Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs, was a featured guest on the WION Wide Angle special program ” Xi Jinping: Decoding one-man rule” on October 27. Professor Larus claimed that Hu Jintao’s abrupt removal from the CCP’s 20th Party Congress indicates that Chinese leader Xi will not tolerate factional disagreements in Chinese politics and appeared to indicate a dispute over the final slate of Party leadership candidates. She also indicated that Xi appears willing to sacrifice economic growth for stability and continue to persecute religious minorities. Regarding foreign policy, Dr. Larus claimed that China’s diplomats will step up their aggressive tactics, demanding that foreign countries and businesses obey China, and will seek to prevent India from moving further into the U.S. security orbit.

The program is accessible at WION Wideangle | Xi Jinping: Decoding one-man rule – YouTube.

Professor Emerita of Political Science Elizabeth Freund Larus

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Pew David Fellow for Peace at Middlebury College, presented her research 台美姐妹城市的合作 【US-Taiwan Sister City Cooperation】in Chinese at Middlebury College. Dr. Larus found that beyond being a convenient platform for cultural exchanges fostering mutual understanding, sister city relations serves as a useful diplomatic tool. Dr. Larus found that Taiwan local governments nurture relations with rising U.S. political stars who, as future policy makers, are likely to be favorably disposed toward Taiwan.

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Pew Davis Fellow for Peace at Middlebury College, debated Chinese officials on Turkey’s Turkuvaz Ahaber2 News. Dr. Larus indicated the U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan as part of her Asia tour does not constitute a change in the U.S. ‘One China’ Policy. Professor Larus argued that Pelosi travelled to Asia to demonstrate support for democratic allies in the region, not to change the status quo on Taiwan.

Larus research presentation

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Pew Davis Fellow at Middlebury College, offered a research presentation 台美姐妹城市的合作 [Taiwan-U.S. Sister City Cooperation] in Chinese at Middlebury College on July 21, 2022. Professor Larus indicated that beyond facilitating cultural exchanges and understanding, sister city cooperation is a useful tool for expanding Taiwan’s diplomatic space.

In addition, Professor Larus also spoke to media for several reports:

On Aug. 1, Professor Larus commented on U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan on Germany’s DW broadcast news program and indicated that although Pelosi’s Asia trip is intended to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the peace and security of the region, her stop in Taiwan risks greater Chinese aggression against the island. Read more.

Also on Aug. 1, Larus spoke with Newsy’s August 1 Morning Rush news program and indicated that Pelosi’s visit demonstrates U.S. commitment to a free Taiwan but risks retaliation from China.

Professor Larus offered commentary to Tin Tuc Vietnam news on U.S. President Biden’s July 28 phone call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and noted that  the high-level exchange demonstrated goodwill between the two sides, which has positive implications for bilateral relations. Read more.

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of the Department of Political Science and International Affairs, presented the research paper “American Hegemony and Risen China,” [sic] at the virtual conference “The New Bipolarity: Where Does Canada Fit into the US-China Rivalry?” Carleton University, Ottowa, Canada, May 12, 2022. The conference is available for viewing on YouTube.

Elizabeth Larus

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs, was the featured guest on the April 12 episode of the Australian talk show On Liberty. Professor Larus explained to On Liberty host Salvatore Babones and callers Xi Jinping’s agenda for China and the importance of Communist Party factions in Chinese politics. Watch the episode.

Larus also participated in the March 31 panel discussion “The Impact of Hong Kong and Taiwan on U.S.-China Relations” organized by the Asia Society and the Bush China Foundation. Professor Larus commented that U.S. businesses in Hong Kong have suffered a double whammy with COVID-19 and implementation of the National Security Law. She also indicated that the threat of military escalation in the Taiwan Strait is real but not immediate, and that the America Competes Act is a response to a national security threat posed by China. The panel discussion is viewable on YouTube.

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of the Department of Political Science and International Affairs, offered commentary on Russia’s war in Ukraine on Vietnam News. Dr. Larus claimed that Ukraine and Russia are locked in a war of attrition and that the war is going to last months or perhaps years. Dr. Larus indicated that supplying Ukraine with NATO arms will help Ukraine fight against Russia but will not lead to a decisive victory, and that it will be difficult for Ukraine, even with NATO arms, to undo the success that Russia has had in taking Mariupol and other areas in the east. Her comments begin at 13 minutes into the program.