
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

Nov 18, 2021 • 8min
S1E7: Xi-Biden meeting and communication key to future relations: Power Play Ep 7
Power Play Ep 7: Xi-Biden meeting and communication key to future relations 7:50 mins 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 following: Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 01:16 Virtual summit expected to improve US-China relations 03:20 Value of communication between Xi and Biden important to avoid misunderstandings 05:19 How will the virtual summit shine light on the issue of Taiwan? 06:12 Climate cooperation is one of the silver linings of the summit Produced by: Charissa Yong (charyong@sph.com.sg), Danson Cheong (dansonc@sph.com.sg), Hadyu Rahim & Fa'izah Sani Edited by: Dan Koh 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.

Nov 17, 2021 • 10min
S1E24: Indonesia's new Covid mutation of AY.23 similar to Delta Plus variant: Regional Round-up Ep 24
Regional Round-up Ep 24: Indonesia's new Covid mutation of AY.23 similar to Delta Plus variant 9:52 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses South-east Asia's top news developments. The Straits Times' regional correspondent Leslie Lopez chats with Money FM's Elliot Danker and Bharati Jagdish. 0:00 Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 1:05 Possible of quarantine-free land travel between Singapore and Malaysia 3:09 New AY.23 mutation originating in Indonesia shares similarities with the Delta Plus variant that has cropped up in Britain 4:43 Payments made to officers allegedly linked to Indonesian navy - linked to possible piracy - and how it has been denied by authorities so far 6:30 Electoral fraud in Myanmar and what it means for Aung San Suu Kyi 7:54 Sara Duterte-Carpio - eldest daughter of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte - has filed her candidacy for Vice President Produced by: The Breakfast Huddle, Money FM 89.3, Fa'izah Sani Edited by: Dan Koh 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/Ju4h Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Leslie Lopez's stories. Asian Insider newsletter. --- Discover more ST podcast series: Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: http://bt.sg/podcasts Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 16, 2021 • 8min
S1E20: Working out China-US issues in the latest virtual summit: China Perspective Ep 20
China Perspective Ep 20: Working out China-US issues in the latest virtual summit 8:08 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in China. The Straits Times' China bureau chief Tan Dawn Wei chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliot Danker and Bharati Jagdish. 0:00 Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 0:37 Expectations from US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping's virtual summit 3:32 High stakes as China and Japan mark 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2022 5:39 Singles' Day toned down due to Beijing cracking down on businesses and slow economic growth Produced by: The Breakfast Huddle, Money FM 89.3 & Fa'izah Sani Edited by: Dan Koh 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/Ju4h Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Tan Dawn Wei's stories. Asian Insider newsletter. --- Discover more ST podcast series: Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: 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.

Nov 15, 2021 • 10min
S1E23: First virtual summit for US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping: Washington Report Ep 23
Washington Report Ep 23: First virtual summit for US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping 10:23 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in the United States. The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliot Danker and Bharati Jagdish. 0:00 Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 1:19 Objectives of Biden & Xi for the virtual meeting 4:15 How the US and China can prevent reviving the 'Cold War'? 6:20 Taiwan a major flashpoint between US and China 8:45 FBI email system was hacked due to software misconfiguration Produced by: The Breakfast Huddle, Money FM 89.3, Ernest Luis & Fa'izah Sani Edited by: Dan Koh 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/Ju4h Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Nirmal Ghosh's stories. Asian Insider newsletter. --- Discover more ST podcast series: Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: 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.

Nov 11, 2021 • 38min
S1E7: Will immigrants really define our destiny? - Speaking Of Asia Ep 7
Speaking of Asia Ep 7: Will immigrants really define our destiny? 37:57 mins Synopsis: Join The Straits Times's associate editor Ravi Velloor, in this series of podcasts as he distils his experience from four decades of covering the continent. In this seventh episode, he hosts Dr Parag Khanna, a scholar, global thinker and the author of several books. His experience varies from working at the World Economic Forum to advising the US Special Operations in the Middle East. Now living in Singapore as a citizen, Dr Khanna has launched his latest book called MOVE-The Forces Uprooting Us. He separates demographic facts from the usual emotions stirred by debates over migration. The book’s central point is that human mobility is destiny. They discuss the following timestamped points: The global potential of Asian youth and Asian migrant trends: Who will be the winners and losers in the 21st century? (6:17) Dr Khanna breaks down the Asian diaspora: Why the Indian diaspora will be far larger than the Chinese diaspora in the next few decades (8:50) Assess countries' historical actions and just the demographic facts, as no attempts to boost fertility have worked (15:00) Lessons for Singapore as it practises a complex but rather constructive tinkering approach mixed with Singaporean-first policies? (17:35) Why Singapore's constructive tinkering can be advertised and branded better to the world; why "collecting" people is "collecting power" (20:00) Dr Khanna says there are 35 million global companies that are location-independent: Why Dubai wants a slice of that action, and can Singapore learn from it? (25:53) Only two countries offering digital nomad visas pre-Covid; now there are 75 countries (29:40) Can societies not be affected when the immigrant is physically present but has loyalties elsewhere? (34:34) Produced by: Ravi Velloor (velloor@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim and Fa'izah Sani Edited by: Dan Koh & Fa'izah Sani 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/Ju4h Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Website: 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.

