Phelim Kine
@phelimkine.bsky.social
D.C.-based China correspondent @politico ; Past @hrw.org ; Dow Jones Newswires, Phnom Penh Post; China News (Taiwan).
New/old administration peeps: DMs open! Tips to pkine AT politico.com SIGNAL +1 212 810 0469
New/old administration peeps: DMs open! Tips to pkine AT politico.com SIGNAL +1 212 810 0469
Reposted by Phelim Kine
This column is much better than his previous one.
As President Trump chases Greenland, he seems to be running away from Taiwan -- and that risks tempting Xi Jinping and elevating the risks of a catastrophic war. My column from Taipei: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/o...
Opinion | The Island That Actually Matters to American Interests
www.nytimes.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:13 PM
This column is much better than his previous one.
China Committee Dem Ranking Member @rokhanna.bsky.social slams the 2026 National Defense Strategy for omitting mention of Taiwan. "It leaves the world guessing which of America’s allies Trump is willing to sacrifice for yet another empty trade deal with Beijing" bit.ly/3NzQchP
Ranking Member Ro Khanna Slams Trump’s National Defense Strategy as a “Gift to Xi Jinping”
Washington, DC — Ranking Member Ro Khanna released the following statement on the Pentagon’s 2026 National Defense Strategy:
democrats-selectcommitteeontheccp.house.gov
January 25, 2026 at 3:40 PM
China Committee Dem Ranking Member @rokhanna.bsky.social slams the 2026 National Defense Strategy for omitting mention of Taiwan. "It leaves the world guessing which of America’s allies Trump is willing to sacrifice for yet another empty trade deal with Beijing" bit.ly/3NzQchP
Reposted by Phelim Kine
JUST IN: In a new lawsuit, Minnesota officials say DHS mishandled evidence from today's crime scene and made "astonishing" law enforcement decisions. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 25, 2026 at 3:55 AM
JUST IN: In a new lawsuit, Minnesota officials say DHS mishandled evidence from today's crime scene and made "astonishing" law enforcement decisions. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Phelim Kine
A video of Alex Pretti reading out the final salute of an unnamed veteran he cared for until the end of his life in the ICU, posted to Facebook by his son.
January 25, 2026 at 1:18 AM
A video of Alex Pretti reading out the final salute of an unnamed veteran he cared for until the end of his life in the ICU, posted to Facebook by his son.
Reposted by Phelim Kine
Average age of buildings is now 34.1 years, the highest ever. There are large shortages of workers in construction and related industries.
taiwannews.com.tw/news/6288307
taiwannews.com.tw/news/6288307
Taiwan expands resident-led urban renewal initiatives | Taiwan News | Jan. 23, 2026 10:33
Amendments provide incentives as country's average building age hits 34 years | Jan. 23, 2026 10:33
taiwannews.com.tw
January 25, 2026 at 6:56 AM
Average age of buildings is now 34.1 years, the highest ever. There are large shortages of workers in construction and related industries.
taiwannews.com.tw/news/6288307
taiwannews.com.tw/news/6288307
Reposted by Phelim Kine
Right now, this is the most important publication in America.
Its reporting has been relentless and essential.
@startribune.com
Its reporting has been relentless and essential.
@startribune.com
January 25, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Right now, this is the most important publication in America.
Its reporting has been relentless and essential.
@startribune.com
Its reporting has been relentless and essential.
@startribune.com
Reposted by Phelim Kine
Yes of course unemployment is low. We don't have enough workers. Jobs go begging
Taiwan’s unemployment rate drops to 25-year low in 2025 – Focus Taiwan
Unemployment rate drops to 25-year low in 2025 - Focus Taiwan
Taiwan's unemployment rate fell to 3.35 percent in 2025, the lowest level in 25 years, down 0.03 percentage points from 2024, according to the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics ...
focustaiwan.tw
January 23, 2026 at 11:29 PM
Yes of course unemployment is low. We don't have enough workers. Jobs go begging
"The Strategy no longer focuses primarily on countering China. Instead, it blames past administrations for ignoring American interests and jeopardizing the U.S. military’s access to the Panama Canal and Greenland" @politico.com www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Pentagon no longer views China threat as top priority
The National Defense Strategy, a dramatic shift from previous administrations, reinforces many of the military moves already undertaken by the president.
www.politico.com
January 24, 2026 at 2:39 AM
"The Strategy no longer focuses primarily on countering China. Instead, it blames past administrations for ignoring American interests and jeopardizing the U.S. military’s access to the Panama Canal and Greenland" @politico.com www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Mich.) has basically become the GOP's last man standing in his willingness to speak out about perceived national security and privacy risks linked to TikTok and the deal the Trump administration sealed this week that will allow the app to continue to operate in the U.S.
