Dialogues at Fulcrum

Fulcrum editor Lee Hwok Aun and Malaysia Studies Programme Coordinator Francis Hutchinson speak with Liew Chin Tong, Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry. Their conversation spans Malaysia’s challenges in engineering a second industrial take-off, implementing reforms, and navigating global uncertainties.1:18 – Malaysia and Singapore at this historical juncture3:31 – Scepticism and optimism in politics; Malaysia’s second take-off9:28 – Malaysia’s potential second take-off compared to the first (late 1980s-1997)13:28 – Maintaining neutrality and multilateralism in the current global milieu22:22 – Rafizi Ramli’s resignation as Minister of Economy23:43 – Policies in the second half of the Madani government’s five-year term29:20 – Reformasi generation perspective on the state of reforms36:15 – Top priority institutional reform41:41 – Relations within the Unity Government coalition46:33 – Perikatan Nasional’s cohesion and electoral competitiveness50:57 – When will state elections and 16th General Election happen?Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

Fulcrum editor William Choong talks to Niclas Kvarnström, Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service (EEAS), about the European Union’s evolving approaches to the Indo-Pacific.1:28 – Niclas Kvarnström’s role as the MD for Asia and the Pacific in the EEAS4:27 – Niclas Kvarnström’s assessment of French President Emmanuel Macron’s keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue7:35 – Views on trade negotiations between the EU and ASEAN member states, and the EU’s place in larger regional trading blocs in the Pacific12:30 – The dichotomous results of the State of Southeast Asia Survey 2025, showing that the EU is Southeast Asia’s second-most-trusted partner, yet ranks low in strategic relevance21:19 – On whether European security forces can continue to participate in the Indo-Pacific given pressing priorities closer to home24:44 – On US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth’s call for US allies in Asia to spend 5 per cent of their GDP on defence27:30 – What can the EU do to manage hotspots in the Indo-PacificDialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

Fulcrum editor Lee Hwok Aun converses with Minister Nik Nazmi about the urgent challenges of sustainability and climate change from Malaysian and ASEAN perspectives.2:28 –  Why write this book?6:26 –  An integrated approach to complex problems10:25 –  Malaysia’s development model – retrospective self-criticism and new framework14:53 –  From activism to government18:25 –  What needs to happen before Malaysia’s next general election22:07 –  Malaysia’s targeted carbon tax plans23:43 –  Malaysia’s response to the US withdrawal from global climate action26:28 –  ASEAN power grid30:07 –  Communicating the message effectivelyDialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. 

Fulcrum editor William Choong discusses Australia’s strategic choices amid intensifying Sino-US rivalry and increased geopolitical flux with Prof Nick Bisley.3:08 –  Australia’s “extreme strategic loneliness” under Trump 2.012:50 –  AUKUS submarines: will Australia get them?21:30 –  Is there a method in Trump’s “madness”?28:00 –  Has Trump 2.0 given China a window of opportunity?37:10 –  How can Southeast Asian countries cope in such a changed environment?41:30 –  Wherefore the Quad if the US withdraws from it?Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

Fulcrum editor Julia Lau speaks to Ambassador Alex Tilman about Timor-Leste's imminent accession to ASEAN and its implications. They delve into aspects of Timor-Leste's identity as a Lusophone, small island, and majority Catholic nation-state.1:40 –  Introducing Ambassador Alex Tilman3:17 –  How the global uptick in tensions affects Timor-Leste and ASEAN5:35 –  How Timor-Leste hopes to diversify its economy10:50 –  Timor-Leste’s identity and priorities as a Lusophone and small island nation-state14:27 –  How Timor-Leste’s being majority Catholic affects its identity and foreign policy16:55 –  The NGO, Maluk Timor18:30 –  What can travellers to Timor-Leste expect?21:05 –  Ambassador Tilman’s journey to diplomacyDialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

Fulcrum editor Julia Lau discusses the complex issue of Cambodia-Vietnam relations in light of their new leadership. One issue examined is Cambodia's recent withdrawal from the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area and what it means for the region. 2:07 – Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLVDTA) 9:26 – “Losers all around?” Vietnam’s view on Cambodia’s withdrawal from CLVDTA 13:30 – The role of individual leaders in geopolitics: new leaders in Vietnam and Cambodia testing their powers? 25:00 – Short-term prognosis for bilateral relations 37:12 – How to build trust and longer-term bilateral outlook 41:04 – Dealing with US and China: Hedging, Balancing, or …? 44:20 – The South China Sea dispute 45:54 – Cambodia’s reaction to the first Trump win in the US presidential election (PE) 2016 versus PE2024 49:53 – Cambodia’s agency 55:00 – How small nation-states can stabilise ties and enhance multilateral cooperation Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

Fulcrum editor Julia Lau discusses the latest dramatic political events and the new government in Thailand with Acting Coordinator of ISEAS' Thailand Studies Programme, Dr Napon Jatusripitak. 1:11 –  How did the Srettha Thavisin administration come to an end? 4:28 –  Judicial overreach in Srettha's dismissal 9:50 –  The weaknesses of democratic institutions 12:45 –  Dissolution of Move Forward Party and its implications 19:55 –  Paetongtarn Shinawatra's rise to premiership 26:16 –  Prospects for Paetongtarn's administration and Pheu Thai 29:43 –  Putting Thailand back in international politics? 31:30 –  "Digital Wallet" scheme 36:30 –  The new Cabinet 40:52 –  Family ties in the Cabinet 50:45 –  Dr Jatusripitak's research journey Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

William Choong, Fulcrum’s Managing Editor and ISEAS Senior Fellow, discusses the recent leadership changes in Vietnam with Dr Nguyen Khac Giang, a visiting fellow at ISEAS’ Vietnam Studies Programme (VSP), and Dr Le Hong Hiep, the coordinator of the VSP. 1:39 – Drivers of Vietnam’s leadership changes 3:55 – Vietnam’s political future under General Secretary To Lam 10:28 – The durability of Vietnam’s anti-corruption drive 14:42 – Perceptions of To Lam’s public security background 18:50 – Changes in Vietnam’s economic direction 24:50 – The future of Vietnam’s “bamboo diplomacy” 28:20 – Vietnam’s future relations with Russia 30:25 – The future of the Vietnam-US relationship Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

William Choong, Fulcrum's Managing Editor and ISEAS Senior Fellow, discusses the recent Japan-Philippines reciprocal access agreement with Dr Aries Arugay, the coordinator of the institute’s Philippine Studies Programme, and Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science, at the University of the Philippines-Diliman. 1:30 – An overview of ISEAS’ Philippine Studies Programme⁠ 7:12 – The significance of the Japan-Philippines reciprocal access agreement (RAA) 14:10 – How the RAA will help in Manila’s contest of wills with Beijing 22:51 – Will recent China-Philippines bilateral consultation mechanisms soothe tensions? 31:25 – Will the conclusion of Conduct of Conduct negotiations on the South China Sea resolve the tensions there? 37:53 – How bigger trends such as Sino-US rivalry and a new US administration come 2025 affect Manila’s position Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

William Choong, Fulcrum's Managing Editor, and Irene Ng, an author and ISEAS writer-in-residence, dive into the life of S. Rajaratnam through his authorized biography. They explore the inspiring themes that emerged during the writing process, including the challenges of portraying a historical figure's life. The discussion also navigates Singapore's diplomatic journey, highlighting Rajaratnam's strategies in dealing with ASEAN and superpowers like China and the U.S. Ultimately, they emphasize his quest for ideals and the lessons young Singaporeans can learn from his legacy.