SOAS Press Office
@soaspress.bsky.social
Email press@soas.ac.uk to reach experts on Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
"Whilst European's can't just dump U.S Treasuries at the flick of a switch, its not like the U.S administration holds all of the cards either." Doc. fellow Alex Dryden wrote for @theconversation.com on the US depending on global bond markets. theconversation.com/who-really-h...
Who really holds the cards: Trump or the bond market?
The US depends heavily on global bond markets to fund its public spending.
theconversation.com
"The interconnectedness of climate change, state fragility and conflict is a complex adaptive system." Dr Folahanmi Aina wrote for @theconversation.com on climate change and its link to conflict in Africa's Sahel region. theconversation.com/fighting-cli...
Fighting climate change in the Sahel is worsening conflicts - new research shows how
Climate action can ease or add to crises in the Sahel region.
theconversation.com
In an article with @reuters.com, Dr Hassan Ould Moctar provided insight on migration across Mauritania and the Canary Islands - alongside the EU's migration control policies in the region. bit.ly/49quxBd
Migrants using more distant, riskier departure points to Canaries after Mauritania crackdown, Red Cross finds
Migrants crossing from West Africa to Spain's Canaries started using more distant - and potentially more deadly - departure points in 2025 following a crackdown by Mauritania on irregular migration, a...
bit.ly
📰 Inspiring the next generation through the arts. Listen to the new interview on BBC Radio London with SOAS-based organisation PositiveNegatives, discussing a new exhibition that communicates complex social, humanitarian and environmental issues. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Inspirit with Jumoké Fashola - Humanitarian exhibition by PositiveNegatives at the SOAS Gallery - BBC Sounds
Founding Director of PositiveNegatives, Dr Benjamin Worku-Dix, explains the exhibition.
bbc.co.uk
How have traditions of family life and relationships changed in China? Prof. Jieyu Liu's new book and research explores this, with South China Morning Post. Read more: bit.ly/4iLiNfv
‘Virginity battle’: Chinese women caught between old and new sexual values
Research by Liu Jieyu examining three generations in China finds traditional ideas still play a key role in sexual relations and family life.
bit.ly
How has the Indian Constitution endured? Prof. Rochana Bajpai writes for @indianexpress.com to mark the occasion of India's 76th anniversary of the country's Constitution Day. bit.ly/4p39VnG
Indian Constitution went beyond Western notions. This is why it has endured
Its makers were not bound by the limited imagination of Western liberal constitutionalism with its emphasis on state restriction, recognising instead that in society, groups and communities wielded po...
bit.ly
Director of the SOAS China Institute Prof. Steve Tsang spoke to @washingtonpost.com on relations between India and China as Prime Minister Modi travels to China for the upcoming SCO summit. bit.ly/47fVEOF
China welcomes Modi as Trump’s trade war draws rivals into détente
China’s Xi Jinping, who has cast himself as a reliable leader in a multipolar world order, is seeking to take advantage of concerns about Trump’s unpredictability.
bit.ly
Prof. Ha-Joon Chang was interviewed by @cnbc.com on challenging the traditions around economics and free market policy. bit.ly/4fPu4tQ
We have been brainwashed into thinking there is no alternative to free market policy, says Ha-Joon Chang
Ha-Joon Chang, professor of economics at SOAS University of London, discusses economic growth and challenges the orthodoxy of economics.
bit.ly
"A guilty verdict, could trigger a new round of political conflicts." Thai Law & Policy Fellow Verapat Pariyawong spoke to @aljazeera.com on the forthcoming verdict for Thailand’s ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra in a controversial royal insult case. bit.ly/3HJspsY
Judgement day for former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra in royal insult case
Looming ‘lese majeste’ court ruling holds royal reckoning for Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
bit.ly
Dr @nimersultany.bsky.social wrote for @theguardian.com on the urgency and need for further intervention in Gaza. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Netanyahu’s Gaza City outrage fulfils his messianic fantasy of a Greater Israel. The world must stop him | Nimer Sultany
This outrageous landgrab is ethnic cleansing in plain sight, says Nimer Sultany of Soas University of London, a Palestinian citizen of Israel
theguardian.com
As protesters and politicians call for the closure of asylum hotels, what are the alternatives? Professor Giorgia Doná, Dr Charlotte Sanders, and Dr Paolo Novak provided insight to @uk.theconversation.com Read more: bit.ly/4oqGDiY
As protesters and politicians call for the closure of asylum hotels, what are the alternatives?
