I saw this article earlier today in the NYT about actor Nicholas Cage agreeing to return to Mongolia a dinosaur fossil that he had legitimately bought (paying top dollars for) but that turned out to have been stolen earlier from Mongolia. Following is an excerpt of the story. I wish people and governments around the world also think about returning back to China the … [Read more...] about Short Post: Returning Stolen Treasures
Opinion: In Fighting ISIS or Al Qaeda, We Must Take Great Care Not to Demonize Islam
[editor's note: this is a cross-post of an article I posted on the Huffington Post.] When news arose that the killings in San Bernardino last Thursday was probably terrorist related - that the perpetrators Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik had praised "Allah" and pledged allegiance to ISIS moments before they started their rampage - attention quickly shifted to the … [Read more...] about Opinion: In Fighting ISIS or Al Qaeda, We Must Take Great Care Not to Demonize Islam
Who Is Really Overstepping the Bounds of International Law in the South China Sea?
[Editor's Note: This is a cross-post of an article I submitted to the Diplomat a few weeks ago. I am wrapping up a more detailed legal analysis of the issues and aim to make it a law review article. I will cross-post here too that once that has been submitted and accepted.] When the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague recently announced that it would take … [Read more...] about Who Is Really Overstepping the Bounds of International Law in the South China Sea?
U.S. S. China Sea Provocation … What Next?
This story has been brewing for a while. The U.S. has been saying for months that it is going to challenge China's "increasingly assertive claims" in the S. China Sea ... militarily - by sailing warships through some of the most sensitive parts of the S. China Sea. Many have bemoaned when the U.S. appeared to deliberate and delay and delay. But yesterday, the U.S. finally … [Read more...] about U.S. S. China Sea Provocation … What Next?
Opinion: U.K. – the Bridge Between East and West? Not So Fast.
President Xi is visiting the U.K. this week. There are pageantry ... and some $60 Billion US worth of deals. British Prime Minister has made a big commotion calling it as the "Partner of Choice" in the West for China. I am sure the British Leadership, Cameron personally, believes that it is in the long-term interest of Britain to mend relationship with China. But I don't … [Read more...] about Opinion: U.K. – the Bridge Between East and West? Not So Fast.