Episodes
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How will Australia's dramatic election results impact its domestic, regional and global political and economic affairs? In this special episode–originally aired live–hosts Jim Carouso and Ray Powell are joined by special guests Mick McNeill and Michael Rowland for an in-depth discussion on Australia's changing political landscape and the election’s far-reaching implications, including:
A comprehensive breakdown of the Australian Labor Party’s decisive win, and what’s next for a reeling Liberal-National Party coalition as it faces the implications of its dramatic collapse at the polls.An explanation of how Australia’s compulsory voting and preferential (ranked-choice) ballot helps the country avoid extremes.Why reactions to U.S. President Donald Trump played an outsized role in Australia’s political environment.How these political shifts will affect Australia’s international business and trade relationships–especially with the United States–during a time of global uncertainty.How the results will impact the country’s ongoing transition to renewable energy sources and its defense planning.The discussion provides valuable context for understanding Australia's position in the Indo-Pacific region and how recent political developments might influence regional stability and economic cooperation. Our expert guests offer unique perspectives on how businesses and policymakers should navigate this changing environment.
Follow us on X, @IndoPacPodcast; or on LinkedIn or BlueSky at our show title, Why Should We Care About the Indo-Pacific?
Follow Ray Powell on X (@GordianKnotRay) or on LinkedIn.
Follow Jim Carouso on LinkedIn.
Our podcast is produced by Ian Ellis-Jones and IEJ Media (on X @ianellisjones or LinkedIn).
This podcast is sponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific.
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Paul Everingham joins Ray and Jim to explain that liquefied natural gas (LNG) demand in Asia is expected to nearly double by 2050. The initial growth will be driven by North Asia (especially China), with South Asia and Southeast Asia becoming the main growth centers after 2035. This surge is tied to Asia’s rapid economic development, growing energy needs, and the region’s transition from coal.
Asia is projected to account for 50% of global economic growth and a growing share of global emissions. Addressing energy needs and emissions in Asia is crucial for global climate goals and humanitarian progress, as many Asian countries still rely heavily on coal and lack access to clean energy and modern amenities.
Paul describes LNG as more than just a bridge to renewables—it’s vital for economic and national security, and asserts that LNG is cleaner than coal and oil and provides reliable "baseload" and "peaking" power, which renewables like wind and solar currently can’t match due to their intermittency and storage limitations.
The Biden administration’s pause on US LNG export facilities was discussed, with Paul arguing that such moves are more political than scientific. He stresses that immediate transitions from coal to renewables aren’t feasible in Asia due to infrastructure and storage constraints, and that gas is essential for meeting Paris climate commitments.
Despite a slowing economy and population decline, China’s energy demand is rising as it seeks to reduce new coal plant construction and diversify gas imports away from reliance on Russia. China is investing in both renewables and LNG to ensure energy security.
The conversation highlights that global energy demand is rising, not just shifting. Coal use is at record highs, and the US is facing new surges in energy demand due to AI and data centers. Paul advocates for an "all of the above" approach, including nuclear, gas, and renewables, to meet growing needs.
Paul says LNG offers more flexible supply options than pipeline gas, reducing dependency on single suppliers. However, building out LNG infrastructure is capital-intensive and complex. The US, Qatar, and Australia are the dominant LNG exporters, but the US is expected to become the leading supplier by 2040, especially as Asian demand grows.
Qatar is a major player due to its vast gas reserves and strategic, conservative development. Indonesia and Malaysia were early LNG exporters, but their fields are now in decline. The US, with its massive shale gas reserves, is poised to shape global markets, especially as new fields come online.
The vulnerability of LNG supply lines to blockades (e.g., Taiwan) and the strategic importance of the South China Sea’s energy resources were discussed. China’s control over disputed areas impacts the ability of countries like the Philippines and Vietnam to develop their own gas fields.
Follow us on X, @IndoPacPodcast; or on LinkedIn or BlueSky.
Follow Ray Powell on X (@GordianKnotRay) or on LinkedIn.
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This podcast is sponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific.
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Missing episodes?
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In an episode originally released by The German Marshall Fund's China Global Podcast with Bonnie Glaser, managing director of GMF’s Indo-Pacific program, co-host Ray Powell was interviewed about recent developments in the Yellow Sea and China’s broader gray zone tactics in the maritime realm.
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This episode of the China Global podcast discusses evolving disputes between China and South Korea, specifically regarding their unresolved maritime boundary in the Yellow Sea. There is a long history of fishing disputes between the two countries in the Provisional Measures Zone (or PMZ) of the Yellow Sea, which is where their exclusive economic zones overlap. Although China and South Korea have engaged in negotiations over the years, they have yet to come to an agreement on their boundaries in the Yellow Sea.
