The Asia Chessboard

This week Mike is joined by Elina Noor, Senior Fellow for the Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. They discuss Malaysia’s approach to geopolitics and outlook for the future.

Robert D. Blackwill, a senior fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations, and Richard Fontaine, CEO of the Center for a New American Security, dive deep into America's strategic pivot to Asia. They discuss their new book, 'Lost Decade', addressing the complexities of U.S. foreign policy amid China's rise. The duo explores Xi Jinping's leadership misinterpretations, the challenges of the pivot during the Obama administration, and the critical need for a cohesive U.S. strategy in navigating the changing power dynamics in Asia.

This week Mike and Jude are joined by join Lt. General Stephen Sklenka, USMC, Deputy Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. They discuss deterrence and the current state of play in the Indo-Pacific region.

Benedetta Berti from NATO discusses NATO's perspectives on the Indo-Pacific, transitioning from academia to policy-making, strategic competition among authoritarian countries, geopolitical alignment, the upcoming NATO Summit, and strengthening defense collaboration.

Financial Times correspondent Kathrin Hille joins to discuss Taiwan under President Lai, US relations, and Beijing's response. Topics include political turmoil in the Legislative Yuan, Taiwan's foreign policy strategy, defense dynamics, and divergent leadership approaches in Taiwanese politics.

Professor Andrew Oros discusses demographic shifts in Asia and their impact on security in the region. Topics include aging populations, low birth rates, and the significance of demographics on national power. The conversation also delves into Japan's efforts to increase women representation in the military and China's approach to addressing demographic challenges affecting its military capabilities.

Amb. Julie Chung, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, discusses Sri Lanka's strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific, challenges in managing relationships amidst great power competition, rumors of a Chinese military base, and the importance of reconciliation and democratic values for the country's future success.

Richard Bush, a former chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan, discusses Taiwan's recent elections and the implications for democracy and human rights. The podcast delves into Taiwan's leadership transition, Beijing's strategy, US support for Taiwan, and the need for diverse voices in understanding Taiwan's politics.

Mike and Jude are joined by Demetri Sevastopulo, US-China Correspondent at the Financial Times. Demetri discusses covering China as a member of the news media and of what it takes to break news on China in a competitive market. Jude, Mike, and Demetri then exchange views on US-China relations today, including recent bilateral diplomacy and evolving cross-Strait dynamics. Next, they turn to debate on the US-China relationship in Washington, exploring the nature and bounds of bipartisan “consensus” on China. They conclude by discussing how nations around the world are viewing the US election. 

Experts discuss the historical and contemporary factors driving the US-India relationship, including shared concerns over China. They delve into covert operations between the two nations and examine issues surrounding democratic values and minority rights in India. The conversation also touches on India's diplomatic positioning and its impact on relations with the US.