Straight Talk Southeast Asia

This episode looks at the transformation of Southeast Asia’s energy sector with a focus on nuclear power with Dr. Alvin Chew who concentrates on Singapore but also looks at trends across the region. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at Indonesian foreign policy under President Prabowo Subianto with Dr. Yohanes Sulaiman. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at the recent ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur and challenges facing the regional organization with Prof Dewi Fortuna Anwar.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode discusses developments in elite politics in Thailand with scholar Ken Lohatepanont.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode discusses the May 2025 Philippine midterm elections with ProCleo Anne Calimbahin, highlighting the changes in fortunes for prominent political families, the impact on President Marcos and potential for political reform ahead.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at the Funan Techo Canal in Cambodia and the challenges of transwater diplomacy in Southeast Asia with Dr. Brian Eyler. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at the upcoming May 12 midterm elections in the Philippines with Professor Ronald Holmes of De La Salle University.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode examines the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, and Vietnam’s political, diplomatic, and economic development since then, and the 30th anniversary of the founding of bilateral diplomatic relations between the US and Vietnam with Dr. Huong Le Thu, deputy Director for Asia at the International Crisis Group. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at Singapore’s 15th General Election with Dr. Elvin Ong, discussing the issues and how politics in Southeast Asia’s city-state are changing.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at China President Xi Jinpeng’s historic visit to Southeast Asia, focusing in on Malaysia with Assoc Prof Khoo Hing Yooi. Discussion also looks at ASEAN and the Myanmar earthquake.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode examines food security in Southeast Asia with RSIS’s Dr Jose Ma. Luis P. Montesclaros, paying special attention to the impact of the US-China trade war and tariffs. We also reflect on the legacy of Malaysia’s fifth prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks in-depth at the Myanmar earthquake, the domestic and international responses and broader implications with Khin Ohmar from of Progressive Voices, Myanmar Human Rights Council. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at key developments in Southeast Asia as the region is facing shocks from earthquakes to cuts in humanitarian aid, before turning to a conversation with US policy analyst Steven Okun on how the Trump tariffs are unfolding in Southeast Asia.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at recent measures by the Prabowo Subianto government that have caused concerns about an erosion of democracy and weakening of governance in Indonesia, from the new bill on military (TNI) power to attacks on civil society and media.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at the arrest of Rodrigo Duterte with Carlos Conde of Human Rights Watch who argues for the need to look beyond the elites to the victims of the crimes against humanity conducted.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at trends in democratic backsliding and challenges to human rights in the region with human rights activist Phil Robertson.  We are a pivotal point in democracy in Southeast Asia, with the withdrawal of support for aid and rise of new threats to human rights. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

In this climate of cuts in support for democracy and serious challenges facing journalism, this episode looks at how the Democratic Voice of Burma has not only survived but thrived with its co-founder Aye Chan Naing.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at Southeast Asia’s view of the Ukraine-Russia war on the week of the three year anniversary of the Russia invasion of Ukraine.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at how civil society in Southeast Asia is working to address the increasing victimization of citizens in the region with a focus on rescue operations of Malaysian victims. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode will look at the first round of tariffs of the Trump administration and how they may impact Southeast Asia and look ahead to what could be consequences for future tariffs on businesses and economies in the region with economist Trinh Nguyen. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at humanitarian aid in Southeast Asia and analyzes trends and effects of the recent freeze on international support by the United States on the region. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

On the four-year anniversary of Myanmar’s coup, this episode discusses governance in Myanmar with U Kyaw Zaw, the spokesperson of President's Office of National Unity Government, highlighting the junta’s mismanagement and high costs of a proposed ‘election’.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks at recent trends in social media contestation in Southeast Asia and their impact on the region’s politics.  Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

With a focus on US policy towards Southeast Asia, this episode looks back at the legacy of the Biden administration and forward to the incoming Trump administration. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode looks back on 2024 and ahead to the new year, discussing trends in Southeast Asia’s politics. Am joined with my new co-host and co-curator Professor Zachary Abuza. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/