Taking advantage of the persisting disagreement on delimitation of maritime borders, China has employed gray zone tactics in the Yellow Sea to expand its territorial presence in the region. In the most recent dispute, China installed a new steel structure in the PMZ, causing a maritime standoff between Chinese and Korean coast guards.
To discuss recent developments in the Yellow Sea and China’s broader gray zone tactics in the maritime realm, host Bonnie Glaser is joined by Ray Powell, the Director of SeaLight, a maritime transparency project at Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation. Ray is also the co-host of the Why Should We Care About the Indo-Pacific podcast, and a 35-year veteran of the US Air Force.
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In this compelling episode of "Why Should We Care about the Indo-Pacific," hosts Ray Powell and James Carouso welcome Joe Hockey, former Australian Treasurer and Ambassador to the United States. Hockey, who now heads Bondi Partners, offers unique insights into U.S.-Australia relations during both Trump administrations.
Episode Highlights:
Hockey shares his firsthand experience of "Trumpageddon" during the transition from Obama to Trump's first administration, describing it as a "political tsunami" that hit Washington DC. He contrasts Trump 1.0's disorganization with Trump 2.0's more predictable but aggressive "political blitzkrieg" approach.
The conversation explores recent challenges in the alliance, including new tariffs on Australian steel and aluminum under Trump's second term. Hockey explains how Australia previously secured exemptions during Trump's first term by emphasizing their status as America's closest ally according to Republican voters and highlighting their trade deficit with the U.S.
When discussing concerns about the reliability of the U.S. alliance, Hockey dismisses what he calls "alarmist" views, emphasizing the deep integration between the two nations' military and intelligence communities. He pointedly asks, "What is Plan B?" when considering alternatives to the U.S. alliance, especially in light of recent Chinese naval exercises near Australia.
The discussion also covers Australia's upcoming May 2025 election, defense spending needs, AUKUS submarine acquisition challenges, and the complex relationship with China. Hockey advocates for increasing Australia's defense spending to around 3% of GDP while encouraging more private sector involvement in defense infrastructure.
Hockey concludes by sharing the touching origin story of his "100 Years of Mateship" initiative, which commemorated the centennial of U.S. and Australian troops fighting side by side at the Battle of Hamel in World War I – the beginning of an unbroken alliance that continues to this day.
Don't miss this insightful conversation about one of America's most crucial alliances in an increasingly complex Indo-Pacific region.
Follow us on X, @IndoPacPodcast; or on LinkedIn or BlueSky at our show title, Why Should We Care About the Indo-Pacific?
Follow Ray Powell on X (@GordianKnotRay) or on LinkedIn.
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Our podcast is produced by Ian Ellis-Jones and IEJ Media (on X @ianellisjones or LinkedIn).
This podcast is sponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific.
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Mark Lambert, the recently retired head of the State Department’s China House, joins Jim and Ray to share his insights into the impacts of America’s radical new tariff policy from his extensive diplomatic career in Asia, including postings in China, Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan.
Lambert, having just returned from a trip to Beijing, provides a unique perspective on how Chinese officials and experts are reacting to the escalating trade tensions between the two countries.
His insights include:
- President Xi Jinping's recent diplomatic tour of Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia indicates China's strategic move to contest U.S. influence in countries most affected by the tariffs
- The challenges in U.S.-China negotiations, particularly the disconnect in diplomatic approaches between President Trump's preference for direct leader-to-leader negotiations versus China's more conservative impulses
- Chinese confusion about what specifically the U.S. wants in trade negotiations
- The importance of firmly opposing China’s well-known harmful trade practices (technology theft, subsidized overcapacity) while not decoupling the entire U.S.-China economic relationship
- China's potential retaliatory measures, including restricting rare earth metals exports and reconsidering U.S. Treasury bond holdings
- The strategic value of U.S. alliances in the Indo-Pacific and concerns about how current trade policies might affect these relationships
- The fragility yet resilience of China's economic and political system, including its cultural capacity for "eating bitterness" during difficult times
- Lambert's surprising ease of travel to China as a private citizen, suggesting China's desire to encourage more American visitors despite tensions
Follow us on X, @IndoPacPodcast; or on LinkedIn or BlueSky at our show title, Why Should We Care About the Indo-Pacific?
Follow Ray Powell on X (@GordianKnotRay) or on LinkedIn.
Follow Jim Carouso on LinkedIn.
Our podcast is produced by Ian Ellis-Jones and IEJ Media (on X @ianellisjones or LinkedIn).
This podcast is sponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific.
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Corrected release (original contained the wrong audio file).
In an episode originally released by the China Global South Podcast titled, "South China Sea Update: Will the U.S. Really Defend the Philippines Against China?", co-host Ray Powell was interviewed about his work illuminating China's maritime gray-zone activities with SeaLight, and about the South China Sea security situation more broadly.