Long-term use of hotels poses numerous challenges to those living there.
bit.ly
"The threat posed by low-price Chinese products to local jobs and communities, deskilling, and premature deindustrialisation is ubiquitous." Research associate George Magnus wrote for @theguardian.com on the instability of China's industrial policy. bit.ly/3UP8ls6
China’s Leninist industrial policy is creating instability at home and abroad | George Magnus
Overcapacity – from electric vehicles to high-speed rail to housing – is destroying profits as well as GDP
bit.ly
Professor Mushtaq Khan featured on BBC World Service to discuss plans for Bangladesh’s new political constitution and declaration for reform. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Newshour - Israel to let some commercial goods into Gaza - BBC Sounds
Israel has authorised the gradual re-entry of goods to Gaza via private traders
bbc.co.uk
Director of the SOAS China Institute Professor Steve Tsang provided insights to BBC News on the controversies surrounding the UK's new Chinese embassy. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Why an explosive fight erupted over the UK's new Chinese embassy
It will be the biggest embassy in Europe, if approved. But its opponents fear it brings with it certain risks and dangers
bbc.co.uk
"Despite these attacks on her integrity and person, Albanese maintains faith in the human rights law instruments." Dr @alvinahoffmann.bsky.social writes for @uk.theconversation.com on the imposed sanctions against UN special rapporteur, Francesca Albanese. bit.ly/3IM5E83
The US has sanctioned UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese – here’s why she’s the wrong target
UN special rapporteurs provide pro bono advice and expertise on vital latters of international law.
bit.ly
"The KMT membership seems to be increasingly out of step with the average Taiwanese citizen in terms of age and ideology." Prof Dafydd Fell commented in an article with @financialtimes.com on the fragility of Taiwan’s Kuomintang (KMT) political party. bit.ly/46WnGOS
Taiwan’s once-dominant KMT falls ‘out of step’ with the electorate
[FREE TO READ] Party that has failed three times to win presidency since 2016 faces reckoning over its ties to China in looming recall vote
bit.ly
Dr Kate Bayliss spoke on the BBC News 'Business Today' programme to discuss the UK government’s new plans to update water systems across the country. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Business Today - 21/07/2025
Bringing the latest business news and up-to-date informed analysis from London and around the world.
bbc.co.uk
With many of the biggest fossil fuel companies based in autocratic countries, where does democracy come into the climate debate? SOAS's Ross Mittiga provides insight to @theguardian.com . www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Keeping us hooked on fossil fuels’: how can we negotiate with autocracies on the climate crisis?
The bulk of global greenhouse gas emissions come from countries that are not democratic, and many big oil and gas exporters are also authoritarian
theguardian.com
Distinguished Research Professor Olivette Otele features on this week's episode of "You're Dead to Me" from BBC Radio 4, diving into the life and times of 19th century author Alexandre Dumas. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - You're Dead to Me, Alexandre Dumas: author of The Three Musketeers
Join Greg and his guests to learn all about acclaimed French novelist Alexandre Dumas.
bbc.co.uk
As Azerbaijan sets out to strengthen its position by forging alliances with Turkey and Pakistan, SOAS Professor Bhavna Davé tells @scmpnews.bsky.social what this means for its relations with Iran and Russia. www.scmp.com/week-asia/po...
From colony to kingmaker: Azerbaijan redraws Eurasia’s balance of power
The ex-Soviet republic aims to play a bigger role in the Caucasus and is willing to upset Moscow and Tehran in the process, analysts say.
scmp.com
Teaching Fellow Oscar Broughton featured on BBC World Service’s 'The Inquiry' podcast, discussing if Brazil’s ‘supercows’ can feed the world. bit.ly/4eEntBP
Can Brazil’s supercows feed the world?
