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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
Ilham Tohti lectures in a classroom in Beijing on June 12, 2010.
Ilham Tohti lectures in a classroom in Beijing on June 12, 2010.

Ilham Tohti’s Sakharov Prize Will Drive Beijing Crazy

Explainer
James Palmer
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam speaks at a press conference in Hong Kong on Oct. 16.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam speaks at a press conference in Hong Kong on Oct. 16.

Is Carrie Lam on Her Way Out?

China Brief
James Palmer
Chinese Vice Premier Liu presents U.S. President Donald Trump with a letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping after Trump announced a partial trade agreement with China on Oct. 11 in Washington.
Chinese Vice Premier Liu presents U.S. President Donald Trump with a letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping after Trump announced a partial trade agreement with China on Oct. 11 in Washington.

Will the United States and China Ever Reach a Trade Deal?

China Brief
James Palmer
U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He.
U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He.

Trade War Pause Leaves Few Happy

Report
Keith Johnson, James Palmer
A Chinese flag is seen on a display at the NBA flagship retail store on Oct. 9 in Beijing.
A Chinese flag is seen on a display at the NBA flagship retail store on Oct. 9 in Beijing.

Is the NBA Doomed in China?

China Brief
James Palmer
Yao Ming dunks at an NBA game
Yao Ming dunks at an NBA game

The NBA Is China’s Willing Tool

Argument
James Palmer
A man poses with fireworks during a massive parade to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in Beijing on Oct. 1.
A man poses with fireworks during a massive parade to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in Beijing on Oct. 1.

The People’s Republic at 70

China Brief
James Palmer
Chinese street vendors wait for customers at a local market outside a state-owned coal-fired power plant in Anhui province, China, in June.
Chinese street vendors wait for customers at a local market outside a state-owned coal-fired power plant in Anhui province, China, in June.

Why Doesn’t China Have Its Own Greta Thunberg?

China Brief
James Palmer
Pro-democracy protesters participate in a human chain event in Victoria Park in Hong Kong on Sept. 18.
Pro-democracy protesters participate in a human chain event in Victoria Park in Hong Kong on Sept. 18.

Are Hong Kong’s Protests Dying Down?

China Brief
James Palmer
A customer shops for pork at a market in Beijing on September 5.
A customer shops for pork at a market in Beijing on September 5.

Why China’s Leaders Are Losing Sleep Over Pigs

China Brief
James Palmer
People walk past a screen replaying Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam's announcement of the formal withdrawal of the extradition bill on September 4 in Hong Kong.
People walk past a screen replaying Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam's announcement of the formal withdrawal of the extradition bill on September 4 in Hong Kong.

Will Hong Kong’s Protesters Accept Carrie Lam’s Concession?

China Brief
James Palmer
Queen Elizabeth II welcomes the newly elected leader of the Conservative party, Boris Johnson on July 24, 2019 in London, England.
Queen Elizabeth II welcomes the newly elected leader of the Conservative party, Boris Johnson on July 24, 2019 in London, England.

The Queen Can’t Do Anything About Brexit

Explainer
James Palmer
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with reporters at the G-7 summit in Biarritz, France, on Aug. 26. Trump’s remarks on U.S.-China trade during the summit prompted confusion.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with reporters at the G-7 summit in Biarritz, France, on Aug. 26. Trump’s remarks on U.S.-China trade during the summit prompted confusion.

The Mysterious Case of Trump’s Trade Calls With China

China Brief
James Palmer
Protesters gather outside the Central Government complex after a march during a demonstration on in Hong Kong on August 18.
Protesters gather outside the Central Government complex after a march during a demonstration on in Hong Kong on August 18.

Decoding China’s 280-Character Web of Disinformation

China Brief
James Palmer
A pro-democracy protester holds a placard during a demonstration at Hong Kong's international airport on August 13.
A pro-democracy protester holds a placard during a demonstration at Hong Kong's international airport on August 13.

Can Hong Kong’s Protests Survive?

China Brief
James Palmer
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