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Japan election: Recycling the past to ruin the future

Nostalgia for your country's past military adventures is a common tool used by politicians. But when those adventures included the killing of tens of millions of people in neighboring countries and the use of rape as a weapon, that's different. And when you propose reviving that army, that's a serious concern for the world. A…

March 7, 20260Comments ByRichard Cullen

Features News Opinion

Saving what’s left of Western liberalism

The geopolitical editor at the Economist, David Rennie, recently interviewed Alexander Stubb, the President of Finland, where they discussed Mr Stubb’s “plan to save the liberal world order” (link). Richard Cullen pens a brief report card highlighting some of the challenges facing this worthy rescue mission. WE KNOW THAT the enduring heartland of liberalism is…

March 2, 20260Comments ByRichard Cullen

Features News Opinion

Truth trumps fiction, as Donald trumps expectations

Evelyn Waugh was an exceptional English novelist. His best political satires were very good. Truth, though, can still outwit the best fiction, says Richard Cullen A LIVELY SHORT STORY published by Evelyn Waugh in late 1932, entitled “Incident in Azania” discussed events that unfolded on an imaginary, colonial island off the East Coast of Africa. …

February 3, 20260Comments ByRichard Cullen

News Opinion

Transcendental banditry

The Cambridge Dictionary explains that to transcend means, “to rise above or be more important” (link). It is a concept commonly associated with positive transcendence. But some find that violently imposing one’s will can also deliver a transcendental experience. Introduction We typically associate transcendence with rising above the daily grind to achieve enhanced, positive inner…

January 14, 20260Comments ByRichard Cullen

Features News Opinion

War and peace

The surge in China’s military capacity, especially over the last decade, has been the focus of increasing Western commentary, some of it measured, much of it alarmist. Many alarmists believe it is a truth universally acknowledged that any large nation possessed of a significantly upgraded stockpile of advanced martial equipment will want to use it…

December 31, 20250Comments ByRichard Cullen

Hong Kong News Opinion

As Hong Kong people mourn, western journalists rush to politicize tragedy

Journalist James Ockenden found forged fire safety certificates in the wake of the Hong Kong tower fire. Nobody shut him up - on the contrary, the authorities took great interest in his probes into building safety. The truth about Hong Kong's excellent response to a horrific tragedy gives the lie to the international media's heartless…

December 10, 20250Comments ByJames Ockenden

Culture Features Hong Kong News Opinion

Being open-minded about China cost me friendships

Long-term Hong Kong resident Richard Cullen reflects on politics, friendships and the Tai Po fire. I first arrived to live and work in Hong Kong over 30 years ago. More recently I began to reflect on the way expressing my own political views on Hong Kong and China has reshaped some long-standing friendships. The recent…

December 10, 20250Comments ByRichard Cullen

Culture News

FAQ: Is Hong Kong’s ‘Friday’ news project a commie plot from Beijing?

1. Hong Kong’s “Friday” news project is a commie plot from Beijing, right? Actually, no. It’s a project set up by Hong Kong people who think our city and our country deserve fairer news coverage. 2. But it’s bankrolled by the commies in Beijing, right? No. 3. So go on, then, we dare you: reveal…

December 4, 20250Comments ByFriday Writers

Culture Opinion

Is God antisemitic?

The Jewish people, some Jewish people say, have suffered so much over the years that it appears that God Himself may be antisemitic. Richard Cullen examines a curious debate. THE SHRILL ESCALATION in claims of antisemitism since October 7, 2023, explained by David Dixon, former Dean of Law at the University of New South Wales…

August 25, 20250Comments ByRichard Cullen

News Opinion

The shameless new Washington Consensus is drenched in blood

A shocking Pentagon plan for the US's open-ended dominance of the world, leaked in 1992, remains the underlying end-goal for the cluster of countries supporting Washington. But while China demonstrated a new way of governance, lifting 100s of millions of people out of poverty, the US has clung to its need to dominate the…

July 28, 20250Comments ByRichard Cullen

Japan election: Recycling the past to ruin the future

Saving what’s left of Western liberalism

Truth trumps fiction, as Donald trumps expectations

Transcendental banditry

War and peace

As Hong Kong people mourn, western journalists rush to politicize tragedy

Being open-minded about China cost me friendships

FAQ: Is Hong Kong’s ‘Friday’ news project a commie plot from Beijing?

Is God antisemitic?

The shameless new Washington Consensus is drenched in blood

Chinese legal system growing fast, with continuous refinements

China has opposed the idea of killer robots but others are pressing ahead

Behind the China EV advance, there’s a network of issues to consider