Episodes
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Prominent international relations scholar, Joseph Nye, passes away. We chat about his contribution to the study of international relations. Catholic Church has a new pope and the first born in the US. Asia's demand for US dollar is waning, what does it mean and what are likely implications? US is upping intelligence gathering on Greenland and Danish government protests this action.
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The general elections of Canada, Australia, and Singapore returned incumbents and shows voters are voting for stability and steady hands at this time of global uncertainty.
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Missing episodes?
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NZ FM gave a speech at the East-West Center in Honolulu titled "Enduring Pacific Partnerships" that talks about the importance of NZ relations with US especially in the context of Pacific partnerships. Trump and Zelensky met just before the funeral mass of Pope Francis where Trump noted that Russia may not be serious about ending the war with Ukraine. Lastly, the caution and warning about foreign influence in the upcoming Singapore general elections.
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The new State of Southeast Asia Survey is out and provides a snapshot of public opinions from SEA about all things that concern the region. Here is a link to the survey: https://www.iseas.edu.sg/centres/asean-studies-centre/state-of-southeast-asia-survey/the-state-of-southeast-asia-2025-survey-report/
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Trump's liberation day announcement and the 'reciprocal' tariffs led to stock market crash and high market volatility. With global stock markets shedding trillions of dollars from its value and the eventual hit on US Treasury bonds as investors dump the bonds and yields on the bonds rise, Trump put a temporary 90-day halt on the tariffs. President Trump and the US blinked as the market taught it a harsh lesson in international economics. So what happened? In this discussion, we chat about the market dynamics and political economy of 'liberation to liquidation' week.
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South Korean constitutional court removes president Yoon for declaring an illegal martial law in early December 2024. New presidential election is set for June 3rd. Trump administration launched the so called 'liberation day' by slapping 'reciprocal' tariffs on its own major trading partners. Markets are reacting with the significant declines of major stock markets.
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Former Philippine president Duterte was arrested on an ICC warrant. What is this about and what are the implications to Philippine politics? The P-8 Poseidon is termed as a 'once in a generation' acquisition for the RNZAF but recent news report that the servicing of the planes cannot be done in New Zealand due to absence of technical capabilities. Why? Lastly, interesting evolution of kit/shirt sponsors of English Premier League teams in the 30 years of the creation of the league.
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Germany plans to spend big in defense spending as US commitment to Europe weakens, India says that benefits of postwar order is exaggerated signalling the end of the international rules-based order as we know it. China is reported to be very critical of the recent port deals by Hutchison. Voice of America is cutting staff and funding while Canada is reassessing whether to still buy the F35s or not.
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The 2025 German Federal election results are out: governing SPD is third, CDU/CSU is tops, the far right AfD came in a strong second. What is the new picture of vote distribution across Germany? What does it mean for coalition and future governance? What does it mean for its foreign policy? Ukraine's president Zelensky went to the Oval Office expecting to discuss and then sign the US-Ukraine mineral deal, instead he got a 'shakedown' by US President Trump and VP Vance all caught on live TV. He was asked to leave the White House not even able to enjoy a meal. What happened? What are the implications and fall out of this very undiplomatic live TV show straight from the White House?
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US and Russia met in Saudi Arabia to discuss ground rules for negotiations to end the Ukraine war although no Ukrainians and Europeans attended. What does it mean? What are the implications? PLA Navy task force is spotted in international waters near Australia and NZ and disrupted commercial air traffic by having live fire exercises. Why? What is the point of Chinese navy presence? And a quick update on the continuing saga of the Cook Island and China agreement.
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Is this now an era of stick power in international relations? An era of my way or the highway? US VP Vance spoke at the Munich Security Conference and lectured (or read the riot act) his European audience. NZ and Cook Islands are having an uncomfortable moment in their relationship when Cook Islands signed an agreement with China without prior alert to NZ.
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US president Donald Trump has been busy since his inauguration one week ago. We chat about his inauguration speech and other things in President Trump's eventful week one on the first week of his 2nd term as US president.
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Biden bows out of politics with his farewell address. Trump claims he has a hand in the Gaza ceasefire. India seems to be acknowledging an assassination plot on a US citizen. Landmines was stored wrongly in IKEA and a Polish general responsible for logistics was fired. After years of National Geographic's Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego program, the defense secretary nominee cannot identify a member of ASEAN.
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Trump threatens to take Greenland from Denmark and does not rule out the use of force. Indonesia has joined BRICS as a full member.
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Elon Musk is on the news about supporting the UK Reform Party and him dabbling into UK politics. Canadian PM Justin Trudeau calling it quits. Lastly, news about China paying off Houthis for safe passage in the Red Sea.
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Studies about democracies in the last eight years or so have focused on democratic recession or backsliding. Yet, there are democracies that do not regress but instead stagnate. We discuss an academic article that suggest that some democracies hit their ceilings and do not progress further because of the legacy of nationalist polarization that persist.
Reference:
Aram Hur and Andrew Yeo. 2024. Democratic Ceilings: The Long Shadow of Nationalist Polarization in East Asia. Comparative Political Studies 57(4): 584-612.
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