Yanwen’s blog

We are leaving Paris today, a city celebrated worldwide for its rich history, culture, art, and iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre—the world’s largest art museum.

There is so much to say about Paris and France. As I strolled through the streets of Paris, I often noticed three powerful words carved into the facades of buildings: Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité. These words, born out of the French Revolution, resonate deeply with the nation’s revolutionary legacy.

While visiting the Louvre Museum, I stood before Eugène Delacroix’s masterpiece, Liberty Leading the People. My thoughts turned to the French Revolution, though this particular painting does not depict the Revolution of 1789. Instead, it portrays the July Revolution of 1830, another pivotal uprising in France’s turbulent quest for freedom. 

Between 1789 and 1830, the French people endured repeated upheavals and revolutions, overthrowing five emperors and establishing three republics. These struggles ultimately secured the liberty we now consider a fundamental human right. Delacroix’s painting captures the raw passion, violence, and sacrifice of revolution. At the bottom of the canvas, the twisted bodies of fallen royal soldiers symbolize the brutal cost of progress.

One striking detail is the corpse on the left, depicted in stark humiliation—stripped of dignity, even down to the absence of pants. Delacroix’s emphasis on such scenes underscores the cruelty of revolution, presenting both its transformative power and the profound suffering and sacrifice it entails.

The French Revolution’s most defining moment came with the beheading of King Louis XVI on January 21, 1793. Convicted of treason by the National Convention, his execution marked the end of absolute monarchy in France and sent shockwaves throughout Europe. Later that year, Queen Marie Antoinette met the same fate on October 16, 1793, after being convicted of high treason. Their deaths not only symbolized the collapse of the old regime but also inspired movements for republicanism while instilling fear of revolutionary upheaval across the continent.

As I reflect on Delacroix’s work and the words Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité etched into the heart of Paris, I am reminded that these ideals, while universal and aspirational, came at a huge human cost. Walking through the streets of this city, where history seems alive in every corner, I see how Paris stands as both a testament to the triumphs of liberty and a reminder of the sacrifices required to achieve it.

Today, as we leave Paris, its revolutionary spirit and enduring legacy of freedom resonate more deeply than ever—a city where the past continues to shape the present and inspire the future.

Yesterday, we visited the Louvre Museum, the world’s largest and most visited museum, celebrated for its unparalleled collection of art and antiquities, including masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and Liberty Leading the People.

This time, I focused on a remarkable artifact from ancient Mesopotamia: the Winged Androcephalous Bull, also known as the Lamassu. A defining symbol of Mesopotamian art and culture, the Lamassu captivated my attention with its intricate design and profound historical significance.

Originating from the Assyrian civilization of the first millennium BCE, these monumental sculptures served as protective deities, positioned at the entrances of palaces and temples. Their purpose was to ward off evil and safeguard the spaces they adorned.

The Lamassu's form combines the wisdom of a human, the strength of a bull, and the wings of an eagle, symbolizing the ability to transcend earthly limitations. This harmonious fusion of traits reflects the Assyrians’ deep spiritual and artistic sensibilities.

The Lamassu displayed at the Louvre was unearthed in the ruins of Khorsabad, the capital of King Sargon II (r. 721–705 BCE), in what is now modern-day Iraq. Globally, around 20–30 major Lamassu sculptures survive, most of which are preserved in museums.

However, the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq brought devastating consequences for the country’s cultural heritage. Widespread looting and lawlessness during this period led to the destruction of many Lamassu statues, along with countless other artifacts. This tragic loss underscores the fragility of cultural heritage in times of war and social upheaval.

The Lamassu preserved in museums today remind us of the artistic and architectural achievements of ancient Mesopotamia and also of the importance of protecting cultural heritage, particularly in the face of modern conflicts.

Human history is filled with wars and conflicts, where the survival of cultural artifacts becomes perilous. Yet, museums play a vital role in safeguarding these treasures, acting as custodians of civilization's collective memory.

Here’s a big irony of the Lamassu, which, carved from the hardest stone and originally intended to ward off evils, stands defenseless in the face of modern war and violence. Despite its intended purpose, it couldn't protect itself from the ravages of social unrest and wars.

Finally, the preserved Lamassu serves as a testament to the artistic and architectural achievements of ancient Mesopotamia. Its presence in museums today underscores the importance of protecting cultural heritage, especially amidst contemporary conflicts. It is a poignant reminder of the fragility of our shared history and the enduring need to preserve it.

On November 28, we visited the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, a monument commissioned in 1806 by Emperor Napoleon to commemorate his stunning victory at the Battle of Austerlitz, a triumph often considered the pinnacle of his military success.

The Battle of Austerlitz, fought on 12/2/1805, is widely regarded as one of Napoleon's greatest achievements. He decisively defeated the combined forces of the Russian and Austrian Empires, ending the War of the Third Coalition. This victory forced Austria to sign the Treaty of Pressburg, ceding significant territory to France and its allies and withdrawing from the coalition.

However, Napoleon's success provoked fear across Europe, and a year later, a new alliance—the Fourth Coalition—was formed. Comprising Prussia, Russia, Britain, and other states, this coalition marked the beginning of a relentless series of conflicts. Napoleon's imposition of the Continental System, aimed at economically weakening Britain, further fueled resentment and led to prolonged wars, including the Peninsular War (1808–1814) in Spain and Portugal, and the disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812.

Some might draw parallels between Napoleon’s pursuit of European dominance in the early 19th century and China’s modern global ambitions through initiatives like the Belt and Road. Both seek influence on a grand scale, but their methods are fundamentally different. Napoleon wielded military might, resulting in enormous casualties, while modern China employs economic, technological, and diplomatic tools to expand its influence.

This distinction highlights a critical difference in outcomes. Military conquest often breeds enmity and short-lived gains, as seen with Napoleon, whose relentless wars hastened his downfall. In contrast, peaceful expansion, while not without challenges, tends to build partnerships and longer-lasting influence.

In 1806, Napoleon stood at the height of his power, his ambitions boundless and his authority as seemingly invincible and enduring as the Arc de Triomphe. Yet his reliance on force and the enemies it created ensured that alliances against him would strengthen and his empire would unravel and collapse even before the completion of the Arc which was completed in 1836. Less than a decade after his triumph at Austerlitz, his reign rushed to an end—a cautionary tale of empire overreaching and the fleeting nature of power built on conquest.

Yesterday, I wrote about Angela Merkel's concerns regarding Elon Musk's involvement in Trump's administration. Now, Merkel’s newly released memoir, Freedom: Memoirs 1954–2021, has taken center stage, drawing widespread attention and sparking debates, much like the Chinese saying “一石激起千层浪” (yī shí jī qǐ qiān céng làng), meaning "a single stone can stir up a thousand waves." The book has caused ripples far beyond the literary world, provoking discussions about her legacy and the challenges of modern leadership.

The memoir chronicles Merkel’s remarkable journey from life in the surveillance-heavy East Germany to becoming Germany’s first female chancellor and one of the most influential leaders in recent history. It highlights her resilience, pragmatic decision-making, and steady leadership during crises like the eurozone debt turmoil and Trump’s erratic presidency. 

Merkel’s cautious and deliberate approach, shaped by her early experiences in a repressive regime, helped her navigate the complexities of governance on a globalized stage. In the same cautious non-nonsense style, Merkel's memoir is a carefully fact-checked narrative that reveals her thought processes in times of crisis, rather than pages of small talks, dramas and vengeance.

Merkel reflects on pivotal moments in her career, such as her bold critique of Helmut Kohl's financial scandals and her delicate handling of relations with Russia under Vladimir Putin. While her tenure was marked by controversial decisions—such as welcoming over a million refugees in 2015 and phasing out nuclear energy—her actions often reflected a careful balance between moral imperatives and geopolitical realities. The memoir also defends her stance against NATO expansion, emphasizing the historical, realistic and strategic reasons behind her cautious approach. She knew back then that it’s a dangerous move to challenge Russia by NATO expansion.

Merkel's insights resonate deeply as Donald Trump prepares to reenter the White House. Her reflections on leaders drawn to authoritarian tendencies, contrasted with her unwavering commitment to democratic principles, offer a vital lens through which to view the current political landscape. As global challenges are mounting, Freedom serves as a timely reminder of the need for restraint, pragmatism, responsibility, and the enduring value of democratic ideals.

Right after news broke about Elon Musk’s appointment to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency under Donald Trump’s administration, there were many positive reactions, including from my family in Beijing. However, on November 22, I came across an article in The Guardian titled Angela Merkel Expresses ‘Huge Concern’ at Elon Musk’s US Government Role: Former German Chancellor Says Politics Should Govern the Social Balance Between Powerful and Ordinary Citizens.

In the article, Merkel frames Musk’s new role as a significant challenge to democracy, particularly under the Trump administration. She highlights the risks of unchecked corporate power and its potential to erode the balance between governments and citizens. Here are the key takeaways from her perspective.

Concerns About Musk’s Role in Governance

Merkel criticizes Musk’s vast corporate influence, pointing to his ownership of 60% of all satellites in orbit as a troubling concentration of power. She warns that such dominance could undermine politics’ “final authority” to regulate societal interests, which she sees as critical for addressing crises like the 2007-08 financial meltdown.

Trump’s Transactional Leadership

Merkel describes Trump as overly transactional in his approach to governance, shaped by his background as a real estate developer. She notes his fascination with authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin and expresses unease about his alliance with powerful business figures like Musk.

Democracy and Corporate Power

Merkel emphasizes that a cornerstone of democracy is its ability to check corporate influence. She sees Musk’s entanglement in public governance—despite his companies benefiting from substantial public funding—as a dangerous precedent. For Merkel, this blurring of lines between private enterprise and public authority risks weakening democratic institutions.

The Role of Social Media

Merkel highlights the dangers posed by platforms like Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) in amplifying divisive narratives. She cites the rise of far-right movements such as Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) as a cautionary example. Political systems, she argues, must counterbalance the influence of such platforms to preserve social cohesion.

“There is now a visible alliance between him with the big companies from Silicon Valley which have enormous power through capital,” Merkel observed.

A Marxist Perspective

From a Marxist lens, this article could be read as a critique of late-stage capitalism, where private capital dominates and undermines democratic institutions. A Marxist might argue that Musk’s growing influence is not an isolated issue but a natural consequence of capitalist structures concentrating wealth and power. Addressing such systemic imbalances, they would contend, requires more than isolated reforms—it demands fundamental change.

Merkel’s critique serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance required between corporate influence and democratic governance. In an era where private capital wields unprecedented power, her concerns underscore the urgent need for political systems to assert their role as guardians of democracy, social equity and stability. The challenge lies not only in regulating such influence but in reaffirming the principles that sustain democracy itself.