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Palmer-James-foreign-policy-staff-portraits-202226

James Palmer

Deputy Editor [email protected]

James Palmer is a deputy editor at Foreign Policy and writes FP’s weekly China Brief newsletter. Palmer is the author of The Bloody White Baron: The Extraordinary Story of the Russian Nobleman Who Became the Last Khan of Mongolia and The Death of Mao: The Tangshan Earthquake and the Birth of the New China. He won the Shiva Naipaul prize for travel writing in 2003.

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Articles by James Palmer
A photographer takes a photo of a pop art panting of Queen Elizabeth hangin on a wall with an exhibit card displayed next to it.
A photographer takes a photo of a pop art panting of Queen Elizabeth hangin on a wall with an exhibit card displayed next to it.

All the Queen’s Gossips

Review
James Palmer
Russian President Vladimir Putin walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, right, before a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II, in Beijing.
Russian President Vladimir Putin walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, right, before a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II, in Beijing.

No New World Order Here

China Brief
James Palmer
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, speaks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, speaks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.

Putin and Xi Have Different Plans to Live Forever

Argument
James Palmer
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Putin Pays Homage at Xi’s Summit

China Brief
James Palmer
New York Mayor Eric Adams marches alongside advisor Winnie Greco in the 21st Autumn Moon Festival and 12th China Day Festival in New York.
New York Mayor Eric Adams marches alongside advisor Winnie Greco in the 21st Autumn Moon Festival and 12th China Day Festival in New York.

Why Does China Care About New York Politics?

China Brief
James Palmer
A woman is seen from behind as she browses a wall of floor-to-ceiling shelving filled with books. Display tables closer to the camera house smaller trinkets, such as plush toys and small art prints. A poster hanging from the ceiling shows four men drawn in a manga style, with the text "Home Far Away" beneath them.
A woman is seen from behind as she browses a wall of floor-to-ceiling shelving filled with books. Display tables closer to the camera house smaller trinkets, such as plush toys and small art prints. A poster hanging from the ceiling shows four men drawn in a manga style, with the text "Home Far Away" beneath them.

A Guide to Censorship in China

China Brief
James Palmer
Three men and a woman are seated outdoors.
Three men and a woman are seated outdoors.

China Is Still Afraid of Losing World War II

Argument
James Palmer
U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang at the White House in Washington.
U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang at the White House in Washington.

A New Chapter in the U.S.-China Chip Trade

China Brief
James Palmer
A man rides a motorcycle on a flooded street in Miyun district, northern Beijing.
A man rides a motorcycle on a flooded street in Miyun district, northern Beijing.

Devastating Floods Highlight Beijing’s Water Problems

China Brief
James Palmer
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te and a few other people dressed in military clothing.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te and a few other people dressed in military clothing.

Trump Snubs the Taiwanese President

China Brief
James Palmer
A section of the Yarlung Tsangpo River is seen from above in Medog County, Nyingchi, Tibet Autonomous Region of China, on May 13, 2023.
A section of the Yarlung Tsangpo River is seen from above in Medog County, Nyingchi, Tibet Autonomous Region of China, on May 13, 2023.

China Starts Construction on World’s Largest Hydropower Dam

China Brief
James Palmer
A woman waves from behind the Chinese flag in Hong Kong.
A woman waves from behind the Chinese flag in Hong Kong.

How China Got Its Name

China Brief
James Palmer
An illustration of a red coin purse with the stars of the Chinese flag. A chain wraps around the purse with a globe decal on the end of it.
An illustration of a red coin purse with the stars of the Chinese flag. A chain wraps around the purse with a globe decal on the end of it.

Can China Replace USAID?

Analysis
Henry Tugendhat, James Palmer
Rare-earth minerals are loaded for export to Japan at a port in Lianyungang, in China's Jiangsu province, on Sept. 5, 2010.
Rare-earth minerals are loaded for export to Japan at a port in Lianyungang, in China's Jiangsu province, on Sept. 5, 2010.

China’s Rare-Earth Leverage Is Paying Off

China Brief
James Palmer
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun gestures to the press.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun gestures to the press.

A Distracted Washington Is a Win for Beijing

China Brief
James Palmer
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