Presented a lecture today at the China Centre of Jesus College Cambridge under the auspices of Prof Peter Nolan. Spoke on China and the Islamic World and South East Asia, under the heading “New Silk Roads and New Citadels – the dragon, the crescent and the mouse deer”. Smaller crowd as anticipated on a day when the virus is escalating and the markets tanking. But it was a high quality audience of academics, China experts, authors, participants of the Belt Road Initiative, graduate students and senior diplomats. Lively exchange of views on a need for an upgraded BRI 2.0. Did not expect that one of the “new citadels” along the New Silk Road is a quarantined world of lock downs and failing supply chains.

Formall Hall followed at Jesus’ old dining hall. Formed in 1496, Jesus is one of the more storied colleges in Cambridge with more than its share of colorful characters over the years. Took a photo with one of them, Prof. Nolan, under the austere portrait of one of Jesus’ most illustrious sons, the great economist, Thomas Malthus. Alhamdullilah. 👨🏼‍🎓🗺️📉 #lifeinthetimeofcorona

13 March 2020