This was driven by several strategic motivations: Triangular diplomacy was the primary driver. By establishing ties with China, Nixon and his National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger aimed to exploit the Sino-Soviet split—the growing rift between the Soviet Union and China. Playing the two communist powers against each other gave the US leverage in Cold WarContinue reading “Normalisation with China in 1972 Nixon”
Author Archives: looi101
Board of Peace vs. UN comparison
Enforcement Mechanisms: Board of Peace vs. UN Aspect Board of Peace UN Primary enforcement tool Financial leverage: Withholding reconstruction funds and donor money from non-compliant parties Security Council resolutions: Can authorize sanctions, military intervention, or diplomatic isolation Who decides enforcement Trump (Chairman) has sole authority to interpret violations and decide consequences; no independent judicial bodyContinue reading “Board of Peace vs. UN comparison”
Cold War (from 1947 to 1991 roughly 44 years)
The term “Cold War” is a contrast to “hot war”: Type Meaning Hot War Direct military combat between nations; actual shooting and fighting Cold War Tension, rivalry, and conflict without direct military combat between the two superpowers The U.S. and Soviet Union never directly fought each other militarily. Instead, they competed through: The conflict wasContinue reading “Cold War (from 1947 to 1991 roughly 44 years)”
Controversies of China’s permanent veto seat in the UN
The Situation from 1949 to 1971 Year Who held the UN seat Who controlled mainland China Situation 1945-1949 Republic of China (ROC/Nationalist) ROC controlled mainland Normal situation 1949-1971 Republic of China (ROC/Nationalist) People’s Republic of China (Communist) Mismatch: The seat holder didn’t control the territory it claimed to represent 1971 onward People’s Republic of ChinaContinue reading “Controversies of China’s permanent veto seat in the UN”
Tik Tok
TikTok ownership as of early 2026 https://x.com/looidrawing/status/2039563577120498087?s=20 Presser(Tiktok US CEO) will work alongside board members including Tiktok CEO Shou Chew, Susquehanna International Group managing director Mark Dooley, Silver Lake co-CEo Egon Durban, DXC CEO Raul Fernandez, TPG senior advisor Timothy Dattels. MGC Chief Strategy and Safety Officer David Scott and Oracle executive VP kenneth Gleuck.Continue reading “Tik Tok”
Martin Luther
Translated Bible from Latin to German, made Scripture readable to ordinary German people instead of only to Latin-literate people and it let people interpret Bible themselves. The German translation of the Bible spread rapidly by printing. Luther’s language choices helped shape and unify written German across dialects.
Marie Antoinette
https://www.nssgclub.com/en/fashion/31310/maria-antonietta-aesthetics-fashion-beauty https://monarchyofstyle.blogspot.com/2015/05/antoinette-hair.html?m=1 https://blog.fabrics-store.com/2020/09/01/marie-antoinette-rococo-queen/ Queen Marie Antoinette, the last Queen Consort of France before the French Revolution often had extravagantly expensive hairstyles (Poufs). Once, her hair was styled to look like a ship. byu/qyyg inMonarchyHistory The Political Power of Marie Antoinette’s Hair https://www.girlsguidetotheworld.com/blog/marie-antoinette-queen-of-fashion-2 https://www.pbs.org/articles/marie-antoinettes-iconic-hair-wigs-history-style-and-influence https://www.history.com/articles/marie-antoinette-style-fashion-design-influence https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/19/style/marie-antoinette-fashion-exhibition https://www.fastcompany.com/3026116/marie-antoinette-as-a-hog-chewing-harpy-and-more-freaky-pics-from-the-french-revolution https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/95512505/ https://www.alamy.com/satire-on-the-french-revolution-british-political-cartoon-marie-antoinette-stands-alone-on-the-scaffold-in-front-of-the-guillotine-speaking-to-the-crowd-including-women-who-look-anguished-the-martyrdom-of-marie-antoinette-queen-of-france-octr-16-1793-28-october-1793-bodleian-libraries-the-martyrdom-of-marie-antoinette-queen-of-france-octr-16-1793-image184934586.html https://dangerousminds.net/comments/the_pornographic_propaganda_that_was_used_against_marie_antoinette/
Protectionism
Diversify by routes/partners: obtain goods from a wider range of countries, suppliers, or shipping lanes to reduce reliance on any single source or long-distance route (e.g., add regional suppliers instead of only one overseas supplier). More fragmentation: U.S. trade policy’s bipartisan shift: Implication: trade decisions are less driven by pure market liberalization and more byContinue reading “Protectionism”
Realpolitik
Realpolitik is a political approach used by policymakers that prioritises practical and strategic considerations-like national interest, power and security over ideology, morality or ethnics, in international relations. Originating in 19th century Germany and associated with figures like Otto von Bismarck and Henry Kissinger, emphasising achieving tangible goals through pragmatic diplomacy, flexible alliances and power balancing.Continue reading “Realpolitik”
Niccolò Machiavelli
“The ends justify means.” originated from Jesuit theologian. This concept is rooted in consequentialism, where actions are judged by their outcomes. Utilitarianism advocate for this perspective, deontological ethic firmly oppose it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niccol%C3%B2_Machiavelli https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thick_Black_Theory
Meandering leads to perfection 