Asia

Zohran Mamdani’s last Name reflects Centuries of intercontinental Trade, Migration and cultural Exchange

By Iqbal Akhtar, Florida International University (The Conversation) – When Zohran Mamdani announced his candidacy for mayor of New York City, political observers noted his progressive platform and legislative record. But understanding the Democratic candidate’s background requires examining the rich cultural tapestry woven into his very surname: Mamdani. He takes the name from his father, […]

China

Trump never saw a Wind Farm in China, but Beijing has half of all Installed Wind Capacity and will Eat America’s Lunch in this Industry

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – The dufus-in-chief perorated on Friday once again on wind power, complaining that the components are made in China but that “I have never seen a wind farm in China. Why is that? Somebody check that out.” His just-passed tax bill eliminates federal incentives for the industry, ensuring a vast slow-down […]

China

Why China’s Inaction on Palestine and Iran Weakens its Global Standing

Hamdullah Baycar

Karadeniz, Turkiye (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) – If China wants to rival the United States, it must stop watching and start acting. Beijing wants the world to believe that a new multipolar is possible, one in which U.S. dominance is giving way to a more balanced international order. However, if China truly wishes to […]

China

America’s worsening Solar Gap with China, which installs 100 Panels per Second

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – According to Asia Society Policy Institute Senior Fellow Lauri Myllyvirta, China installed 93 gigawatts of solar in May, along with 27 gigawatts of wind. She points out that this is equivalent to 100 solar panels being put in every second. China has passed the 1 terrawatt milestone for installed solar […]

China

The Current Iran War will Likely end Soon, but the Arms Race will Heat Up

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – The Al Jazeera bureau chief in Tehran, Abdul Qader Fayez, reports from “informed sources” in Tehran that Iran’s clerical Leader, Ali Khamenei, and his National Security Council have still not decided how to respond to the US attack on Iranian civilian nuclear facilities, though they want the response to be […]

China

Trump’s Middle East Pivot aims to counter China’s rising Influence

The Conversation

By Maria Papageorgiou, Newcastle University (The Conversation) – The US president, Donald Trump, claimed he was able to secure deals totalling more than US$2 trillion (£1.5 trillion) for the US on his tour of the Gulf states in May. Trump said “there has never been anything like” the amount of jobs and money these agreements […]

China

Ukraine, Gaza, Iran and Trump: Is the World on the Brink of a Major Disaster?

Farhang Jahanpour

Oxford (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) – The reports of the past few days are extremely worrying. The acrimonious and open split between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk will have major repercussions for US politics and for the rest of Trump’s presidential term. Consequently, it will also have a negative impact on international politics, […]

China

China, the ASEAN Nations of S.E. Asia, and the Gulf take up Palestine at Summit

Middle East Monitor

( Middle East Monitor ) – At the 2025 ASEAN-GCC-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur, leaders from Asia and the Arab world gathered under the glow of diplomatic language and cautious optimism. The joint statement from the summit acknowledged key developments — including the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion deeming Israel’s occupation unlawful, and praised […]

China

China’s Power Sector Emissions fall 5.8% in Q1, as Renewables rapidly Replace Coal

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Lauri Myllyvirta writes at Carbon Brief that China’s CO2 emissions over-all fell by 1% in the past 12 months, and by 1.6% in the first quarter of this year compared to Q1 of 2024. In the first quarter of this year, moreover, power sector emissions fell a dramatic 5.8 percent. […]