James Lin

Abstract concepts like imperialism sometimes can be difficult to grasp. How do officials who have never stepped foot in a place make decisions about millions of people as if it were a pawn on a chessboard with such little thought? Khan's history answers part of that puzzle.

“There was something imperialistic about distributing territory in this casual manner—a handshake at Cairo, without any thought of what the people whose future was being decided might want” (27).

Though I see others have critiqued Khan for an elite-centered narrative, which I agree is shortcoming of a more traditional diplomatic history, Khan also focuses on why elite agency was crucial for Taiwan's current predicament. Take this other quote that resonated with me:

Khan is a gifted storyteller and included some quotes I appreciated, such as one about Chinese officials who were befuddled by the public backlash following Watergate: “How was one to deal with a country where a simple burglary scandal could threaten the head of state?” (122).

Sulmaan Wasif Khan. The Struggle for Taiwan: A History of America, China, and the Island Caught Between In recent years, Taiwan has been a recurring fixture in media headlines. Chinese military exercises and threats of further military action have made the Ta

I wrote a review of Sulmaan Wasif Khan's recent book, The Struggle for Taiwan: A History of America, China, and the Island Caught Between, for AHR: doi.org/10.1093/ahr/.... Khan's book was a highly readable history and an excellent intro for non-Taiwan specialists.

We're very excited to be hosting a visit by James Lin at the Centre for Chinese Research with support from @sppga.ubc.ca! His new book on Taiwan has lessons for the world about agrarian change, the food sector, and rural life.

Friday November 28, 3pm in the Liu building's Place of Many Trees

Publicity flyer for book talk In the Global Vanguard, November 28, 3-5pm at the Liu Institute of Global Issues (University of British Columbia Centre for Chinese Research)

For folks in Vancouver, I'll be giving a talk about my book, In the Global Vanguard, in-person at the University of British Columbia Centre for Chinese Research on November 28, 3-5pm. Many thanks to @profjulietlu.bsky.social!

I'll be giving a talk virtually on my book, In the Global Vanguard, at the University of Nottingham Taiwan Research Hub next Wednesday. Please feel free to join if you are based in the UK/Europe!

Thank you!

In the Global Vanguard, with Professor James Lin Professor James Lin from the University of Washington shares the backstory to his latest book and demonstrates how Taiwan's early development missions impacted Taiwan's own population in ways ...

I spoke to Josh Edbrooke at National Taiwan Normal University's International Taiwan Studies Centre about my book, In the Global Vanguard: Agrarian Development and the Making of Modern Taiwan. Many thanks to Josh for the thoughtful questions and discussion audioboom.com/posts/879447...

A Sense of Dread: Isolationists under Trump Lay the Groundwork for Abandoning Taiwan, Marking a Radical Departure in Foreign Policy Hello everyone,

In our latest post, we show how arguments that cast Taiwan as a "destabilizer" are troubling and flatly untrue. Taiwan isn't the one bending the world order. Taiwan's story deserves to be seen in its own right, not as a scapegoat. ampleroad.substack.com/p/a-sense-of...

A careful, deep dive into the complicated legacies of colonialism, war, and historical memory through Taiwanese veterans and comfort women of the Second Sino-Japanese War/WWII.

In my father's poli sci classroom in 1970s Taiwan, he would always call out the 'spy students' in the back: "Take good notes! Spicy bit!" The class would titter. Even the report-maker would look a bit abashed.

In this A&M student's righteous "Dear Leader" invocation, there was no shame felt at all.

Reviewing a book manuscript is hard work but always worth it when it's for a good press. Particularly excited to get my hands on @jamestwotree.bsky.social's book

Thanks for getting my book! (I assign Morris’ book in my undergrad class, and Dittmer’s edited volume has some good chapters too!)

Book review: ‘Straw hat diplomats’: The rise and fall of Taiwan’s Cold War development diplomacy - Taipei Times Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan

Honored to have @jamesbaron.bsky.social, who previously worked in the development field in Taiwan, review my book In the Global Vanguard for Taipei Times! www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...

Excited to read @heguisen.bsky.social’s new book Ghost Nation!

Call for papers: "New Directions in Taiwan History" workshop to be held at University of Washington, Seattle, on February 26-27, 2026. Deadline to apply is October 10, 2025. Please share widely! For application instructions: jsis.washington.edu/taiwan/works...

Excited to see the translation of Kaori Lai 賴香吟's Portraits in White 白色畫像 published in English by Columbia UP! Translated by Sylvia Li-chun Lin and Howard Goldblatt, commissioned by Ian Rowen, and a historical introduction written by yours truly. cup.columbia.edu/book/portrai...

This is a super fun wordle variant

Reminder: I’ll be talking about my new book this Thursday!

You can grab my book on sale for 40% off! www.ucpress.edu/books/in-the...

My first book review! I am grateful to @angusbylsma.bsky.social for closely engaging with my book. The critique is fair, and it's exciting to see how the book is sparking conversations.

I'll be giving a talk on my book in Seattle and online (hybrid) on May 15 at 3:30pm (Pacific). Please join in person or online! jsis.washington.edu/taiwan/2025/...

Counting Rats, Showing Progress Join us for a webinar by Dr Leo Chu that traces rat eradication's biopolitics in postwar Taiwan

I'll talk about rodent control in postwar #Taiwan tomorrow

www.eventbrite.com.au/e/counting-r...

Economist says China’s overseas assets at risk as trade war hits boiling point Yu Yongding, a former central bank adviser, says Beijing’s foreign holdings could become another battleground in the US-China trade war.

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SCMP: "Yu has been outspoken in his advocacy for the reduction of China’s US Treasury bill holdings and has advised Beijing to stay alert for any attempts to use the country’s foreign assets against it."

sc.mp/8tmps?utm_so... via @scmpnews

How Trump Offers This African Territory Its ‘Biggest Opportunity’ After years of building relationships with congressional Republicans and conservative think tanks, officials in Somaliland believe President Trump will grant their ultimate wish: statehood.

Taiwan has a prominent role in this story on Somaliland www.nytimes.com/2025/04/12/w...

Congratulations @jamestwotree.bsky.social! Looking forward to reading this very important book!

Thanks Venus!

Thank you, Tadashi!