Nov 11, 2021 • 9min
S1E13: Hong Kong's wider wealth gap as poverty rate reaches 12-year-high: Inside Hong Kong Ep 13
Inside Hong Kong Ep 13: Hong Kong's wider wealth gap as poverty rate reaches 12-year-high 9:05 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in Hong Kong. The Straits Times' Hong Kong correspondent Claire Huang speaks with Money FM's Rachel Kelly and Timothy Go on the following points: Hong Kong's poverty rate has reached a 12-year high (0:57) The most expensive apartment sold - sign of wider wealth gap in Hong Kong (2:50) Border between mainland China and Hong Kong could reopen in Jan 2022 for quarantine-free travel (4:26) Hong Kong-based poll shows that many journalists are considering leaving the country due to press freedom (7:11) Produced by: Prime Time, Money FM 89.3 & Fa'izah Sani Edited by: Nadiah Koh 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/Ju4h Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Claire Huang's stories: https://str.sg/3xR6 Follow Claire Huang on Twitter: https://str.sg/3xRL Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters --- Discover more ST podcast series: Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: 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.

Nov 10, 2021 • 11min
S1E23: Possibility of land travel lane between Singapore and Malaysia: Regional Round-up Ep 23
Regional Round-up Ep 23: Possibility of land travel lane between Singapore and Malaysia 10:34 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses South-east Asia's top news developments. The Straits Times' regional correspondent Leslie Lopez chats with Money FM's Elliot Danker and Bharati Jagdish about the following points: Flight Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) between Singapore and Malaysia begins Nov 29 and the possibility of a land travel lane (0:47) The justification behind Malaysia's High Court ordering the Government to return assets seized from former Prime Minister Najib Razak and family (3:33) Melaka election happening on Nov 20 in a three-cornered fight (5:49) Former Governor of New Mexico, Bill Richardson, claims Myanmar's junta Senior General Min Aung Hlaing is open to working with the world on humanitarian relief (8:28) Produced by: The Breakfast Huddle, Money FM 89.3, Fa'izah Sani Edited by: Dan Koh 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/Ju4h Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Leslie Lopez's stories. Asian Insider newsletter. --- Discover more ST podcast series: Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: http://bt.sg/podcasts Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 9, 2021 • 18min
S1E78: Drive carbon emissions down, says UNDP chief during COP26 2nd week: Asian Insider Ep 79
Asian Insider Ep 78: Drive carbon emissions down, says UNDP chief during COP26 2nd week 17:57 mins Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh presents an Asian perspective of the week's global talking points with expert guests. In this episode, Nirmal Ghosh hosts Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), who is now at the ongoing COP26 climate conference in Glasgow till Nov 12. They discuss the following points: Small islands and small island states facing a climate injustice issue: Failure to deliver climate promises? (3:00) Why they do not qualify for international development finance and have suffered from slow climate financing (4:25) On potential economic disruption, competition for resources, the next generation feeling disengagement (5:40) Steiner's view on the role and future of teenage Swedish environment activist Greta Thunberg, and why more 'Gretas' in various continents will start emerging (9:30) We are not a laboratory: There are more lower cost alternatives existing now to tackle climate crisis instead of relying on so-called "breakthrough" carbon capture and geoengineering (11:32) Produced by: Nirmal Ghosh (nirmal@sph.com.sg) and Ernest Luis Edited by: Hadyu Rahim 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/Ju4h 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 Asian Insider newsletter: https://www.straitstimes.com/tags/asian-insider Asian Insider videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnK3VE4BKduMSOntUoS6ALNp21jMmgfBX --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #STAsianInsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 9, 2021 • 8min
S1E19: China's Covid-Zero policy coming under increasing pressure: China Perspective Ep 19
China Perspective Ep 19: China's Covid-Zero policy coming under increasing pressure 8:27 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in China. The Straits Times' China bureau chief Tan Dawn Wei chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliot Danker and Bharati Jagdish about the following points: The significance behind CPP (Chinese Communist Party) Central Committee's sixth plenary session in terms of China's history (1:05) China's party deliberating the new succession system and possibly, a woman in the line-up of leadership (3:22) China's efforts to eliminate Covid-19 coming under increasing pressure (5:44) Produced by: The Breakfast Huddle, Money FM 89.3 & Fa'izah Sani Edited by: Dan Koh 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/Ju4h Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Tan Dawn Wei's stories. Asian Insider newsletter. --- Discover more ST podcast series: Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: 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.

Nov 8, 2021 • 10min
S1E22: Why US infrastructure bill shows Biden is pro-working class President: Washington Report Ep 22
Washington Report Ep 22: Why US infrastructure bill shows Biden is pro-working class President 10:04 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in the United States. The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliot Danker and Bharati Jagdish about the following points: What's next after passing of US President Joe Biden's US$1 trillion infrastructure bill (3:22) US Federal Appeals Court freezes Biden's rule requiring US company employees to be vaccinated or get weekly testings (4:57) Implications of FDA's final approval of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for 5-11 year-olds in the US (7:10) Mexicans crossing borders into the US to get approved-Covid19 vaccines before new rules set in; what are these rules? (8:13) Produced by: The Breakfast Huddle, Money FM 89.3, Ernest Luis & Fa'izah Sani Edited by: Dan Koh 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/Ju4h Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Nirmal Ghosh's stories: https://www.straitstimes.com/authors/nirmal-ghosh Asian Insider newsletter: https://www.straitstimes.com/tags/asian-insider --- Discover more ST podcast series: Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: 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.