Nico Luchsinger

Incoming CEO, @GDInstitute Fmr Executive Director @AsiaSocietyCH. Ex-medieval historian. Ex-journalist. Ex-guy who does something with startups.

[Evan A. Feigenbaum @EvanFeigenbaum]

In my view, too many commentators lean into geopolitical terms like “ally” and “axis” and miss China’s broader strategic intent. China’s approach to the Middle East, Latin America, and other regions is more akin to the market strategy of “portfolio diversification.” It avoids binding security agreements, viewing them as a vulnerability that could signal weakness and lead to entrapment. Instead, it has leaned into multiple partners and diverse offerings to anchor its position for the long term. This approach will now get a fresh test in two regions. But I predict that China will still have plenty of opportunities in both of them because of demand-side "pull," not just China-side "push." So I wrote for @CarnegieEndow last week on why presuming that Beijing will mirror Washington’s ways of thinking about the world is a fundamental error. https://t.co/ja3M33m2ii

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський @ZelenskyyUa]

We received a request from the United States for specific support in protection against "shaheds" in the Middle East region. I gave instructions to provide the necessary means and ensure the presence of Ukrainian specialists who can guarantee the required security. Ukraine helps partners who help ensure our security and protect the lives of our people. Glory to Ukraine!

[The GCSP @TheGCSP]

Welcome to our new Fellows with the #GlobalFellowshipInitiative! 🎉

👉 Mr Nico Luchsinger (@halbluchs)

👉 Dr Francesca Grandi (@fragrandi)

👉 Ms Ramanshi Dwivedi

👉 Mr Robert Piper (@UNPiper)

🔎 Learn more about the #GFI: https://t.co/vV6cULLLDp

[The GCSP @TheGCSP]

Our new Podcast Series, ReCentered, is now available!

Hosted by @halbluchs, it explores global shifts with intl experts, followed by assessments from GCSP experts.

For this 1st episode, we welcomed @suhasinih (@the_hindu) & Amb @ThGreminger (GCSP).

🎧: https://t.co/vOsgTrVNkI

[Nico Luchsinger @halbluchs]

@ConStelz Welcome!

[EU in India @EU_in_India]

A new chapter in the EU–India Strategic Partnership 🇪🇺🇮🇳
EU leadership will be in India for Republic Day and the 16th EU–India Summit on 27 January advancing cooperation that delivers for people prosperity and global stability.

#EUIndia #StrategicPartnership

[Shruti Rajagopalan @srajagopalan]

📢Excited to announce the 1991 Fellowship @mercatus - to find and back the next generation of policy thinkers working on state-level deregulation in India.

Funding, mentorship, and support to turn good ideas into policy.

Apply here: https://t.co/5UhBmJTsXC.

Deadline Feb 28.

[The Blue Roof @BluRoofPolitics]

BREAKING: Prosecutors request death penalty for former president Yoon Suk-yeol, who is charged with leading an insurrection with his Dec 3, 2024 martial law declaration.

[Suhasini Haidar @suhasinih]

India to host BRICS summit this year- with Xi, Putin, Lula, Ramaphosa and other members including Iran leadership expected.

[Georg ‘Maverick’ Löfflmann @gloefflmann]

Merz and Modi about to drop the deep house track of the year during their Ibiza takeover.

[Thorsten Benner @thorstenbenner]

Not sure which claim is more flimsy:

Beijing will be emboldened to use force against Taiwan because of Trump's Caracas venture.

Beijing will be deterred from using force against Taiwan because of Trump's Caracas venture.

Both claims don't hold any water.

[Monocle Radio @Monocle_Radio]

Monocle on Sunday: Tyler Brûlé is joined by @halbluchs, @ChandraKurt and Chris Luebkeman. We get the latest from @pburtsoff in Helsinki and Prashanth Shanmugan brings us the latest on the @LucerneDialogue
https://t.co/C69dwVVsCk

[Joseph Torigian @JosephTorigian]

Some very cool news: "The Party's Interests Come First: The Life of Xi Zhongxun, Father of Xi Jinping" was named a best book of 2025 by the Economist and a best history book of 2025 by BBC History Magazine

[Nico Luchsinger @halbluchs]

Thank you very much for joining us last week Desmond! It was great to have you.

[Desmond Shum @DesmondShum]

State of Asia: Thoughtful Voices, Meticulous Setup

Spoke at Asia Society Switzerland’s State of Asia last week — here’s my interview:
https://t.co/qRfcmaSrYW…

Each Asia Society chapter runs independently. This one stands out — well-funded, well-organized, and easily the best-run I’ve seen.

The organizers were meticulous. Ever been to an event where every attendee gets their own single sofa?

Great vibe too — felt more like a community than a conference.

Interesting to hear mainland Chinese speakers, though you can’t expect much deviation from the official line. Not their fault — it’s hard to speak freely when your career hangs on every word.

Also bumped into a Swiss collector with one of the largest modern Chinese art collections — I used to hear his name often back in my Beijing art-buying days.

The ladies who spoke on Vietnam and India were particularly impressive — sharp, grounded, and thoughtful.

Only wish they’d had someone from Japan. The country just got its first female prime minister, now riding a 70%+ approval rating and already shaking things up at home and abroad.

Overall, it was refreshing to see smart people engage with real curiosity and respect.

Photo credit ‘On Eyes Photography / André Hengst’

[Desmond Shum @DesmondShum]

State of Asia: Thoughtful Voices, Meticulous Setup

Spoke at Asia Society Switzerland’s State of Asia last week — here’s my interview:
https://t.co/qRfcmaSrYW…

Each Asia Society chapter runs independently. This one stands out — well-funded, well-organized, and easily the best-run I’ve seen.

The organizers were meticulous. Ever been to an event where every attendee gets their own single sofa?

Great vibe too — felt more like a community than a conference.

Interesting to hear mainland Chinese speakers, though you can’t expect much deviation from the official line. Not their fault — it’s hard to speak freely when your career hangs on every word.

Also bumped into a Swiss collector with one of the largest modern Chinese art collections — I used to hear his name often back in my Beijing art-buying days.

The ladies who spoke on Vietnam and India were particularly impressive — sharp, grounded, and thoughtful.

Only wish they’d had someone from Japan. The country just got its first female prime minister, now riding a 70%+ approval rating and already shaking things up at home and abroad.

Overall, it was refreshing to see smart people engage with real curiosity and respect.

Photo credit ‘On Eyes Photography / André Hengst’

[Dr Huong LE THU @le2huong]

At the #StateofAsia2025. Time of whirlwind geopolitics and volatile geoeconomics. No better place to take stock than on neutral ground of #Switzerland. @AsiaSociety

[Suhasini Haidar @suhasinih]

Looking forward to speaking at STATE OF ASIA 2025, where experts unpack Asia’s most important trends – and their global impact, with a special session on India, where I will be speaking, with @jamescrabtree and @MilanV
https://t.co/J0Iw3oXq30
#STATEOFASIA #AsiaSociety

[Dr Huong LE THU @le2huong]

Asia' high #diplomacy week+ has been a win-win-win for all involved.
- 🇺🇸 got deals w/ 🇨🇳 & others, Trump's photo op, Hegseth's #defence diplomacy followed.
- XJP got his own deals & reassurance from US allies & non-aligned alike.
- #Asean & #APEC hosts confirmed convening power