anti-Science"
The third annual Dr. Mona Aryaneh Mahboubi Global Health and Pediatric Infectious Disease Endowed Lecture, held at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, November…
vimeo.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:09 PM
The 3rd annual lecture in my sister Mona’s name @medstarhealth.bsky.social was delivered last month by the great vaccine scientist @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social on “Global Vaccines and Immunizations in a Time of Climate Change, Megacities, and Anti-Science". Video now posted at: vimeo.com/1144358830
Reposted by Neysun Mahboubi
Here’s the video of Thursday’s wide-ranging discussion ft. Mary Gallagher, @mattingly.bsky.social, Meg Rithmire, & @rorytruex.bsky.social in conversation with @neysunm.bsky.social about the present state of bilateral relations after the Trump-Xi meeting in Korea:
youtube.com/watch?v=Jt7H...
youtube.com/watch?v=Jt7H...
A New Chapter in U.S.-China Relations? After the Trump-Xi Meeting in Korea
YouTube video by Penn Project on the Future of U.S.-China Relations
youtube.com
December 6, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Here’s the video of Thursday’s wide-ranging discussion ft. Mary Gallagher, @mattingly.bsky.social, Meg Rithmire, & @rorytruex.bsky.social in conversation with @neysunm.bsky.social about the present state of bilateral relations after the Trump-Xi meeting in Korea:
youtube.com/watch?v=Jt7H...
youtube.com/watch?v=Jt7H...
Reposted by Neysun Mahboubi
What’s next for U.S.-China relations following the Trump-Xi meeting in Korea? In Thursday's webinar, five of our alumni fellows (Mary Gallagher, @profangelhsu.bsky.social, @mattingly.bsky.social, Meg Rithmire, @rorytruex.bsky.social) will comment on the present state of the bilateral relationship.
December 1, 2025 at 6:37 PM
What’s next for U.S.-China relations following the Trump-Xi meeting in Korea? In Thursday's webinar, five of our alumni fellows (Mary Gallagher, @profangelhsu.bsky.social, @mattingly.bsky.social, Meg Rithmire, @rorytruex.bsky.social) will comment on the present state of the bilateral relationship.
Reposted by Neysun Mahboubi
This is what postliberalism gets you: unrestrained executive power and abandonment of rule of law begets killing for killing’s sake. No purpose, no meaning. Just the cruel whims of the autocrat.
November 30, 2025 at 5:48 PM
This is what postliberalism gets you: unrestrained executive power and abandonment of rule of law begets killing for killing’s sake. No purpose, no meaning. Just the cruel whims of the autocrat.
Reposted by Neysun Mahboubi
The MAGA Civil War is tremendous content.
November 30, 2025 at 3:23 PM
The MAGA Civil War is tremendous content.