Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Phelim Kine @phelimkine.bsky.social · 1d

The White House is conditioning Trump’s attendance at the Oct. 26-28 ASEAN meeting on allowing Trump to preside over a ceremonial signing of a peace deal between Cambodia and Thailand. And ensuring that Chinese officials don't crash that party. www.politico.com/news/2025/10...

Trump seeks peace ceremony spotlight at ASEAN summit

Trump wants to preside over a Thailand-Cambodia peace deal ceremony — and Chinese officials aren’t welcome.

www.politico.com

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Phelim Kine @phelimkine.bsky.social · 1d

"What’s the exact nature of China's AI security threat? We asked four experts to break it down for us — and the answers run from the deeply wonky to the apocalyptic" www.politico.com/newsletters/...

Inside the Chinese AI threat to security

www.politico.com

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Phelim Kine @phelimkine.bsky.social · 2d

Kurt Campbell today: "Despite repeated attempts by U.S. officials to improve military-to-military comms, China has resisted establishing & codifying even basic rules of the road" bit.ly/47hPL1V www.politico.com/news/2021/09... That makes this 2021 @politico story evergreen 😬

‘Spiral into crisis’: The U.S.-China military hotline is dangerously broken

The Pentagon just had its first virtual meeting with China's military. But former officials warn the communications gap could lead to war.

www.politico.com

Phelim Kine @phelimkine.bsky.social · 3d

"Washington can’t easily bully Beijing any more. China doesn’t just have the ability to soak up punishment from the US in the form of tariffs and sanctions — It also has the strength to strike back" www.semafor.com/article/10/0...

Why the US may have to sue for economic peace with China

Despite the bellicose rhetoric often emanating from the White House and Capitol Hill, don’t be surprised if the two sides reach a pragmatic deal.

www.semafor.com

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Reposted by Phelim Kine

Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 5d

Quite an unusual public statement from the Dutch government last month that clarified ahead of Taiwan foreign minister Lin, that they would not meet him due to the One China Policy

(via @sehof)

www.government.nl/do...

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Reposted by Phelim Kine

SPRAVDI - Stratcom Centre @stratcomcentre.bsky.social · 6d

In the Khabarovsk Krai region of Russia, citizens will now be limited to purchasing only 10 liters (2.64 US gallons) of gasoline every 3 days.

This may be bad, but just wait until next week.

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Reposted by Phelim Kine

War on the Rocks @warontherocks.bsky.social · 5d

Russian drones are crossing NATO borders. What happens if one kills someone?

Listen here: warontherocks.com/ep...

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Reposted by Phelim Kine

Karen Attiah @karenattiah.bsky.social · 6d

Today, Oct.2nd, is the anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi’s murder by Saudi agents.

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Reposted by Phelim Kine

Harry Dunn @libradunn1.bsky.social · 6d

"The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves"

Rest easy Jane 🫶🏽

an illustration of a woman holding a chimpanzee with the words " least i can do is speak out "

ALT: an illustration of a woman holding a chimpanzee with the words " least i can do is speak out "

media.tenor.com

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Phelim Kine @phelimkine.bsky.social · 7d

Is Beijing finally willing to establish substantive and reliable U.S.-China military communications to prevent "unintended conflict" ? China's Def Min Dong Jun nodded in the affirmative to @rokhanna.bsky.social & @adamsmith.house.gov via @politico.com NatSec Daily www.politico.com/newsletters/...

Potential opening on military comms with Beijing

The U.S. has long struggled to foster reliable military-to-military communications with China.

www.politico.com

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Phelim Kine @phelimkine.bsky.social · 9d

“China’s move to stop buying U.S. soybeans underscores how Trump’s ambitions to use aggressive tariffs as a lever for better trade deals with Beijing have repeatedly backfired” Grace Yarrow @arihawkins.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2025/09...

Soybeans sacrificed in Trump’s China gamble

China’s freeze on U.S. soybean purchases hits a key GOP constituency in the run-up to 2026 midterm elections

www.politico.com

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Phelim Kine @phelimkine.bsky.social · 10d

"In the midst of Trump's tariff war on Beijing, U.S. soybean farmers are learning that China — long the predominant market for their product — doesn’t need them anymore "w/ Grace Yarrow @arihawkins.bsky.social @politico.com subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

POLITICO Pro: Soybeans sacrificed in Trump’s China gamble

China’s freeze on U.S. soybean purchases hits a key GOP constituency in the run-up to 2026 midterm elections

subscriber.politicopro.com

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Phelim Kine @phelimkine.bsky.social · 15d

ICC charges ex-Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte with crimes against humanity www.bbc.com/news/article... hrw.org/news/2016/11... Digong - if you're reading this, remember: I warned you this would come, sooner or later.

My Dinner With Duterte

hrw.org

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Phelim Kine @phelimkine.bsky.social · 15d

ICC charges ex-Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte with crimes against humanity. He had help in that murderous so-called "drug war." Time to round up his accomplices www.bbc.com/news/article...

