What is the #dailysoup?

Inspired by Pekka Kallioniemi’s #vatniksoup, the #dailysoup is a series of Twitter and Instagram threads (or entries) covering different stories of China-related and Russia-related controversies, particularly those related to political, business, geopolitical, and economic issues in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the mechanisms behind them.

The #dailysoup aims to expose controversial individuals, projects, and organisations that look good on the outside, but insidiously support the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) or Putin’s Russia or both.

However, I reserve the right to include controversies from other regions outside the Asia-Pacific region and controversies that are not China-related or Russia-related, as long as they are extraordinarily grave, interesting, and crucial.

The #dailysoup is the Asian version of #vatniksoup. The aim for the #dailysoup is to simplify stories of different China and Russia-related APAC controversies for the social media-savvy generation, promoting awareness and truth in the era of disinformation and “fake news”.

Feel free to enjoy reading the #dailysoup entries, which are indicated in the links below in reverse chronological order.

Phase 2 - The new #dailysoup

Phase 1 - The old #dailysoup

It is known for being a hotspot of maritime disputes between Malaysia, China, and Vietnam.](https://twitter.com/olliekarp/status/1705798731759845616?t=z5G7AUx9hFTSeQwot54PCA&s=19) | | Read | Read | Reef | Malaysia x China | X | | | | 35 | 08.06.2023 | Simon Saragih | [In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce Indonesian writer, academic, and political analyst, Simon Saragih.

He's best known for being one of the so-called Indonesian "academics" tagged by @RadityoDharmaP as "those showing pro-Russia views".](https://twitter.com/olliekarp/status/1688141207120277504?s=20) | | Read | Read | Academic x Writer x Journalist | Indonesia | X | X | | | 34 | 07.16.2023 | Defense Politics Asia x Wyatt Mingji Lim | [In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce a Singaporean geopolitics x defence blog, Defense Politics Asia and its managing editor, Wyatt Mingji Lim.

They are known for excelling in mental gymnastics and anti-West x pro-Russia peepotalking](https://twitter.com/olliekarp/status/1680527788841787397?s=20) | | Read | Read | Blogger x Political Analyst | Singapore | | X | | | 33 | 06.28.2023 | Carl Zha | [In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce an Indonesia-based Chinese-American podcaster, soc-med influencer, and historical revisionist, Carl Zha (@CarlZha).

He's known for his "Silk and Steel" podcast, as well as his anti-West, pro-CCP, and pro-Russia peepotalking remarks.](https://twitter.com/olliekarp/status/1673985048708612096?s=20) | | Read | Read | Podcaster x Soc-med influencer | China x US x Indonesia | X | X | | | 32 | 06.25.2023 | Smith Alhadar | [In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce Indonesian journalist and academic, Smith Alhadar.

He's best known for being a so-called "expert academic" spreading anti-West and pro-Russia peepotalking remarks.](https://twitter.com/olliekarp/status/1672942015997435904?s=20) | | Read | Read | Academic | Indonesia | X | X | | | 31 | 06.18.2023 | Chandra Muzaffar | [In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce Malaysian political analyst, activist, and NGO head, Chandra Muzaffar.

He's best known for heading Just International (@justworldtweets), which is flooded with blatant anti-West, pro-Russia, and pro-China peepotalking remarks.](https://twitter.com/olliekarp/status/1670156039549853699?s=20) | | Read | | NGO head x Activist | Malaysia | X | X | | | 30 | 06.15.2023 | Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo | [In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce a former Philippine president and current deputy speaker, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

She's known for being involved in a couple of blatant corruption scandals, political instability, and China-shilling deals.](https://twitter.com/olliekarp/status/1669050585499467776?s=20) | | Read | | Former president x Politician | Philippines | X | | X | | 29 | 06.12.2023 | Megawati Soekarnoputri | [In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce former Indonesian president and current PDI-P chairperson, Megawati Soekarnoputri.

She's known for being Indonesia's first and only female president, but she's also known for her relations with Putin.](https://twitter.com/olliekarp/status/1668221113837715458?s=20) | | Read | | Former president x Politician | Indonesia | X | X | X | | 28 | 06.11.2023 | Budiman Sudjatmiko | [In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce Indonesian activist and politician Budiman Sudjatmiko (@budimandjatmiko).

He headed the now-disbanded People's Democratic Party. Now, he's just spewing peepotalking remarks favouring Putin's dictatorial regime.](https://twitter.com/olliekarp/status/1667801448359378945?t=BUdQAzaEIMZIJ4JB7E7sCg&s=19) | | Read | | Activist | Indonesia | X | X | | | 27 | 06.10.2023 | Mohamad Wahid Supriyadi | [In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce a former Indonesian ambassador to Russia and Kremlin mouthpiece, Mohamad Wahid Supriyadi.

