Southeast Asia Radio: Recent Episodes

CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies

Greg Poling, Elina Noor, and Karen Lee highlight the most important news from Southeast Asia and dive into candid conversations with leading voices on the region and U.S. foreign policy. We’ll cover everything you want to know about Southeast Asia. Geopolitics in the region? Recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic? Democracy and human rights? Nothing is off limits! So join us for “Southeast Asia Radio” every other Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts.

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Greg talks with Sophal Ear and Charles Dunst about the recent election in Cambodia. Japhet is joined by Lauren Mai, the new PCRA for the Southeast Asia Program at CSIS, to cover the latest from the region.

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Jared and Monica discuss French President Emmanuel Macron's historic visit to the Pacific, U.S. security activities in Papua New Guinea and Palau, an update on COFA negotiations, and the New Zealand Defence Force's combat preparedness.- there ya go!

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Elina and Thitinan Pongsudhirak discuss the aftermath of the Thai elections. Andreyka is joined by Yumei Lin, a Research Intern with the Southeast Asia Program at CSIS, to cover the latest from the region.

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Greg and Elina chat with Andreyka Natalegawa to discuss the program’s upcoming report on U.S. and Chinese influence in Southeast Asia. Japhet is joined by Nickii Arcado, a former Research Intern with the Southeast Asia Program at CSIS, to cover the latest from the region.

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Jared welcomes new podcast co-host, Monica Sato, to Pacific Airwaves and the pair delve into Solomon Islands Prime Minister Sogavare's trip to China, musings of Pacific defense forces, deep seabed mining negotiations, and an update on COFA delays with RMI.

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Greg and Elina, joined by Natalie Sambhi and Harrison Prétat, give an update on the state of play in the South China Sea. Japhet is joined by Ramil Mercado, Intern with the Southeast Asia Program at CSIS, to cover the latest from the region.

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Greg and Elina sit down with Philips Vermonte, dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Indonesian International Islamic University (UIII) and senior fellow at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Indonesia. They discuss the frontrunners in Indonesia’s upcoming presidential elections in February 2024, their policy platforms, and President Joko Widodo’s legacy. Karen is joined by Japhet Quitzon, new research associate with the Southeast Asia Program at CSIS, to cover the latest from the region.

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Karen and Jared discuss the first-ever South Korea-Pacific Islands Summit, Japan’s plans to release nuclear wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi power plant, and a new task force in the U.S. House of Representatives on countering Chinese influence in the Pacific. A surprise guest from AMTI makes an appearance.

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Greg and Elina discuss takeaways from the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, interspersed with Greg’s interviews with conference participants on the ground. They discuss the speeches from U.S. defense secretary Lloyd Austin and Chinese defense minister Li Shangfu, responses from ASEAN delegates, and the controversial remarks from Indonesian defense minister Prabowo Subianto. Karen is joined by Lam Tran, Program Coordinator for the Australia Chair at CSIS, to cover the latest from the region.

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Elina grills Danielle, Karen, and Greg from the Southeast Asia Program at CSIS on their new report on decarbonization in the region. They discuss key takeaways from the report, possibility for U.S.-China cooperation in the sector, domestic electric vehicle industries, and more. Karen is joined by Mai Takahata, intern for the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at CSIS, to cover the latest from the region.

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Greg and Elina talk with Stephanie Segal, a senior fellow at the CSIS Economics Program. They discuss the outcomes from the COP27, G20, ASEAN, and APEC Summits and implications for Southeast Asia. Karen is joined by Ray Joseph, intern for the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at CSIS, to cover the latest from the region.

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Greg chats with Christopher Johnstone, Senior Adviser and Japan Chair at CSIS, about the implications of the National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy, and US midterms for Southeast Asia. Karen is joined by David Dennis, an Associate with The Asia Group and a former intern for CSIS’ Southeast Asia Program, to cover the latest developments from the region.

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Greg and Elina talk with Ted Osius, the former United States Ambassador to Vietnam and the President and CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council. They discuss the private sector's perspective on the Biden administration’s Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and the key issues for the upcoming APEC Leaders’ Summit in November. Karen is joined by Mike Tiernan, research intern for the Southeast Asia Program at CSIS, to cover the latest developments in the region.

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Greg and Elina talk with BC Han, a former researcher at Freedom House. They discuss Freedom House’s recent publication on Beijing’s Global Media Influence and the report's findings in Southeast Asia. Karen is joined by Ike Barrash, research intern for the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at CSIS, to cover the latest developments in the region.

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Greg talks with co-host Elina Noor on her latest report, “Raising Standards: Data and Artificial Intelligence in Southeast Asia.” Andreyka is joined by Karen Lee, the new Research Associate here at CSIS’s Southeast Asia Program, to cover the latest developments from the region.

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Elina talks with Sophie Lemière, a political anthropologist and an adjunct fellow with the CSIS Southeast Asia Program, on recent political developments in Malaysia. Andreyka is joined by Camille Bismonte, an associate with the East Asia & Pacific practice at Albright Stonebridge Group and former intern for the CSIS Southeast Asia Program, to cover the latest news from the region.

