
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

Aug 31, 2021 • 11min
S1E11: Examining factors for possible China-Taliban alliance: China Perspective Ep 11
China Perspective Ep 11: Examining factors for possible China-Taliban alliance 10:32 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in China. Dr Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow at Singapore Institute of International Affairs, stands in for The Straits Times' China bureau chief Tan Dawn Wei, who is on leave. He chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliott Danker about the following points: Where does China stand with regards to the "new" Afghanistan (1:57) Could the China-Taliban alliance hurt China on the flip side? (4:40) Objectives behind China's panda diplomacy (6:29) How has the Covid-19 pandemic affected the policy? (8:36) 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: https://www.straitstimes.com/authors/tan-dawn-wei 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.

Aug 30, 2021 • 10min
S1E12: Potential Taleban-ISIS-K conflict after US' Afghanistan exit: Washington Report Ep 12
Washington Report Ep 12: Potential Taleban-ISIS-K conflict after US' Afghanistan exit 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 Elliott Danker about the following points: Analysing the US forces' final phase of leaving Kabul airport and proposed Turkish security management of airport (1:25) Former president Donald Trump's allegation of potential terrorist dangers posed by those among Afghan refugees (3:30) What do we know about Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K), the ISIS affiliate? (5:45) Potential Taleban vs ISIS-K conflict that could spark a civil war (7:50) Produced by: The Breakfast Huddle, Money FM 89.3, Ernest Luis & Hadyu Rahim 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.

Aug 26, 2021 • 26min
S1E74: What the US' Afghanistan exit means for Asia's regional powers: Asian Insider Ep 75
Asian Insider Ep 75: What the US' Afghanistan exit means for Asia's regional powers 25:33 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. What the American failure in Afghanistan, India's unrealised political promises and an emboldened China means for dynamics in Asia? Nirmal Ghosh chats with two expert guests. Associate Professor Christine Fair is with the Security Studies Program within the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, Washington DC. Prakhar Sharma is a currently New York-based political analyst who has studied Afghanistan for 15 years and lived in the country for several years prior to 2016. They discuss the following points: How China & Russia had normalised the Taleban even before the 9/11 attacks (2:30) Why China ignores human rights abuses in favour of a stable Afghanistan under the Taleban (5:50) Pakistan has been a spoiler in Afghanistan's national development (9:19) Why Pakistan will continue to bargain with the US, extracting aid to fight terrorism - and Washington will acquiesce (11:17) What the American failure in Afghanistan, India's unrealised promise, and China's rise means for regional dynamics and relations with the US (18:49) Should friends and allies henceforth doubt the US' staying power? (20:01) Produced by: Nirmal Ghosh (nirmal@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis & Fa'izah Sani 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.

Aug 26, 2021 • 11min
S1E8: Hong Kong's upcoming new and toughened laws: Inside Hong Kong Ep 8
Inside Hong Kong Ep 8: Hong Kong's upcoming new and toughened laws 10:30 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: New data privacy law will create complications for Hong Kong's business community (1:58) Toughened new censorship law to scrutinise past films for national security breaches (3:17) Reactions to Hong Kong's decision to reimpose strict quarantine policies (5:19) More unions under threat due to national security laws (7:51) 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://www.straitstimes.com/authors/claire-huang 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.

Aug 25, 2021 • 11min
S1E12: Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s first week in office as Malaysia's 9th PM: Regional Round-up Ep 12
Regional Round-up Ep 12: Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s first week in office as Malaysia's 9th PM 10:39 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 Adrian Abraham about the following points: Who could be deputy to new Malaysian PM Ismail Sabri? (1:18) New Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s decision against a bipartisan government (4:17) President Rodrigo Duterte’s plans to run for Vice-President in the Philippines and how it could work in current political system (7:00) Produced by: The Breakfast Huddle, Money FM 89.3, Ernest Luis & Penelope Lee 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: https://www.straitstimes.com/authors/leslie-lopez 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: http://bt.sg/podcasts Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 24, 2021 • 9min
S1E10: Chinese President Xi Jinping’s plans for 'common prosperity': China Perspective Ep 10
China Perspective Ep 10: Chinese President Xi Jinping’s plans for 'common prosperity' 8:55 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in China. Dr Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow at Singapore Institute of International Affairs, stands in for The Straits Times' China bureau chief Tan Dawn Wei, who is on leave. He chats with Money FM 89.3's Adrian Abraham and Ryan Huang about the following points: The origin and objective of China's 'common prosperity' term (1:26) China's worries over the country's widening wealth gap (3:51) Over 40 initial public offerings (IPOs) halted due to misconduct (5:32) Chinese citizen sentiment towards even wealth distribution (7:06) 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 Tan Dawn Wei's stories: https://www.straitstimes.com/authors/tan-dawn-wei 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.

Aug 24, 2021 • 9min
S1E11: How Afghanistan's Kabul airport became a scene of chaos: Washington Report Ep 11
Washington Report Ep 11: How Afghanistan's Kabul airport became a scene of chaos 9:25 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 Adrian Abraham and Ryan Huang about the following points: The magnitude of the Kabul airport evacuation and refugee relocation (1:37) Chaos in evacuation operation due to unanticipated timing of Taleban takeover (3:53) How many evacuated, and how many more left waiting(4:44) How the situation is piling on political pressure on Biden in the US (7:20) 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.

Aug 19, 2021 • 9min
S1E4: China, US and politics of the Olympics: Power Play Ep 4
Power Play Ep 4: China, US and politics of the Olympics 9:01 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: The Olympics - a neutral or an intensely political competition? (0:35) Why the US plans to boycott the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022; difference between an athlete and a diplomatic boycott (2:39) How will Beijing respond to a diplomatic boycott? (5:42) What does the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games mean to China? (6:22) Follow ST's Power Play articles: https://www.straitstimes.com/tags/st-power-play Produced by: Charissa Yong (charyong@sph.com.sg), Danson Cheong (dansonc@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, 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.

Aug 19, 2021 • 13min
S1E11: Malaysia awaits its next Prime Minister: Regional Round-up Ep 11
Regional Round-up Ep 11: Malaysia awaits its next Prime Minister 12:36 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 Adrian Abraham and Ryan Huang about the following points: Latest developments in Malaysia's leadership stalemate (1:10) Is there a possible comeback for Muhyiddin? (5:29) What are the odds of an Anwar era? (9:10) Chances of Mahathir or his son becoming the next Prime Minister (10:45) 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 Leslie Lopez's stories: https://www.straitstimes.com/authors/leslie-lopez 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.

Aug 18, 2021 • 11min
S1E10: Possible terror threats after US exit from Afghanistan: Washington Report Ep 10
Washington Report Ep 10: Possible terror threats after US exit from Afghanistan 11:05 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in the United States. Steve Okun, senior adviser at McLarty Associates, stands in for The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh who is on leave. He chats with Money FM 89.3's Adrian Abraham and Ryan Huang about the following points: How former President Trump's deal left the insurgence in strong military position (5:17) The global response to the American evacuation (6:30) New terror threat advisory ahead of the anniversary of Sept 11 terror attacks (8:08) Possible connection between the terror threats and America's exit from Afghanistan (9:39) 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 Asian Insider Videos: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnK3VE4BKduMSOntUoS6ALNp21jMmgfBX --- 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.