Why the Pandemic Increases Risk of US-China Conflict

Americans across the political spectrum are responding positively to Trump’s attacks on China. Here’s why that’s a problem.

Former Prime Minister of Mongolia Retains Amsterdam & Partners LLP to Defend against Politically Motivated Charges

The following press release was distributed to media today. LONDON, 22 January 2020 – Chimediin Saikhanbileg, who served as Prime Minister of the Government of Mongolia from 2014-2016, has retained Amsterdam & Partners LLP as international defence counsel in response to a series of fabricated criminal charges aimed at weakening democratic opposition in the country and seizing […]

Departures Podcast: Doing Business in the New Chinese World Order

Over the course of the last few weeks, Robert Amsterdam has traveled to Toronto, Washington, and London to review the business and legal implications of China’s deepening role in the global economy with fellow legal and public affairs professionals. On the sidelines of the Washington segment of this panel series, Amsterdam had the pleasure of […]

Podcast: A Nobel Prize for Trump?

In the second episode of the Departures podcast, Robert Amsterdam speaks with Dante Disparte, founder of Risk Cooperative, to discuss the recent rapprochement of the two Koreas, the meaning of the trade war between China and the United States, Russian belligerence, and what we can expect in the year to come. Listen on Stitcher here.

Thailand’s Horrific Coup, Three Years Later

A friendly, caring nurse is tending some wounded people in a temple in Bangkok. Several have been shot, others are too traumatised to speak. Suddenly more shots crack out and Royal Thai Army bullets start raining down on the unarmed gathering. People start running in all directions, seeking cover. The nurse – a 25 year […]

Robert Amsterdam on CNN: Obsessing Over Putin Conceals China Threat

Robert Amsterdam speaks with CNN’s Richard Quest on the issues facing the new U.S. administration in its relations with both China and Russia.

The Gambia and Thailand: A Tale of Two Coups

For all of those committed to rule of law and democracy, the recent removal of Gambian President Yahya Jammeh from office is a most welcome development. Jammeh, who lost the December 2016 presidential elections in a surprise landslide to incoming Gambian head of state, Adama Barrow, had first taken power via a military coup in […]

UNCHR, Free Speech, and the Death of the King

The statement by UNHCR Thailand is completely unacceptable even if the lowest standards are applied.

Thai Democracy – A Public Execution In Two Parts

For Thai democracy Winter isn’t coming – it’s already been here for ten years. The deep freeze of the Thai people’s most basic freedoms and liberties began not after the May 2014 coup which installed the present military regime but on September 19th 2006. It was on that warm Bangkok night ten years ago today […]

Turkey and Thailand: A Tale of Two Coups

There had been coups before in Turkey but none like that which transpired deep into the night of 15th July 2016. As the helicopter gunships and F16 fighter-bombers flew low over the rooftops of Ankara and Istanbul, and tanks and soldiers seized crucial areas, Turkey’s citizens – despite being fired upon by heavily-armed troops – […]