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Donald Trump strongly feels that U.S. security alliances in Europe no longer serve Washington’s long-term interest. In his view, the U.S. is being “ripped off” by wealthy countries that can afford to pay for their protection but choose to rely on the United States instead. He also says much the same thing about the U.S. military presence in Japan and South Korea.
Curiously, though, the Philippines is different. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth recently visited Manila and reaffirmed Washigton’s “ironclad” commitment to protect the Southeast Asian country against “China’s aggression.”
Ray Powell, director of the Sealight initiative at Stanford University’s Gordian Knott Center for National Security Innovation and host of the “Why Should We Care About the Indo-Pacific Podcast,” joins Eric and CGSP Southeast Asia Editor Edwin Shri Bimo to discuss why the national security team in Washington remains appears to be more committed to the Philippines than other alliance partners.
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Founder and CEO of APAC Advisors Steve Okun joins Jim and Ray to talk about the suddenly raging trade war between the U.S. and China and what kind of impact it may have on the global trading system.
Steve observes that international investment is largely frozen due to the uncertainty about what the U.S. goals are, which tariffs are temporary versus permanent, and whether the U.S. and China can come to a negotiated settlement.
Steve also explains that while China has certainly exploited its advantage in manufacturing, the U.S. has long enjoyed its own advantage in the services sectors–such as entertainment, finance, health, and tourism. He says these U.S. industries may suffer under a more restrictive trade environment.
The discussion also turns to international organizations and groupings like the World Trade Organization, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and whether they are losing influence in the global system as the big powers go their own way.
Steve then speculates how U.S-China trade talks may proceed - and what cards Donald Trump and Xi Jinping believe they still have to play. Regardless, he expects continued volatility to continue as a new normal moving forward.
Follow Steve Okun on his very popular LinkedIn profile, or at his consultancy, APAC Advisors.
Follow us on X, @IndoPacPodcast; or on LinkedIn or BlueSky at our show title, Why Should We Care About the Indo-Pacific?
Follow Ray Powell on X (@GordianKnotRay) or on LinkedIn.
Follow Jim Carouso on LinkedIn.
Our podcast is produced by Ian Ellis-Jones and IEJ Media (on X @ianellisjones or LinkedIn).
This podcast is sponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific.
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Author and Chatham House Associate Fellow Bill Hayton joins the podcast to explain how Vietnam has embarked on its own campaign to build artificial islands in the South China Sea, a decade after China pursued its own campaign.
While Vietnam’s new artificial island bases will alter the South China Sea balance of power, China’s response has been muted, especially compared to its aggressive opposition to nearly every minor move the Philippines makes.
Bill also discusses Vietnam’s concerns over the large-scale damming of the Mekong River. He explains how the river delta is crucial to Vietnam's agriculture and economy, but that upstream damming in China, Laos and other countries has caused substantial disruption.
Turning to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Bill unpacks why it has been ineffective in addressing external and transnational threats, such as Chinese aggression in the South China Sea and the Mekong River.
Bill also discusses the potential of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs to significantly disrupt Vietnam’s economy, as well as Vietnam’s relations with China under its new leader, To Lam.
Follow Bill Hayton on X, @bill_hayton, and check out his well-regarded books on Vietnam, China, and the South China Sea on his website, billhayton.com.
Follow us on X, @IndoPacPodcast; or on LinkedIn or BlueSky at our show title, Why Should We Care About the Indo-Pacific?
Follow Ray Powell on X (@GordianKnotRay) or on LinkedIn.
Follow Jim Carouso on LinkedIn.
Our podcast is produced by Ian Ellis-Jones and IEJ Media (on X @ianellisjones or LinkedIn).
This podcast is sponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific.
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In our second post-“Liberation Day” episode we are joined by John Goyer, Executive Director for Southeast Asia for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, to discuss the impact of America’s now-suspended tariff increases on Southeast Asian countries and on the U.S.
John observes that American consumers are likely to experience significant price increases if these tariffs go into effect, since the reason U.S. businesses import from Southeast Asia is because it can get goods less expensively than if they are made in the United States. Meanwhile, both stock and bond markets have reacted very dramatically to each new announcement, and some economists are warning that the U.S. could tip into a recession if they go into full effect.
Southeast Asian countries are already navigating a complicated relationship with China, whose economy has been relying on exports. Beijing’s fraught trade relationship with the U.S. has left it with huge surpluses of goods, many of which have been dumped into neighboring countries. China has also been using Southeast Asia as a place to trans-ship goods to avoid U.S. tariffs.
Vietnam, whose tariffs were announced at the rate of 46 percent, actually has fairly low tariffs on U.S. goods, so will need to find other ways to satisfy the Trump Administration. This may include reducing restrictive policies and regulations or purchasing more U.S. goods.