<p>Brazil’s Zebu cattle, or “supercows” are bred for size, strength, and meat quality. Every year the animals are showcased at ExpoZebu, Brazil’s premier cattle fair. These animals are preened, pamper...
bit.ly
Professor Robbie Barnett shared insight with @washingtonpost.com on the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday and plans for a future successor. bit.ly/46kSj08
Dalai Lama lays out succession plan, denying Chinese efforts at control
The Tibetan Buddhist leader, who turns 90 on Sunday, appears concerned that Beijing will sweep in after his death to install the next Dalai Lama.
bit.ly
"Europe, is permanently at a crossroads. But this time, it seems existential as the region faces the challenge of fickle allies and stronger economic competitors." Professor Daniela Gabor writes for @financialtimes.com on the risks around the EU adopting the US's saving model. bit.ly/3TPMq3x
EU’s shift to a US savings model risks dismantling its social contract
Political choices should be debated democratically, not hidden in technocratic agendas of ‘financing gaps’
bit.ly
As China's network of preschools grow in Tibet, Professor Robbie Barnett gave context to @wsj.com on the history between the two nations. www.wsj.com/world/china/...
China Steals Language and Home Life From Tibetan Kids as Young as 4
Beijing is building a broad network of preschools across Tibetan areas, seeking to inculcate loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party early in life.
wsj.com
"This "good AI" myth is a key tool used by tech companies to promote their products. Yet there’s evidence that consumers are wary of the presence of AI in some products." Professor Arshin Adib-Moghaddam writes for @uk.theconversation.com on challenging the myth of “good AI”. bit.ly/468RdV2
Here’s why the public needs to challenge the ‘good AI’ myth pushed by tech companies
Big tech companies often push a positive view of AI.
bit.ly
“What’s missing is a bridge between the evidence, investable products, and connected-up approaches that encourage capital deployment at scale.” Dr. Harald Heubaum shared insight with @forbes.com on the missing pieces in realising the value of the world’s oceans: bit.ly/4mUPuZu
The $15.8 Billion Gap: The Smart Economics Of Ocean Protection
As world leaders meet at UNOC, it's time to get real about the rising risks, the low cost of action, and the need for bold leadership to protect the ocean.
forbes.com
“Xi Jinping does want to improve economic relations with Trump but not at any price.” Director of the SOAS China Institute Professor Steve Tsang shared comment with @newsweek.com on China’s reluctance to enter new trade talks with the US. www.newsweek.com/china-xi-tru...
Xi Jinping reluctant to meet "unpredictable" Trump: report
Trump "is obsessed with having a call with Xi," according to a news outlet, but China's leader would want assurances, an expert told Newsweek.
newsweek.com
"If a leader regularly threatens sweeping economic action but repeatedly backs down at the first sign of trouble, their credibility begins to erode." PhD scholar Alex Dryden writes for @theconversation.com on Donald Trump's credibility within financial circles in the US. bit.ly/3T3kyIP
Investors are calling Trump a chicken – here’s why that matters
Trump clearly resents the jibe – and if it encourages him to double down on bad decisions the economic results could be serious.
bit.ly
Food for thought this Friday 🍸📘 In a full-length interview with @thetimes.com, SOAS's Ha-Joon Chang talks about tariffs that work, making economics accessible - and why he loves a good Pisco Sour. #HaJoonChang #EdibleEconomics #FridayReads #Economics www.thetimes.com/business-mon...
Edible Economics author Ha-Joon Chang says tariffs can work
The distinguished research professor of economics at SOAS University of London wrote the book that blended the dismal science with the joy of food
thetimes.com
"You can't really have a bigger assault on academic independence and academic integrity." Prof Steve Tsang spoke to @reuters.com after a US judge temporarily blocked Trump's revocation of foreign student enrollment at @harvard.edu. www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKc5...
Judge blocks Trump from revoking Harvard foreign student enrollment | REUTERS
YouTube video by Reuters
youtube.com