Why Should We Care About the Indo-Pacific?

In this compelling episode, Dr. Ely Ratner , former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, sits down with Ray and Jim to discuss his provocative Foreign Affairs essay " The Case for a Pacific Defense Pact ." Dr. Ratner argues that China's rapid military modernization and regional ambitions necessitate a fundamental shift from America's traditional "hub-and-spoke" bi...

In this illuminating bonus crossover episode , co-hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso joined the "At the Boundary" podcast from the Global and National Security Institute to discuss the critical importance of the Indo-Pacific region for global security and implications for the second term of the Trump administration. Explore key issues, including China's territorial ambitions, the strategic importanc...

In this episode, hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso welcome National Review senior political correspondent & Washington Post columnist Jim Geraghty for a wide-ranging discussion that moves from how intelligence agencies are increasingly convinced that Beijing covered up COVID-19's laboratory origins to China's heavy influence on U.S. and international institutions to America's shifting global me...

In this episode, hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso sit down with Cleo Paskal , a leading Indo-Pacific analyst and non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, to unpack the growing threat of China’s gray zone influence in the Pacific Islands and why it matters for the United States and its allies. Paskal explains the strategic significance of the Pacific Islands, whi...

Recorded live at the 40th Space Symposium event in Colorado Springs, CO, this week's bonus crossover episode features a powerful conversation from HawkEye 360’s Salon Breakfast Panel, Illuminating Chinese Military Activity in the Indo-Pacific Region. Moderated by Kari Bingen, the panel brings together expert perspectives from co-host Ray Powell, Kimberly Lehn, Corey Johnston, and Mike Studeman to...

In this compelling episode, hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso interview Luke de Pulford , founder and executive director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), who provides an in-depth look at this growing international coalition’s mission of transcending borders and party politics to reform policy on China. IPAC is a cross-party alliance of lawmakers from democratic countries focused...

Retired General Mike Minihan , former commander of Air Mobility Command and deputy commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, joins Jim and Ray to talk about how America’s alarming shortfall in military airlift could affect deterrence and readiness in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. General Minihan describes logistics as "the offensive line of a [American] football team"--rarely getting the glory but esse...

This episode features Nitin A. Gokhale , one of South Asia’s leading strategic affairs analysts, who joins co-hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso to break down the ongoing conflict along the India-Pakistan border, offering expert insight into its origins, recent triggers and global stakes. The conflict’s roots trace back to the 1947 partition of India and the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir,...

How will Australia's dramatic election results impact its domestic, regional and global political and economic affairs? In this special episode–originally aired live–hosts Jim Carouso and Ray Powell are joined by special guests Mick McNeill and Michael Rowland for an in-depth discussion on Australia's changing political landscape and the election’s far-reaching implications, including: A comprehen...

Paul Everingham joins Ray and Jim to explain that liquefied natural gas (LNG) demand in Asia is expected to nearly double by 2050. The initial growth will be driven by North Asia (especially China), with South Asia and Southeast Asia becoming the main growth centers after 2035. This surge is tied to Asia’s rapid economic development, growing energy needs, and the region’s transition from coal. Asi...

In an episode originally released by The German Marshall Fund's China Global Podcast with Bonnie Glaser , managing director of GMF’s Indo-Pacific program, co-host Ray Powell was interviewed about recent developments in the Yellow Sea and China’s broader gray zone tactics in the maritime realm. --- This episode of the China Global podcast discusses evolving disputes between China and South Korea, s...

In this compelling episode of "Why Should We Care about the Indo-Pacific," hosts Ray Powell and James Carouso welcome Joe Hockey, former Australian Treasurer and Ambassador to the United States. Hockey, who now heads Bondi Partners, offers unique insights into U.S.-Australia relations during both Trump administrations. Episode Highlights: Hockey shares his firsthand experience of "Trumpageddon" du...

Mark Lambert, the recently retired head of the State Department’s China House, joins Jim and Ray to share his insights into the impacts of America’s radical new tariff policy from his extensive diplomatic career in Asia, including postings in China, Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan. Lambert, having just returned from a trip to Beijing, provides a unique perspective on how Chinese officials and experts...

Corrected release (original contained the wrong audio file). In an episode originally released by the China Global South Podcast titled, "South China Sea Update: Will the U.S. Really Defend the Philippines Against China?", co-host Ray Powell was interviewed about his work illuminating China's maritime gray-zone activities with SeaLight , and about the South China Sea security situation more broadl...

Founder and CEO of APAC Advisors Steve Okun joins Jim and Ray to talk about the suddenly raging trade war between the U.S. and China and what kind of impact it may have on the global trading system. Steve observes that international investment is largely frozen due to the uncertainty about what the U.S. goals are, which tariffs are temporary versus permanent, and whether the U.S. and China can com...

Author and Chatham House Associate Fellow Bill Hayton joins the podcast to explain how Vietnam has embarked on its own campaign to build artificial islands in the South China Sea, a decade after China pursued its own campaign. While Vietnam’s new artificial island bases will alter the South China Sea balance of power, China’s response has been muted, especially compared to its aggressive oppositio...

In our second post-“Liberation Day” episode we are joined by John Goyer , Executive Director for Southeast Asia for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, to discuss the impact of America’s now-suspended tariff increases on Southeast Asian countries and on the U.S. John observes that American consumers are likely to experience significant price increases if these tariffs go into effect, since the reason U....

Jim and Ray welcome Chris Johnstone , a Japan expert and former CIA, National Security Council, and Pentagon official, to discuss the implications of the recently announced U.S. tariffs on Japan’s economy, politics, trade policies, and alliance with America. Chris explains Japan's crucial role as a node in America’s Indo-Pacific alliance structure, but also, since the 2017 U.S. withdrawal from the...

Two of India’s most respected foreign policy, national security and international relations experts, former Ambassador Alok Prasad and Mr. Vaman Desai , join Jim and Ray to explore the evolving bilateral relationship between the U.S. and India, which is increasingly seen as one of the globe’s defining partnership for the 21st century. They reflect on the recent visit to Washington by Prime Ministe...

Former Singaporean diplomat Bilihari Kausikan joins Jim and Ray to discuss the implications of Donald Trump’s second term and his “America First” policies for Asia. Bilihari emphasizes that a focus on domestic policy is not unusual for U.S. presidents, and that Asian countries have learned to adapt practically to American policy changes. In fact, he believes that the current administration’s polic...

Why Should We (and especially Taiwan) Care About China’s New “Invasion Barges”? Defense expert Tom Shugart joins Ray and Jim to explain China’s so-called “ invasion barges ”, which have recently gained wide attention exercising along China’s coast. Tom explains how these barges are a significant leap forward for China’s ability to carry out a Taiwan invasion. Tom explains how these barges would be...

Ray and Jim welcome Dr. Sal Mercogliano, maritime historian and host of the popular YouTube channel What’s Going on with Shipping? , to talk about how “dark fleets”--or what he calls "parallel fleets"--challenge maritime law and Indo-Pacific security by evading international shipping regulations and sanctions against malign actors. Sal talks about how Russia is the country most associated with dar...

Jim and Ray welcome broadcast journalist and news anchor Regina Lay to discuss the dramatic feud between the Marcos and Duterte political dynasties in the Philippines. Just three years ago these families were united behind a “Uniteam” ticket which secured an overwhelming electoral victory, but today Vice President Sara Duterte stands impeached and former President Rodrigo Duterte has been handed o...

Jim and Ray welcome BowerGroupAsia CEO Ernie Bower to discuss how U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs will affect regional trade dynamics. Ernie explains Trump often uses tariffs and tariff threats to achieve both trade and non-economic objectives, this also creates significant uncertainty for American companies which must quickly adjust their strategies. He explains how investment in the U.S. h...

Jim and Ray welcome Taiwan Member of Parliament Wang Ting-Yu to discuss the “gray zone” warfare being prosecuted daily by China against his country, highlighted by the recent spate of subsea power and communications cables that link Taiwan’s main island to its outer islands and the world. Mr. Wang emphasizes that Taiwan’s government remains under constant threat of subversion, coercion, espionage...