‘VICTOR B’ WRITES — How do clashes in Russia, between police and the public, look right now, when most other nations are struggling to maintain safe and healthy environments? Not good. Orwellian, in fact? The Russian government now requires issuance of a ‘QR’ code to every citizen wanting to walk…
Full Article RUSSIA UNDER COVID-19: FROM MOSCOW BUT NOT WITH LOVE
LILLY WEBER WRITES — With highly influential individuals like President Donald Trump referring to the coronavirus using the phrase the “Chinese Virus”, it’s not entirely surprising that Asian Americans are being negatively affected by such rhetoric. While the entirety of the restaurant industry has been hit hard by the shelter-in-orders…
Full Article CORONAVIRUS COLLATERAL DAMAGE: THE LONELY CHINESE RESTAURANT
NICHOLAS WILCOX WRITES – Since FIFA, the international governing body of football, awarded the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, more than a few eyebrows were raised as to just how the Persian Gulf nation secured the games. Rumors of bribery and corruption surfaced. So did stories about the exceptionally poor…
Full Article QATAR: FIFA WORLD CUP 2020 MIGRANT WORKER RED CARDS
While spring semester study abroad and global immersion trips have been canceled due to the ongoing pandemic, Tom Plate, clinical professor and Distinguished Scholar of Asian and Pacific studies, is continuing to facilitate cross-cultural learning experiences for Loyola Marymount University students. From opposite sides of the Pacific, LMU students collaborate with Yonsei University students…
Full Article NO ZOOM GLOOM: FROM LOS ANGELES TO SEOUL
TOM PLATE WRITES – On one hand, let me ask you: Would you be foolish enough to persist in advocating a balanced-sensible approach to the People’s Republic of China amid this murderous coronavirus-crisis for which so many blame the PRC? At a time when global suspicion and recrimination converge on Beijing/Wuhan…
Full Article CHINA VERSUS US: MAHBUBANI’S MARKER
TSAI ING-WEN WRITES – Taiwan is an island of resilience…. We have found ways to persevere through difficult times together as a nation, and the COVID-19 pandemic is no different. Despite the virus’s highly infectious nature and our proximity to its source, we have prevented a major outbreak. As of…
Full Article TAIWAN: TSAI – HOW WE ARE BEATING COVID-19
ANH NU DIEU TRUONG WRITES – In recent days, given the seriousness of COVID-19, the majority of Vietnamese students who had been studying overseas decided to go back home for a sense of safety and family. All must undergo 14 days of isolation before returning to normal life. Some, though,…
Full Article VIETNAM: HELPING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
ANNALISA DEL VECCHIO WRITES – Would it be right to describe the visibility of the Himalayas for the first time in thirty years as a good thing? Yes, in a way. The snow-covered peaks have been obscured by air pollution for decades, but the coronavirus pandemic has helped reduce pollution…
Full Article CORONAVIRUS CHRONICLES: CLEAN THE AIR, FLATTEN THE CURVE
RASHID AL ARMELI WRITES – With Coronavirus, all the movies about an AI (Artificial Intelligence) virus taking over suddenly became real. Until the news struck, all I thought about was what I was planning to do the next day. Suddenly the building I live in sent out emails about changing cleaning supplies…
Full Article CORONAVIRUS CHRONICLES: MACHBOOS, ANYONE?
FROM THE WORLDPOST (https://www.berggruen.org/the-worldpost/) — This week, the Berggruen Institute worked with former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who led the G20 response to the 2007-8 financial crisis, and other members of our 21st Century Council to gather the signatures of 165 prominent figures from around the world — including 92…
Full Article THE CRISIS: HOW TO FILL THE VACUUM OF GLOBAL LEADERSHIP
BELLARMINE COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS DEAN ROBBIN CRABTREE WROTE THIS TO OUR BCLA COMMUNITY AT LMU — At this time of Passover and Easter, made more poignant by our current circumstances, it’s appropriate to reflect on the meanings of these two most sacred of holy days. I’ve been reading articles in…
Full Article EASTER AND PASSOVER: ‘THE LAST SUPPER WAS A SEDER’
JOANNE PANG WRITES — During these chaotic times of COVID-19 self-quarantine, people will turn to video games to beat boredom. Avid fans of Nintendo rush to their latest device, Nintendo Switch, which is a device that can hold a large number of games providing hours of entertainment. It has sold…
Full Article CORONAVIRUS CHRONICLES: A HEALTHY WAY TO DEFEAT YOUR PANDEMIC BLUES
ZHI JIAO DANIELLE GOH WRITES — As America enters its worst coronavirus week, it is time to start reflecting on how we ended up on this perilous peak. Herewith, a possible to-do list for the future of the universe: 1. Stop blaming The general public seems to have settled on the theory…
Full Article CORONAVIRUS CHRONICLES: SIX RULES FOR THE FUTURE
NICHOLAS A. HORAB WRITES — Coronavirus has exposed the split nature of Americans. On one side – the neurotic, or the part of America that’s been deprived of their livelihood. The most obvious among them, aside from the infected, are small business owners, service industry workers, and even students. The…
Full Article CORONAVIRUS CHRONICLES: A GENERAL THEORY OF THE CRISIS
EMILY CAPOUYA WRITES – Everyday, I hear the same thing: “ Coronavirus is getting worse,” or “Are you practicing social distancing?” From the White House to local government, people have been mandated to stay home and self quarantine. Every day I ask myself if it is worth it. I am…
Full Article CORONAVIRUS CHRONICLES: DO YOUR PART