The Asia Chessboard

Nobukatsu Kanehara, a professor at Doshisha University and former aide to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, dives into Japan's evolving foreign policy and its implications for the region. He discusses the historical shifts driven by leaders like Abe and the U.S.-Japan alliance. Kanehara critiques unconventional foreign policy ideas, such as an 'Asian NATO,' while analyzing Japan's strategic role amid the Ukraine crisis and potential tensions with Taiwan. His insights highlight Japan's growing significance in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.

Mike hosts Sue-Lin Wong, the Economist’s Southeast Asia correspondent. She was formerly a China correspondent for The Economist and host of The Prince, a multiple award-winning Economist podcast series about Xi Jinping. They discuss Southeast Asia and her new podcast Scam Inc.

In a compelling discussion, Tarun Chhabra, former National Security Council Coordinator for Technology and National Security, shares insights on U.S.-China technology competition. He delves into America's role in shaping global tech policies, particularly around semiconductors and the balancing act between national security and economic interests. Chhabra also highlights the importance of international alliances in countering Chinese tech influence and emphasizes the need for strategic adaptability as technology and geopolitical landscapes evolve.

Michèle Flournoy, Co-Founder of WestExec Advisors and former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, shares her insights into national security and defense strategy. She discusses the ongoing U.S.-China competition in the Indo-Pacific, stressing the role of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and reputational deterrence. Flournoy highlights the need for enhanced military capabilities and strategic dialogues among allies, emphasizing collaboration with Japan and Australia. The conversation touches on agility and unity in responding to geopolitical challenges, including tensions in Sri Lanka.

Bonnie Glaser, Managing Director for the German Marshall Fund’s Indo-Pacific program and co-author of a pivotal book on U.S.-Taiwan relations, discusses the escalating tensions surrounding Taiwan. She highlights the shrinking space for dialogue with China and the evolving rhetoric from leaders like Xi Jinping. Glaser dives into Taiwan's defense strategy amidst dwindling trust in U.S. support and examines how recent global events have shifted transatlantic dynamics regarding Taiwan's security challenges. A thought-provoking analysis of the region’s future!

Nadia Schadlow, former U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy and current Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute, dives into the intricacies of U.S. national security strategies. She discusses the evolving balance of power post-Cold War, particularly in relation to China and Russia, and emphasizes the shift towards 'overmatch' military strategies. The complexities of aligning political narratives with strategic realities are highlighted, along with the importance of adapting alliances in a rapidly changing global landscape.

This week Mike hosts Richard Heydarian, Senior Lecturer at the University of the Philippines Asian Center and author of, among others, Asia’s New Battlefield (2015, Bloomsbury) & The Indo-Pacific: Trump, China & The New Struggle for Global Mastery (2019, Palgrave), to discuss the Philippines' foreign policy, relationships, and strategy in the Indo-Pacific. 

Mike hosts Jina Kim, Dean of Language and Diplomacy Division at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, to discuss South Korea's foreign policy and strategy in the Indo-Pacific.

Reflecting on the complexities of understanding China's political landscape, the discussion delves into the evolving methodologies in Sinology amid Xi Jinping's rise. Analyzing China's global ambitions, they explore the implications of U.S.-China tensions and historical diplomatic missteps. The interaction of China with Russia, North Korea, and Iran highlights potential alliances in a turbulent geopolitical environment. The conversation underscores the critical need for allied nations in the Asia-Pacific to navigate economic security amidst growing assertiveness from Beijing.

This week Mike and Jude are joined by Aaron Connelly, Asia diplomatic editor and senior Asia correspondent at The Economist, where he writes about geopolitics and security across Asia. They discuss his recent Adelphi Series book New Answers to Old Questions: Myanmar Before and After the 2021 Coup D’État.