Straight Talk Southeast Asia

This episode looks at contemporary Myanmar politics at the end of the 2025 with SEAPI political analyst/fellow Billy Ford, focusing on the Myanmar junta election, challenges for the opposition/resistance and what to look out for ahead. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at the economy in Southeast Asia over the past year with Lowi Institute's Roland Rajah, highlighting shocks, resilience and variation across the region. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at the recent COP30 meeting in Belem Brazil and how developments at the meeting connect to Southeast Asia, as well as policy trends around climate governance in ASEAN with Sharon Seah. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode catches up on developments in the region after the Sabah polls hiatus and fleshes out the lessons from Malaysia’s Sabah’s 2025 state polls for understanding the region’s changing politics. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at AI governance in Southeast Asia with Michael Bak, Head of Policy & Network  of AI Safety Asia. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at US President Trump’s visit to Malaysia and the 47th ASEAN Summit/Meetings in Kuala Lumpur chaired by PM Anwar Ibrahim with Dr. Ilango Karuppanan. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at how ASEAN has handled the conflict in Myanmar over the past year with Malaysia as Chair with Dr. Moe Thuzar of Singapore’s Iseas Yusof Ishak Institute. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at Timor Leste’s entry into ASEAN with scholar and NBR Fellow Ivo Ribiero. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode reflects on the genocides impacting Southeast Asia and speaks with Committee to Project Journalist’s (CPJ) Bey Lih Yi on the challenges impacting media freedom in Southeast Asia.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at trends regarding transnational crime/scam centers in Southeast Asia with transnational crime and security expert Jason Tower.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at Indonesia’s civil-military relations with Verve Research’s Natalie Sambhi and shares observations on contemporary Indonesian politics with BRIN’s Wasisto Raharjo Jati. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at the coming Bangsamoro elections in the Philippines with Georgi Engelbrecht. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at India’s relationship with Southeast Asia with JNU’s associate professor Rahul Mishra.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at the conflict in Papua with Dr. Hipolitus Wangge, examining recent trends and challenges. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode discusses factors shaping the recent protests in Indonesia with Dr Rendy Pahrun Wadipalapa of BRIN.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode focuses on contemporary developments and challenges facing Laos with Associate Professor Keith Barney of the Australian National University.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy with Jonathan Berkshire Miller, and highlights Canada’s increased engagement with the region.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at the major developments in Myanmar's economy since the junta coup of February 2021. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at the conflict in southern Thailand with long-term political analyst of this area Don Pathan. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at the border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand with Professor Gregory Raymond.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

In this episode, we are joined by Economist Doris Liew in a look at how Southeast Asia is responding to the Trump administration’s tariffs.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode discusses the Human Rights Watch report on the vulnerabilities of Myanmar nationals in Thailand and explores possible solutions.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at Vietnam’s administrative reforms profoundly reshaping local government and relationships with citizens with Hanh Nguyen.   Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at developments in contemporary Thailand and factors impacting shaping instability with Thai academic, activist and former member of parliament Kunthida Rungruengkiat.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at France’s engagement with Southeast Asia with IFRI’s Juliette Loesch, with analysis of contemporary Thailand and fallout of the escalation of the Iran-Iraq War on Southeast Asia from co-host Zachary Abuza. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/