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Phelim Kine @phelimkine.bsky.social · 16d

Global outreach by China’s internal security apparatus now matches or even exceeds diplomacy by the People’s Liberation Army. Huawei advertises that its surveillance platforms leave criminals — or dissidents — 'nowhere to hide.''" @sheenagreitens.bsky.social www.ft.com/content/5c42...

How ‘Safe China’ sells its security strategy to the world

Global leaders — and not just autocrats — are lining up to learn about Beijing’s policing tactics and surveillance state

www.ft.com

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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 17d

South Korea digs in its heels as US pressures it for a blank check – Hankyoreh: ‘many in and adjacent to the South Korean administration are staking out a hard-line position that Korea would be better off accepting a 25% tariff on its exports to the US than bowing to unreasonable demands.’

[News analysis] Korea digs in its heels as US pressures it for a blank check

US demands for free rein over the US$350 billion in investments that Korea pledged have prompted some in the Korean government to deem it preferable to accept the 25% tariff rather than bow to unreaso...

english.hani.co.kr

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Phelim Kine @phelimkine.bsky.social · 18d

TikTok deal? Hurry up and wait, folks. "TikTok matters much more to the U.S. than to the Chinese side, so this is a relatively low-cost way for China to bait the Trump administration into a summit. www.politico.com/newsletters/...

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James Murray @james-bg.bsky.social · 20d

Second major survey this week shows that despite the talk of an 'ESG backlash' a large majority of the world's biggest businesses plan to continue to increase investment in decarbonisation and climate resilience. www.businessgreen.com/news/4519187...

Global survey: Eight in 10 top businesses plan to increase green investments

Capgemini poll of executives at firms representing $10.7tr in annual revenues shows most top businesses plan to stick with net zero timelines

www.businessgreen.com

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Phelim Kine @phelimkine.bsky.social · 19d

"Despite the administration’s rosy rhetoric, there’s scant evidence that efforts to arm-twist Beijing into a more favorable trade relationship are paying off" via @meganmesserly.bsky.social @ddesrochers.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2025/09...

As Trump nears TikTok pact, trade gains remain elusive

Trump poised to claim victory with TikTok sale “framework” amidst wider U.S.-China trade impasse.

www.politico.com

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Phelim Kine @phelimkine.bsky.social · 19d

"Think of it as the Walmart effect — China’s waiting for Walmart to run out of inventory stockpiled in anticipation of the expiration of the tariff ceasefire and the banks are all predicting gloom and doom when those inventories will have run out.” www.politico.com/news/2025/09...

As Trump nears TikTok pact, trade gains remain elusive

Trump poised to claim victory with TikTok sale “framework” amidst wider U.S.-China trade impasse.

www.politico.com

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Phelim Kine @phelimkine.bsky.social · 19d

SCOOP: A pressure campaign that seeks the release of two U.S. citizens from prison in China appears to be getting some traction with the Trump administration www.politico.com/news/2025/09...

‘We want our Americans back’ — US prisoners loom over Trump-Xi summit

Supporters of two U.S. citizens jailed in China are pressing the White House to put their release on the agenda of the upcoming Trump-Xi summit.

www.politico.com

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Reposted by Phelim Kine

Hong Kong Free Press HKFP @hongkongfp.com · 22d

HK Chief Executive John Lee will announce various measures to push for AI-powered governance when he delivers his annual Policy Address on Wednesday, according to multiple local media outlets. In full: buff.ly/IwCE7NZ

HK leader’s upcoming Policy Address to push for AI-powered governance: reports

HK Chief Executive John Lee will announce various measures to push for AI-powered governance when he delivers his annual Policy Address on Wednesday, according to multiple local media outlets.

buff.ly

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Phelim Kine @phelimkine.bsky.social · 22d

What's up with TikTok? I shared my views with @aljazeera.com on what the "deal" between the U.S. and China really means (or not...). mediaview.aljazeera.com/video/VAbaKI...

intv-usa-Phelim Kine21-150925

mediaview.aljazeera.com

Phelim Kine @phelimkine.bsky.social · 23d

China's Commerce Ministry today on U.S. secondary sanctions threat: "The U.S. attempt to coerce relevant parties into imposing 'secondary tariffs' on China over its purchase of Russian oil is a typical act of unilateral bullying and economic coercion" www.mofcom.gov.cn/xwfb/xwfyrth...

商务部新闻发言人就美方要求相关方面以进口俄罗斯石油为由对华加征关税情况答记者问

www.mofcom.gov.cn

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Phelim Kine @phelimkine.bsky.social · 25d

China committee chair @repmoolenaar.bsky.social asks all the right questions about Lebron James' romance with Beijing selectcommitteeontheccp.house.gov/media/press-...

Moolenaar: What Has LeBron James Learned About the Chinese Communist Party?

Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar responded to LeBron James’ tour of China—his 15th visit with Nike to the CCP-controlled nation. In 2019, James criticized basketball executive Daryl M...

selectcommitteeontheccp.house.gov

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