- Geoff Dyer in the FT: The 'unwritten understanding between Beijing and Washington on America’s role in Asia is crumbling. China now wishes to recast the military and political dynamic in the region to reflect its own traditional centrality.'
- Why do Japanese people wear surgical masks?
- Electric car maker Tesla about to announce construction of a factory that will make more lithium ion batteries than all existing plants combined.
- 'Don't give an Oscar to this snuff movie': an alternative take on the widely acclaimed The Act of Killing. (H/t Browser.)
- The implications of the Chinese navy's recent 'Christmas Island cruise' for the South Pacific. (Thanks Danielle.)
- Two economics myths questioned: that there's a recovery in US manufacturing, and that Germany has imposed austerity measures.
- Ukranian opposition gathering in Kiev's central plaza reveals the role of urban design in political protest.
- In light of Kevin Rudd's appointment to a research position at Harvard University, it's worth revisiting some remarks he made there last year on China:
[youtube:Iui8cyZZjRE#t=103]