He is best known for his pro-Russia peepotalking remarks and his encouragement of sanctions evasion in buying Russian jets.](https://twitter.com/olliekarp/status/1667230788482633728?s=20) | | Read | | Former ambassador | Indonesia | X | X | X | | 26 | 06.09.2023 | Clarita Carlos | In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce Filipino professor, politician, and pro-Kremlin adviser, Clarita Carlos. Her pro-Russia and pro-China peepotalking are known to pave the way to her "Philippines-should-remain-neutral" advices to my country's president. | | Read | | Academic x Politician | Philippines | X | X | | | 25 | 06.07.2023 | #CONQuest2023 | In today's #dailysoup, let's take a brief break from China and Russia-related issues as I'll talk about #CONQuest2023. This event has gained notoriety for ridiculously long lines, a tricky management, poor logistics, and even producing injuries. | | Read | | Event | Philippines | X | X | | | 24 | 06.06.2023 | Ahmad Fahrurodji | In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce an Indonesian university academic, "Russia Watcher", and historical revisionist, Ahmad Fahrurodji. He's best known for his pro-Russia peepotalking points, one of which sparked attention from the Ukrainian ambassador to Indonesia. | | Read | | Academic | Indonesia | | X | | | 23 | 06.05.2023 | Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan | In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce an Indonesian former soldier x current Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan ( @luhut_binsar ). He's known for his political controversies, particularly his pro-China x some pro-Russia stints. | | Read | | Politician | Indonesia | X | X | | | 22 | 06.04.2023 | Prabowo Subianto | In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce an Indonesian former military general, politician, and Soeharto's son-in-law, Prabowo Subianto ( @prabowo ). He's known for his role during the Fall of Soeharto of 1998, his controversial stints, and his recent pro-Russia one. | | Read | | Politician | Indonesia | X | X | | | 21 | 05.31.2023 | Robin Padilla | In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce Filipino action star, PDP-Laban leader, senator, and philanthropist, Robin Padilla. Just like any other celeb-turned-politician, he's best known for his controversial stints, particularly pro-China and some pro-Russia ones. | | Read | | Actor x Politician | Philippines | X | X | | | 20 | 05.28.2023 | Kishore Mahbubani | In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce a "reputable" Singaporean diplomat, academic, and former UNSC president, Kishore Mahbubani ( @mahbubani_k ). He's known for "academically-acclaimed" works containing anti-West, pro-China, and pro-Russia peepotalking. | | Read | | Academic | Singapore | X | X | | | 19 | 05.27.2023 | Ayungin Shoal | In today's #dailysoup, I'll talk about the PH-China dispute at an SCS atoll, the Second Thomas Shoal or the Ayungin Shoal. It is known for being the site of grey-zone clashes between loitering Chinese vessels and a decrepit, but vital ship. | | Read | | Atoll | Philippines x China | X | | | | 18 | 05.25.2023 | Rigoberto Tiglao | In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce a former Presidential spokesperson and current Manila Times columnist, Rigoberto Tiglao ( @bobitiglao ). He's known for being an "investigative journalist" peddling conspiracies and disinfo, particularly pro-China and pro-Russia ones. | | Read | | Journalist | Philippines | X | X | | | 17 | 05.22.2023 | South China Sea Probing Initiative | In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce a Beijing-based think-tank, the South China Sea Probing Initiative or SCSPI ( @SCS_PI ). It's known for providing news on the SCS dispute from China's perspective, which contain mostly pro-China peepotalking and some pro-Russia ones. | | Read | | Think tank | China x Philippines | X | X | X | | 16 | 05.20.2023 | Mahathir Mohamad | In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce a former #Malaysian PM and a Lee Kwan Yew wannabe, Mahathir Mohamad. He's known for serving a long premiership that ended badly and his anti-West, pro-China, and pro-Russia rhetoric. This will be a long thread, so brace yourselves! | | Read | | Former PM | Malaysia | X | X | | | 15 | 05.18.2023 | Pandesal Forum | In today's #dailysoup, I'll be talking about a series of so-called "expert seminars", the Pandesal Forum ( @PandesalForum ). Despite claiming to be "non-partisan and issues-focused", it is known for hosting infamous Filipino politicians, vatniks, and pro-China peepotalkers. | | Read | | Seminars | Philippines | X | X | X | | 14 | 05.17.2023 | Bobby Tuazon | In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce a Filipino political analyst, think-tank director, and Pandesal Forum resource person, Bobby Tuazon. He's known for writing for Chinese state-owned media, as well as his pro-China and pro-Russia peepotalking points. | | Read | | Academic | Philippines | X | X | | | 13 | 05.15.2023 | Ian Miles Cheong | In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce a #Malaysian soc-med influencer, gaming journalist, and conspiracy theorist, Ian Miles Cheong. He's known for disguising as a "US conservative" and spewing pro-China and pro-Russia peepotalking remarks. This will be a bumpy ride. | | Read | | Soc-med influencer | Malaysia | X | X | | | 12 | 05.14.2023 | Hughes Reef | In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce another disputed reef in the "Union Banks group" of the Spratly group of islands, the Hughes Reef. It is known for containing loitering Chinese vessels, as well as an illegal artificial island base. | | Read | | Military base | China x Philippines x Vietnam | X | | | | 11 | 05.13.2023 | Whitsun Reef | In today's #dailysoup, let's go back to the SCS/WPS dispute as I'll introduce a disputed arrow-shaped atoll, the Whitsun Reef. As a part of the Spratly group of islands, it is known for being a hotspot of disputed claims between China, the Philippines, and Vietnam. | | Read | | Reef | China x Philippines x Vietnam | X | | | | 10 | 05.11.2023 | Lily Ong | In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce a Singaporean television journalist and talk show host, Lily Ong. Her attempts to discuss geopolitics in a Singaporean talk show and radio show contained pro-Russia and pro-China peepotalking. | | Read | | Talk show host | Singapore | X | X | | | 9 | 05.10.2023 | Connie Bakrie | In today's #dailysoup, let's go to #Indonesia as I'll introduce an Indonesian military x defence academic and Putin fangirl, Connie Bakrie. She is known for parroting common pro-China and pro-Russia peepotalking points in her articles, seminars, and soc-med posts. | | Read | | Academic | Indonesia | X | X | X | | 8 | 05.09.2023 | Scarborough Shoal | In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce a disputed series of small rocks in the South China Sea, the Scarborough Shoal. Forming a triangular shape, it is known to be a hotspot for SCS disputes between China and the #Philippines. | | Read | | Group of Rocks | China x Philippines | X | | | | 7 | 05.07.2023 | CHEC x CCCC, part 2 | In today's #dailysoup, I'll continue talking about a notorious CCP-owned firm, China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), together with its subsidiaries, especially CHEC. This time, I'll tackle their fraudulent stints around the world, particularly in #APAC. | | Read | | Firm | China | X | X | X | | 6 | 05.06.2023 | South China Sea dispute | In today's #dailysoup, I'll talk about a brief overview of the South China Sea dispute between #China, Taiwan, and the SEA countries surrounding the SCS. This will serve as a rabbit hole before we discuss different topics and events on the SCS dispute in future entries. | | Read | | Information | China x various ASEAN countries | X | | X | | 5 | 05.04.2023 | Trans-Sabah Gas Pipeline | In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce another BRI project in #Malaysia, the Trans-Sabah Gas Pipeline. Just like the East Coast Rail Link, another BRI project, it is known for its role in the 1MDB scandal, as well as its connections with a shady Chinese company. | | Read | | BRI project | Malaysia | X | X | X | | 4 | 05.03.2023 | Sultan Ibrahim Ismail | In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce the current Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Ismail. He is known for his versatile business investments and "reclamation projects, including the controversial Princess Cove and Forest City. | | Read | | Sultan | Malaysia | X | | | | 3 | 05.02.2023 | Forest City | In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce another #Malaysian BRI project x white elephant, Forest City. It is a so-called "sustainable city project" that faced flak for environmental degradation and a lack of consultation with its stakeholders. | | Read | | BRI project | Malaysia | X | | | | 2 | 05.01.2023 | East Coast Rail Link | In today's #dailysoup, let's return to #Malaysia as I'll introduce a Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project called the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL). It is known for its role in the 1MDB scandal, as well as having a sanctioned Chinese firm, CCCC, as one of its developers. | | Read | | BRI project | Malaysia | X | | X | | 1 | 04.30.2023 | Belt and Road Initiative | In today's #dailysoup, I'll go through an overview of Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This will serve as a rabbit hole before we talk about the rest of the other BRI projects, especially on how they got the "bad ending". | | Read | | Information | China | X | | X |

Prologue

Legends:

China-related - Entry involves China or pro-China entities

Russia-related - Entry involves Russia or pro-Russia entities

Schedule:

I usually post a new #dailysoup entry at any of the following timeslots (depending on availability):

• Between 11:00AM x 2:00PM