Straight Talk Southeast Asia

This episode examines the social media ban policy for children under 16 and focuses in on this policy in Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia and Indonesia, with Dr. Nuurrianti Jalli. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at the agency and policy approaches of Southeast Asian countries over maritime defence issues in Southeast Asia with Dr Natalie Sambhi and Dr Bich Tran, drawing from a report by Verve Research.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode with economist Dr. James Guild examines Indonesia’s political economy at a time when her currency is facing unprecedented pressures and President Prabowo Subianto is undergoing economic changes.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at recent developments in Philippine politics, from leadership changes in the Senate, impeachment trials, extraditions and management of disasters, and digs through the headlines in order to understand broader ongoing shifts. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode discusses political violence in the Philippines through a lens focus on the recent Toboso killings with scholar Patrick Peralta.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode reflects on the 2026 IISS Shangri-La Dialogue defence diplomacy dialogue held in Singapore last month with its key organizer Dr. Evan Laksamana and shares insights from their new annual report on Asia Security. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

At a time of increasing global crisis and greater uncertainty, this episode looks Japan’s deepening relations with Associate Professor Kei Koga and showcases how middle powers are strengthening ties with Southeast Asia.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at food security in the context of the changing weather conditions and the Iran war with RSIS’s Dr Jose Ma. Luis P. Montesclaros, highlighting variation in risks across the region and potential policy responses.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at recent developments in Papua with Dr. Hipo Wangge. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at the relationship between Russia and Southeast Asia with Dr. Ian Storey building on his seminal book Putin’s Russia and Southeast Asia.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at Thailand’s military and its changing political role with Dr. Paul Chambers. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at two different crisis impacting the region – energy with Peter Cockcroft triggered by the Iran War and the management of E-Waste the product of rising tonnes being trafficking into the region with Basil Action Network’s Wong Pui Yi.   Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode examines the geopolitical and environmental issues connected to the Mekong River with Stimson Center’s Senior Fellow Brian Eyler.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode examines recent developments in Myanmar, from changes in the military to the new federal arrangement announced by the National Unity Government with journalist Lorcan Lovett.   Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode examines how the war in Iran is impacting geopolitics and economies in Southeast Asia with expert journalist James Dorsey.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at contemporary labor rights issues in Southeast Asia with ILO’s technical specialist Benjamin Harkins.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode examines the New Zealand relationship with Southeast Asia with historian Malcolm McKinnon. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at the geopolitics of critical minerals in Southeast Asia with Dr. Alvin Camba. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode analyzes Indonesia's economic tremors with economist Dr Siwage Negara. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at Thailand’s 2026 general election with University of Michigan scholar Ken Lohatepanont, examining the victory of Bhumjaitai party, losses by Pheu Thai and People’s Party, changing voting patterns and implications ahead. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at Myanmar’s junta’s election and reflects on the five-year anniversary of the 2021 coup.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks ahead at what to expect with the 2026 ASEAN chairmanship of the Philippines with Dr. Don McLain Gill. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode examines the Vietnam Party Congress with Nguyen Khac Giang, tracing developments and broader ongoing political reforms taking place in Vietnam. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at the extradition of Chen Xi to China from Cambodia and the broader geopolitics of Cambodia’s scam economy with Harvard University Asia Center Visiting Fellow Jacob Sims. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks back at political developments in 2025, drawing attention to geopolitics, Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship, domestic power consolidation and strain and pressures for change.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/