Wasserstrom, Chancellor’s Professor of History at U.C., Irvine, where he specializes in the history of protests against authoritarianism and former editor of the Journal of Asian Studies, is perfectly situated to analyze Hong Kong’s ongoing turmoil. One strand of his analysis tracks China’s concerted efforts since 1997 to strip the city of its freedoms and remake it as another Canton or Shenzhen. The second narrative chronicles the equally determined actions by Hong Kong’s residents to resist China’s repressive moves and keep the judicial and press independence that has characterized the city in the past. While the protestors have scored some victories, Wasserstrom believes China will ultimately succeed in imposing its iron law.

Wasserstrom will be in conversation with Ishaan Tharoor, a Washington Post reporter covering foreign affairs, geopolitics, and history.