Nury Turkel

If it resonates, please read it. And share.

Published by @wmcollinsbooks.bsky.social

Representation by WME Books

This book is my story, but it echoes the voices of so many who cannot speak freely. It’s about survival, resistance, and the truth the world must not forget.

The cover photo was taken after my father was freed from a labor camp—after my mother and I were released from a reeducation camp. It’s more than a reunion. It’s a snapshot of survival. Of resilience. Of a quiet strength that helped us endure—and keeps us going still.

“We had no map for what came next—only the will to survive it.”
—from No Escape

Officially out today in UK paperback (also available as e-book and audiobook). 🇬🇧

We cannot build walls so high that no one can access American technology.

The U.S. needs to:

✅ Strengthen enforcement
✅ Close loopholes
✅ Expand R&D
✅ Build an export regime that protects—but doesn’t isolate

Key takeaways:

👉 Why U.S. export controls matter
👉 How China exploits AI for surveillance
👉 What America must do to lead
👉 What's the global risk of overreach

This isn’t just about chips or code—it’s about freedom, leadership, and the world we’re building.

AI, National Security, and the Global Technology Race: How US Export Controls Define the Future of Innovation View PDF President Donald Trump has called China’s DeepSeek artificial intelligence (AI) system a “wake-up call” for the American technology sector and emphasized the need for the United States to rem...

Export controls are no longer just trade tools. They are now front-line instruments in the battle for technological dominance and democratic values.

My new policy memo: “AI, National Security, and the Global Technology Race”

www.hudson.org/national-sec...

C.I.A. Now Favors Lab Leak Theory to Explain Covid’s Origins A new analysis that began under the Biden administration is released by the C.I.A.’s new director, John Ratcliffe, who wants the agency to get “off the sidelines” in the debate.

We will likely never know whether the origin of Covid-19 -- which has directly caused more than 7 million deaths -- was natural or men-made until, well, when China becomes democratic and opens up its archive. But accountability will come one day. www.nytimes.com/2025/01/25/u...

I wrote this piece to reflect on and share the experiences from this arduous journey to reunite with my mother. Let’s hope this reunion inspires renewed efforts to reunite all separated families and restore the dignity and freedom they deserve.
www.rfa.org/english/uygh...

Exclusive | U.S. Weighs Ban on Chinese-Made Router in Millions of American Homes TP-Link is the bestselling router on Amazon—and has been linked to Chinese cyberattacks.

NEWS: U.S. officials are weighing a ban of Chinese home router maker TP-Link—a top-selling device on Amazon—due to fears the devices pose a national security risk. Comes amid ongoing alarm around telecom insecurity wrought by Salt Typhoon. www.wsj.com/politics/nat...

I wrote this piece to reflect on and share the experiences from this arduous journey to reunite with my mother. Let’s hope this reunion inspires renewed efforts to reunite all separated families and restore the dignity and freedom they deserve.
www.rfa.org/english/uygh...

I am pleased to reconnect with @jaynordlinger.bsky.social of @nationalreview.bsky.social and share some thoughts and reflections on the miraculous reunion with my mother after 20 years of enforced separation. www.spreaker.com/episode/a-uy...

What China Must Do to Stop the Flow of Fentanyl It’s time to get tough on the world’s most dangerous opioid supplier.

Americans are more furious than ever about China’s involvement in the fentanyl crisis, writes Raja Krishnamoorthi. “If Beijing fails to embrace a genuine whole-of-government effort to end the epidemic, the status quo will become beyond inexcusable.”

Inside a Secret Plan to Bring Uyghurs Trapped in China to the United States On Thanksgiving eve, U.S. diplomats reunited family members who had not seen each other in years because of China’s harsh policies on the ethnic group.

Kudos to everyone in the Biden administration who insisted that China allow Uighurs with ties to the US to leave as part of this prisoner swap -- including the mother of my friend @nuryturkel.bsky.social.

www.nytimes.com/2024/12/02/u...

A short guide to Syria’s long war Assad’s fall concludes the arc of ‘Arab Spring’ uprisings that reshaped the region

A short guide to Syria’s long war

https://www.ft.com/content/22a4c5fb-bb1d-4716-b348-d8bb1f90a06c

‘I Feel So Light Today’ | National Review On a podcast with Nury Turkel, Uyghur-American activist, who has seen his mother for the first time in 20 years.

My first question to Nury Turkel (@nuryturkel.bsky.social) is "How was your Thanksgiving?" An extraordinary one. He had not seen his mother in 20 years. This is the story of a Uyghur family. www.nationalreview.com/corner/i-fee...

Inside a Secret Plan to Bring Uyghurs Trapped in China to the United States On Thanksgiving eve, U.S. diplomats reunited family members who had not seen each other in years because of China’s harsh policies on the ethnic group.

AUWCL alumnus @nuryturkel.bsky.social ('04) shares the deeply personal story of his mother's release in this @nytimes.com piece, shedding light on the ongoing plight of the Uyghur community. We are proud of our alums who stand for justice and human rights. www.nytimes.com/2024/12/02/u...

Inside a Secret Plan to Bring Uyghurs Trapped in China to the United States On Thanksgiving eve, U.S. diplomats reunited family members who had not seen each other in years because of China’s harsh policies on the ethnic group.

A heartening story. The CCP has always targeted families of human rights advocates, knowing the tactic is extremely effective in deterring their activism. Kudos to US govt's effort to free @nuryturkel.bsky.social's mother and break the curse of guilty-by-association. www.nytimes.com/2024/12/02/u...

Inside a Secret Plan to Bring Uyghurs Trapped in China to the United States On Thanksgiving eve, U.S. diplomats reunited family members who had not seen each other in years because of China’s harsh policies on the ethnic group.

The most moving story I have read in some time. Nury Turkel (@nuryturkel.bsky.social) is a Uyghur-American lawyer and human-rights activist. He has been tireless. Last week, his mother was released from China and is reunited with family here in America. www.nytimes.com/2024/12/02/u...

5/ This breach highlights an urgent need for stronger cybersecurity measures to protect both national systems and sensitive communications. End

4/ Beijing denies the allegations, but the scale of this attack signals a significant escalation in state-sponsored cyber threats targeting critical US infrastructure.

3/ The White House and telecom execs are working together to address the breach, while the FBI and cybersecurity agencies coordinate responses, including sanctions and global countermeasures.

2/ The hackers, known as "Salt Typhoon," exploited outdated systems to mimic FBI wiretaps, accessing call records and secure communications from carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile.

1/ Breaking: A major Chinese cyberattack has infiltrated US telecom networks, compromising sensitive communications of government officials. It's the worst telecom hack in US history.

Wanted: Europe’s next foreign policy leader Balts preferred. Germans need not apply.

The outspoken Lithuanian foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis had been one of the most vocal advocates for increasing support for Ukraine, tougher sanctions against Russia, and taking on growing threats from China.

Exclusive | U.S. Adds Nearly 30 Chinese Companies to Forced-Labor Blacklist The raft of additions is the single-largest expansion of a list created to combat alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang.

On Friday, the administration added 29 companies to what is known as the Entity List, bringing the total to more than 100. Goods from those companies are presumptively blocked from entry to the U.S. under the #Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.

www.wsj.com/articles/u-s...

My publisher has sent over promotion for my upcoming book, and I have to say I am digging the Marimekko vibes the amazing cover artist went with.

We cannot turn a blind eye to #China’s ghastly human rights abuses. The world must hold China accountable for its atrocities against the #Uyghur people.
#UyghurGenocide #HumanRights #USPolicy #TrumpAdministration