Alex W. Palmer

Contributor

Alex W. Palmer is a writer based in Washington, D.C. His work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, GQ, WIRED, and other publications.

Articles

Paul Heer on The Danger of Overstating China’s Ambitions

The former National Intelligence Officer for East Asia talks about why engagement hasn’t failed, it just hasn’t succeeded yet; why strategic empathy is so hard to do; and why the U.S. needs an approach to multilateralism in East Asia that includes China.

Deep State, Inc.

Last year, a nixed deal between the Solomon Islands and Sam Group, a Chinese conglomerate, offered a rare window into how Chinese companies often work in tandem with, and sometimes on behalf of, Beijing.

Hidden Talents

Now that Charles Lieber has been arrested, everyone has questions about his involvement in China's Thousand Talents Program — to include, perhaps, Lieber himself.

Is America’s Antibiotic Supply at Risk?

The United States no longer produces crucial drugs like penicillin. Instead, China, a strategic rival, now dominates the world’s supply chain. With a global pandemic and a fraught trade war, many are wondering if China’s pharmaceutical monopoly presents a national security threat.