January 24, 2026 at 2:06 AM
Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Mich.) has basically become the GOP's last man standing in his willingness to speak out about perceived national security and privacy risks linked to TikTok and the deal the Trump administration sealed this week that will allow the app to continue to operate in the U.S.
"Beijing and Taipei’s ability to navigate demographic challenges spawned by now-defunct population control measures may affect the outcome of potential Chinese aggression against Taiwan that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said may occur as early as 2027" www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Baby bust rewrites China invasion math
www.politico.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:35 AM
"Beijing and Taipei’s ability to navigate demographic challenges spawned by now-defunct population control measures may affect the outcome of potential Chinese aggression against Taiwan that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said may occur as early as 2027" www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Reposted by Phelim Kine
I am making a little hobby out of spotting AI written books served to me by Amazon recommendations and so far there is a pretty strong correlation between AI and right-wing politics.
January 23, 2026 at 3:05 PM
I am making a little hobby out of spotting AI written books served to me by Amazon recommendations and so far there is a pretty strong correlation between AI and right-wing politics.
Yikes. "China is now convinced that it is unlikely to see a U.S. president more indifferent toward Taiwan and more unlikely to intervene militarily in the Taiwan Strait than Donald Trump" www.foreignaffairs.com/china/perfec...
A Perfect Storm for Taiwan in 2026?
How a convergence of factors could tempt Beijing to act.
www.foreignaffairs.com
January 23, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Yikes. "China is now convinced that it is unlikely to see a U.S. president more indifferent toward Taiwan and more unlikely to intervene militarily in the Taiwan Strait than Donald Trump" www.foreignaffairs.com/china/perfec...
Reposted by Phelim Kine
Critical take of my weekend Taiwan column:
A view of @nickkristof.bsky.social's Taiwan piece. "What is it with old farts who spent time in Taiwan once upon a time — usually in Taipei w/o a lot of experience in the rest of the country — opining on Taiwan’s threat of war now and won’t read a single poll?" laorencha.substack.com/p/when-it-co...
When it comes to Taiwan, read a damn poll before you opine
Nicholas Kristof's NYT piece reads like something not just out of another year, but another generation.
laorencha.substack.com
January 22, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Critical take of my weekend Taiwan column:
A view of @nickkristof.bsky.social's Taiwan piece. "What is it with old farts who spent time in Taiwan once upon a time — usually in Taipei w/o a lot of experience in the rest of the country — opining on Taiwan’s threat of war now and won’t read a single poll?" laorencha.substack.com/p/when-it-co...
When it comes to Taiwan, read a damn poll before you opine
Nicholas Kristof's NYT piece reads like something not just out of another year, but another generation.
laorencha.substack.com
January 22, 2026 at 1:27 PM
A view of @nickkristof.bsky.social's Taiwan piece. "What is it with old farts who spent time in Taiwan once upon a time — usually in Taipei w/o a lot of experience in the rest of the country — opining on Taiwan’s threat of war now and won’t read a single poll?" laorencha.substack.com/p/when-it-co...
Reposted by Phelim Kine
China has the largest installed wind capacity in the world.
Trump: "There are windmills all over Europe. There are windmills all over the place. And they are losers. One thing I've noticed is that the more windmills a country has, the more money that country loses, and the worse that country is doing. I haven't been able to find any wind farms in China."
January 21, 2026 at 2:53 PM
China has the largest installed wind capacity in the world.
Trump takes time at Davos to lavish (his now routine) praise for Xi Jinping. Not sure how that might land in Manila and Taipei 🧐 "President Xi of China is an incredible man. What he's done is amazing. He's highly respected by everybody" www.weforum.org/meetings/wor...
January 21, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Trump takes time at Davos to lavish (his now routine) praise for Xi Jinping. Not sure how that might land in Manila and Taipei 🧐 "President Xi of China is an incredible man. What he's done is amazing. He's highly respected by everybody" www.weforum.org/meetings/wor...
"Starmer has a chance to come back from Beijing with something more than promises of increased trade and investment. He could come back with Lai, a man who put his life on the line in defense of freedom" @marklclifford.bsky.social www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2...
Fair trade: Jimmy Lai’s freedom for China’s very big U.K. Embassy
China will take over the Royal Mint building next to the historic Tower of London and spend over $1 billion building out its largest embassy in Europe.
www.japantimes.co.jp
January 21, 2026 at 1:27 PM
"Starmer has a chance to come back from Beijing with something more than promises of increased trade and investment. He could come back with Lai, a man who put his life on the line in defense of freedom" @marklclifford.bsky.social www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2...