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Greg talks with Huong Le Thu, adjunct fellow for the Southeast Asia Program and principal policy Fellow at the Perth USAsia Centre. They discuss the priorities that Washington and Canberra should pursue in Southeast Asia. Andreyka is joined by Danielle Fallin, program coordinator and research assistant for the Southeast Asia Program at CSIS, to cover the latest news from the region.

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Greg and Elina talk with Chester Cabalza, president and founder of the International Development and Security Cooperation. They discuss how the Marcos administration in the Philippines is going and check in on the state of the U.S.-Philippines alliance. Simon is joined by Jared Tupuola, program manager and research associate with the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at CSIS, to cover legal developments in Myanmar, the latest on Najib’s 1MDB trial, and high-speed rail in Vietnam!

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Greg talks with Pongkwan “PK” Sawasdipakdi, a lecturer at Thammasat University in Thailand. They discuss the recent Bangkok gubernatorial election and what that may portend for the general election next year. Simon is joined by Japhet Quitzon, program coordinator and research assistant for the CSIS Scholl Chair in International Business and former intern for the Southeast Asia Program at CSIS to cover new diplomatic activity in the region, executions in Myanmar, and the Great Malaysian Chicken Crisis of 2022!

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Greg talks with Erin Murphy, deputy director and senior fellow for the Economics Program at CSIS, about the current situation on the ground in post-coup Myanmar. Simon is joined by Meghan Murphy, a Young Professionals Program participant at the East-West Center in Washington and a former research intern for the Southeast Asia Program at CSIS, to cover the G20 meetings in Bali, coal, and Secretary Blinken’s visit to Thailand.

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Elina interviews Greg about his new book, On Dangerous Ground: America's Century in the South China Sea. They discuss the history of U.S. interests in the South China Sea and combat misinformation about historical, territorial, and maritime claims made by some in the region. Simon is joined by Nickii Arcado, a summer intern for the Southeast Asia Program at CSIS to cover Indonesia’s attempts at mediating the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the new Philippine presidential Cabinet, Myanmar’s airspace violation into Thailand, and inflation in Malaysia.

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Greg and Elina talk with Dr. Sophal Ear, associate professor in the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University, and Charles Dunst, associate at The Asia Group and adjunct fellow with the CSIS Southeast Asia Program. They discuss Cambodia’s recent local elections, the direction of the U.S.-Cambodia relationship, and the small country’s surprisingly large impact on U.S. foreign policy. Simon is joined by Karen Lee, Southeast Asia associate at McLarty Associates and former intern for the Southeast Asia Program at CSIS to cover the Shangri La defense summit, LGBTQ+ rights in Thailand, and economic instability in Laos.

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Greg and Elina talk with Zack Cooper, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, about the Quad’s new maritime domain awareness partnership. Simon is joined by Andreyka Natalegawa, research associate with the Southeast Asia Program at CSIS to cover the fighting in Myanmar, disappointment from Cambodia, and chickens!

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Greg and Elina talk with Bich Tran, adjunct fellow with the CSIS Southeast Asia Program and fellow with Verve Research, about last week’s U.S.-ASEAN special summit. Simon is joined by Meghan Sullivan, an intern for the Southeast Asia Program at CSIS to cover the summit, the surprising landslide victory in Bangkok’s gubernatorial election and what that means for Thai national politics, and Indonesia’s see-sawing palm oil export policy.

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Greg and Elina talk with Ben Bland, Director of the Asia-Pacific Program at Chatham House, Natasha Kassam, director of the Lowy Institute’s Public Opinion and Foreign Policy program, and Evan Laksmana, senior research fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy about the Lowy Institute’s latest poll of Indonesian public opinion on foreign policy, U.S.-China competition, and democracy. Simon is joined by Hazen Williams, intern for the Southeast Asia Program at CSIS to cover the results of the Philippine presidential election, Aung San Suu Kyi’s kangaroo court trial, and the U.S.-ASEAN Special summit.

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Greg and Elina sit down with Dino Patti Djalal, chairman of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia and former Indonesian ambassador to the United States. They discuss how Indonesia, as president of the G20 this year, is navigating tensions between member states after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Simon is joined by Drake Tien, research intern for the Southeast Asia Program at CSIS to cover the latest from the region, including the ASEAN Summit as well as leadership changes in Singapore and Timor-Leste.

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On April 14, Elina and Greg sat down with the Trade Guys to discuss the Indo Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). We are re-publishing the conversation with their permission. Don't forget to check out The Trade Guys- releasing every week on the CSIS network.

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On the premiere episode of Southeast Asia Radio, Greg and Elina talk Philippine presidential politics with Marites Vitug, editor-at-large at Rappler. Simon is joined by Danielle Fallin, program coordinator and research assistant, to cover the most important news from across Southeast Asia.

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Greg Poling, Elina Noor, and Simon Tran Hudes highlight the most important news from Southeast Asia and dive into candid conversations with leading voices on the region and U.S. foreign policy. We’ll cover everything you want to know about Southeast Asia. Geopolitics in the region? Recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic? Democracy and human rights? Nothing is off limits! So join us for “Southeast Asia Radio” every other Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts.