
Asian Insider
Synopsis: Every Friday, get our distinct take on global issues with an Asian perspective, with ST’s globally-based correspondents.
Produced and edited by: Fa'izah Sani
Executive producer: Ernest Luis
A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.
Latest episodes

Jul 18, 2022 • 10min
S1E55: Analysing US President Joe Biden's trip to the Middle East: Washington Report
Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in the United States in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliott Danker. They discuss US President Joe Biden's first presidential trip to the Middle East where he confronted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. They also chat about former US President Donald Trump's potential return to Washington DC for the first time since he left office. Produced by: Nirmal Ghosh (nirmal@sph.com.sg) & Money FM's Breakfast Huddle team Edited by: Nadhirah Kamarudin Follow Washington Report every Monday on our Asian Insider Podcast channel: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wQsB Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Websites: https://www.moneyfm893.sg/ http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Nirmal Ghosh's articles: https://str.sg/JbxG Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m SG Extra: https://str.sg/wukR #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 14, 2022 • 17min
S1E87: "Quad-father" Shinzo Abe's legacy to Japan, India and a free and open Indo-Pacific: Asian Insider
Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh presents an Asian perspective of the biggest global talking points with expert guests. In this episode, Nirmal Ghosh hosts Dr Aparna Pande, Research Fellow & director of Hudson Institute's Initiative on the Future of India and South Asia, and ST's Japan correspondent Walter Sim. When news of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s assassination on July 8 broke upon a disbelieving world, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi was possibly the first leader to declare national mourning with the Indian flag at half-staff throughout the land – and then blogged about his "dear friend". The Japan-India relationship is a long one, and it suits both to see the other rise because, among other commonalities, neither considers the other a threat. And under Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Japan is set to continue on the same track. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:15 Why Japan will pursue a more muscular foreign policy following Abe's legacy 4:55 Public sentiment on revision of Japan's pacifist constitution that was drafted by the United States, which came into force in 1947 7:50 Abe popularly known as the "Quad-father": How important is his legacy to a free and open Indo-Pacific? 11:25 Why Japan could become more of a consensus leader if sustained US presence in Asia does not pan out in coming years Produced by: Nirmal Ghosh (nirmal@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Teo Tong Kai and Eden Soh Edited by: Eden Soh Subscribe to the Asian Insider Podcast channel and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wQsB Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow Nirmal Ghosh on Twitter: https://str.sg/JD7r Read Nirmal Ghosh's stories: https://str.sg/JbxG Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters Asian Insider videos: https://str.sg/wdcC --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m SG Extra: https://str.sg/wukR #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #STAsianInsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 14, 2022 • 10min
S1E15: An “Asian Nato"? - Power Play
Synopsis: On the third Friday of every month, The Straits Times examines various facets of the US-China rivalry and its implications for Asia. Join Charissa Yong and Danson Cheong - ST’s US and China correspondents respectively based in Washington DC and Beijing - as they chat about the prospect or possibility of an "Asian Nato". Nato is the well-known US-led military alliance in Europe. But how likely is a similar scenario in Asia? And what will this mean for China, which has been vocal about its concerns? Highlights (click/tap above): 0:40 What recently triggered this talk of an "Asian Nato"? What was China's response? 2:31 Are we seeing the makings of an "Asian Nato”? How did we get to this point? 4:45 A solidifying shift against China in the region? 8:17 Will we see Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea join Nato? Produced by: Charissa Yong (charyong@sph.com.sg), Danson Cheong (dansonc@sph.com.sg), Eden Soh and Teo Tong Kai Edited by: Teo Tong Kai Follow our Asian Insider Podcast channel every week here and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wQsB SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Charissa Yong's stories: https://str.sg/3xRa Read Danson Cheong's stories: https://str.sg/3xR2 Follow Danson on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dansoncj Read ST's Power Play articles: https://str.sg/3xRE Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #STAsianInsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 13, 2022 • 9min
S1E56: Future of Sri Lanka in question: Regional Roundup
Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses South-east Asia's top news developments in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' regional correspondent Leslie Lopez chats with Money FM's Elliott Danker. They discuss Malaysia and Philippines' respective ongoing struggles with Covid-19, the battle between Malaysia and Indonesia in palm oil exports, and the future of leadership in Sri Lanka following the current president's recent removal from power. Produced by: Leslie Lopez (ljlopez@sph.com.sg) & Money FM's Breakfast Huddle team Edited by: Nadhirah Kamarudin Follow Regional Round-up Podcast every Wednesday on our Asian Insider Podcast channel: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wQsB Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Websites: https://www.moneyfm893.sg/ http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Leslie Lopez's articles: https://str.sg/3xRX Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m SG Extra: https://str.sg/wukR #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 13, 2022 • 19min
S1E1: How Chinese money transformed Cambodian coastal town Sihanoukville: Asian Insider
Synopsis: The Straits Times' foreign editor Bhagyashree Garekar hosts ST’s Indochina bureau chief Tan Hui Yee. They talk about China’s presence especially in this region in light of Hui Yee's recent reporting trip to Cambodia. She visited Sihanoukville, a quiet coastal town which has been transformed by Chinese investment. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, a flood of Chinese casino and hotel investments brought a construction boom to the Cambodian coastal city. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:00 The transformation of Sihanoukville 3:55 How do residents in Sihanoukville feel? Did Cambodian businesses feel sidelined? 6:52 Surveys of regional policymakers, academicians and businessmen show China is the least trusted country in the region; but is this feeling as intense on the ground in countries like Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia? 10:25 Chinese loans, Laos and fears that it could become the next Sri Lanka, with a high debt burden 16:10 Other big China Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects in the region: Are they proceeding as planned? Produced by: Bhagyashree Garekar (bhagya@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim and Eden Soh Edited by: Eden Soh Subscribe to the Asian Insider Podcast channel and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wQsB Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Bhagyashree Garekar’s articles: https://str.sg/whNo Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters Asian Insider videos: https://str.sg/wdcC --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m SG Extra: https://str.sg/wukR #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #STAsianInsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 12, 2022 • 8min
S1E54: Public scepticism grows over China's response to increasing Covid-19 cases: China Perspective
Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in China in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' China bureau chief Tan Dawn Wei chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliott Danker. They review the results of a survey that illustrated the public's willingness to stay in China, and the discussion US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken had with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the topic of Russian aggression in Ukraine. Produced by: Tan Dawn Wei (dawntan@sph.com.sg) & Money FM's Breakfast Huddle team Edited by: Vikraman Venketasubramanian Follow China Perspective Podcast every Tuesday on our Asian Insider Podcast channel: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wQsB Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Websites: https://www.moneyfm893.sg/ http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Tan Dawn Wei's articles: https://str.sg/3xR7 Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m SG Extra: https://str.sg/wukR #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 7, 2022 • 17min
S1E13: A feminist foreign policy for Asia? - Speaking Of Asia
Synopsis: Every second Friday of the month, join The Straits Times' associate editor Ravi Velloor, as he distils his experience from four decades of covering the continent. In this episode, he hosts Ms Eirliani Abdul Rahman, former Singapore diplomat and co-founder of the Berlin-backed Global Diplomacy Lab, to discuss if a feminine foreign policy (FFP) could prove a balm for global conflicts and tension points such as Ukraine, Afghanistan and the South China Sea. They also discuss the role of women diplomats and ask the question: What would it take for Asian nations to have more feminist-oriented external policies? Highlights (click/tap above): 1:54 What is feminine foreign policy (FFP)? Could FFP be applied in the context of Ukraine and Afghanistan? 8:50 Where is Singapore in the FFP space? 10:08 How FFP principles would help in solving the South China Sea dispute 12:20 Women in diplomacy vs masculinity in foreign policy; do women diplomats feel a need to act like men? 15:30 What can Asian foreign ministries do to promote FFP? Produced by: Ravi Velloor (velloor@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Teo Tong Kai Edited by: Teo Tong Kai Subscribe to our Asian Insider Podcast channel to follow our various shows each week and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wQsB Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Websites: https://www.moneyfm893.sg/ http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Ravi Velloor's columns: https://str.sg/3xRP Ravi Velloor on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RaviVelloor Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m SG Extra: https://str.sg/wukR #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #STAsianInsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 7, 2022 • 9min
S1E1: Is Japan's coalition heading for an Upper House election win? - Asian Insider
Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses East Asia's top news developments in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' Japan correspondent Walter Sim chats with Money FM's Elliott Danker. They discuss Japan's upcoming Upper House election, the importance of a Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) win and the battle for the Okinawa prefectural constituency. Produced by: Walter Sim (waltsim@sph.com.sg) & Money FM's Breakfast Huddle team Edited by: Nadhirah Kamarudin Follow Regional Round-up Podcast every Wednesday on our Asian Insider Podcast channel: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wQsB Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Websites: https://www.moneyfm893.sg/ http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Leslie Lopez's articles: https://str.sg/3xRX Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m SG Extra: https://str.sg/wukR #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 6, 2022 • 9min
S1E55: Can Malaysia tame inflation with back-to-back rate hikes? - Regional Roundup
Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses South-east Asia's top news developments in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' regional correspondent Leslie Lopez chats with Money FM's Elliott Danker. They discuss Malaysia’s central bank Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) increasing the overnight policy rate by 25 basis points to 2.25 per cent, to tame inflation. They also cover how Malaysian authorities are not indicating when they will lift their chicken export ban, and highlights of Indonesian President Joko Widodo's visit to Ukraine and Russia, and the Chinese foreign minister’s ‘advice’ to Myanmar. Produced by: Leslie Lopez (ljlopez@sph.com.sg) & Money FM's Breakfast Huddle team Edited by: Nadhirah Kamarudin Follow Regional Round-up Podcast every Wednesday on our Asian Insider Podcast channel: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wQsB Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Websites: https://www.moneyfm893.sg/ http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Leslie Lopez's articles: https://str.sg/3xRX Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m SG Extra: https://str.sg/wukR #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 5, 2022 • 7min
S1E53: Eastern China cities tighten Covid curbs: China Perspective
Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in China in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' China bureau chief Tan Dawn Wei chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliott Danker. The team discusses China tightening Covid-19 curbs for cities in the eastern part of the country. Also, China has hit back at New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s comments on them. They also chat about Chinese Premier Xi Jinping, coming out to defend China’s style of ruling Hong Kong. Produced by: Tan Dawn Wei (dawntan@sph.com.sg) & Money FM's Breakfast Huddle team Edited by: Nadhirah Kamarudin Follow China Perspective Podcast every Tuesday on our Asian Insider Podcast channel: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wQsB Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Websites: https://www.moneyfm893.sg/ http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Tan Dawn Wei's articles: https://str.sg/3xR7 Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m SG Extra: https://str.sg/wukR #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.