Reposted by Phelim Kine
the barista serves the same role as the American man in the same way as the courtesan did for the Chinese intelligensia; a projection of femininity who will be infinitely tolerant of you being a failson.
This is it. This is The Great Filter. We've created Sexy Barista Is Super Interested in Watching You Solo Game (SBISIIWYS).
January 20, 2026 at 3:13 PM
the barista serves the same role as the American man in the same way as the courtesan did for the Chinese intelligensia; a projection of femininity who will be infinitely tolerant of you being a failson.
Reposted by Phelim Kine
If this report is correct, these people are absolutely brainless
www.newsweek.com/mamdani-chin...
www.newsweek.com/mamdani-chin...
Democratic Socialists of America pro-China Agenda Revealed
Members of the Democratic Socialists of America have sought ties with Chinese Communist Party officials to oppose "imperialism."
www.newsweek.com
January 20, 2026 at 3:28 PM
If this report is correct, these people are absolutely brainless
www.newsweek.com/mamdani-chin...
www.newsweek.com/mamdani-chin...
Reposted by Phelim Kine
It’s been almost a year since we published #MISSING, our groundbreaking guide for families trying to help loved ones disappeared in #China. This handbook is still just as relevant today. Don’t go to China without reading it first.
DL your free copy here:
safeguarddefenders.com/en/publicati...
DL your free copy here:
safeguarddefenders.com/en/publicati...
Missing in China
Missing in China is a tailored handbook offering readers crucial insights and practical advice on how to deal with the detention of a loved one in China, with a focus on foreign citiz
safeguarddefenders.com
January 19, 2026 at 12:40 PM
It’s been almost a year since we published #MISSING, our groundbreaking guide for families trying to help loved ones disappeared in #China. This handbook is still just as relevant today. Don’t go to China without reading it first.
DL your free copy here:
safeguarddefenders.com/en/publicati...
DL your free copy here:
safeguarddefenders.com/en/publicati...
Reposted by Phelim Kine
Because they are also defending Japan and Philippines, US allies.
And why do Americans constantly complain like this yet do nothing to address the issue?
And why do Americans constantly complain like this yet do nothing to address the issue?
“Why should Americans risk their lives and spend billions of dollars defending Taiwanese who aren’t clearly willing to make major sacrifices themselves?” our columnist Nicholas Kristof writes.
Opinion | How War With China Begins
Even more likely than an all-out invasion of Taiwan may be “gray zone” pressures, such as cutting internet cables.
nyti.ms
January 17, 2026 at 10:34 PM
Because they are also defending Japan and Philippines, US allies.
And why do Americans constantly complain like this yet do nothing to address the issue?
And why do Americans constantly complain like this yet do nothing to address the issue?
Reposted by Phelim Kine
We now have a full-blown European-American crisis, and for no reason that the president is able to articulate
January 18, 2026 at 2:08 PM
We now have a full-blown European-American crisis, and for no reason that the president is able to articulate
“No. We don’t see a threat from China or Russia today, But we look into a potential threat, and that is what we are training for.” www.politico.eu/article/denm...
Denmark’s Arctic commander rejects Trump’s claims of immediate Russia, China threat to Greenland
Copenhagen’s top Arctic commander frames allied exercises as precautionary, pushing back on claims that Greenland faces an immediate external threat.
www.politico.eu
January 18, 2026 at 2:26 PM
“No. We don’t see a threat from China or Russia today, But we look into a potential threat, and that is what we are training for.” www.politico.eu/article/denm...
China's relentless espionage ops in Taiwan. "A CTi TV reporter and 5 active-duty & retired soliders were detained Saturday for alleged involvement in a scheme where the journalist bribed military personnel to leak information to 'Chinese individuals'" focustaiwan.tw/politics/202...
CTi News reporter, 5 military personnel detained over alleged leaks to China - Focus Taiwan
A CTi TV reporter and five active-duty and retired service members were detained incommunicado on Saturday for their alleged involvement in a scheme where the journalist bribed military personnel to l...
focustaiwan.tw
January 18, 2026 at 1:11 PM
China's relentless espionage ops in Taiwan. "A CTi TV reporter and 5 active-duty & retired soliders were detained Saturday for alleged involvement in a scheme where the journalist bribed military personnel to leak information to 'Chinese individuals'" focustaiwan.tw/politics/202...
Reposted by Phelim Kine
2009 Sony phone with a transparent screen.
We didn’t deserve them.
We didn’t deserve them.
January 17, 2026 at 6:36 AM
2009 Sony phone with a transparent screen.
We didn’t deserve them.
We didn’t deserve them.