While some Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries have suggested a unified response, ASEAN has not been effective in moving quickly as a bloc. As a result, each country is likely to seek its own deal.
On the question of who the winners might be in a trade war, John observes that it’s not easy to move manufacturing. These are complex, expensive decisions, and companies will be deliberate and measured in their responses.
Learn more about John Goyer at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, or follow him on LinkedIn.
Follow us on X, @IndoPacPodcast; or on LinkedIn or BlueSky at our show title, Why Should We Care About the Indo-Pacific?
Follow Ray Powell on X (@GordianKnotRay) or on LinkedIn.
Follow Jim Carouso on LinkedIn.
Our podcast is produced by IEJ Media, sharing news that matters on statecraft & instruments of national power. Follow IEJ Media on X (@iejmedia), and follow our producer Ian Ellis-Jones on X (@ianellisjones) or on LinkedIn.
This podcast is sponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific.
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Jim and Ray welcome Chris Johnstone, a Japan expert and former CIA, National Security Council, and Pentagon official, to discuss the implications of the recently announced U.S. tariffs on Japan’s economy, politics, trade policies, and alliance with America.
Chris explains Japan's crucial role as a node in America’s Indo-Pacific alliance structure, but also, since the 2017 U.S. withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Japan has been assuming a greater leadership role in the region.
U.S. tariffs will likely significantly impact Japan's GDP growth as well as its ability to finance the U.S.-produced weapons needed to defend itself against a rapidly growing Chinese military threat. Japan, like many other Indo-Pacific countries, will likely seek to strengthen its own domestic industries and diversify its trading relationships to reduce its reliance on the U.S. market and sources for high-end military equipment.
Japan’s government is facing upcoming elections in which it will need to be seen as effective in countering the U.S. tariffs. The government will not want to be seen as weak or submissive to the U.S. in its responses while still protecting its overall relationship with Washington.
Chris examines the pros and cons of various approaches Japan may take in response to reciprocal tariffs, as well as the larger question of how America’s abrupt policy changes and dismissal of previous trade agreements undermines the trust of its most important East Asian ally.
Learn more about Chris Johnstone at the Asia Group or follow him on LinkedIn.
Follow us on X, @IndoPacPodcast, or on LinkedIn or BlueSky under our show title, "Why Should We Care About the Indo-Pacific?"
Follow Ray Powell on X (@GordianKnotRay) or on LinkedIn.
Follow Jim Carouso on LinkedIn.
Our podcast is produced by IEJ Media and Ian Ellis-Jones, follow him on X (@ianellisjones) or LinkedIn.
This podcast is sponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific.
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Two of India’s most respected foreign policy, national security and international relations experts, former Ambassador Alok Prasad and Mr. Vaman Desai, join Jim and Ray to explore the evolving bilateral relationship between the U.S. and India, which is increasingly seen as one of the globe’s defining partnership for the 21st century. They reflect on the recent visit to Washington by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Our guests reflected that even with India bracing for the prospect of Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs–especially given India’s large trade surplus with the U.S.–the two countries agreed to attempt to more than double bilateral trade by 2030 under the “Mission 500” target.
India has emerged as a hub for “global capability centers”, a magnet for foreign countries. India is also benefiting from companies looking for new manufacturing locations as China becomes less competitive, but it will need to overcome a reputation for being a hard place to do business.
Meanwhile, India is expected to increase its imports of American energy and defense articles–both of which would mark shifts from Russian suppliers.
Technological cooperation is another key area of focus, especially in emerging tech such as autonomous systems.
India and China have stabilized their long-running border tensions, but a host of other concerns remain, including over China’s damming of rivers running into northern India.
India’s role in global governance is multifaceted, as New Delhi continues to balance its relationships with international organizations as diverse as BRICS and the Quad.
Learn more about Ambassador Alok Prasad, Mr. Vaman Dasai and the rest of BowerGroupAsia’s India team.
Follow us on X, @IndoPacPodcast; or on LinkedIn or BlueSky at our show title, Why Should We Care About the Indo-Pacific?
Follow Ray Powell on X (@GordianKnotRay) or on LinkedIn.
Follow Jim Carouso on LinkedIn.
Our podcast is produced by IEJ Media, sharing news that matters on statecraft & instruments of national power. Follow IEJ Media on X (@iejmedia), and follow our producer Ian Ellis-Jones on X (@ianellisjones) or on LinkedIn.
This podcast is sponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific.
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Former Singaporean diplomat Bilihari Kausikan joins Jim and Ray to discuss the implications of Donald Trump’s second term and his “America First” policies for Asia.
Bilihari emphasizes that a focus on domestic policy is not unusual for U.S. presidents, and that Asian countries have learned to adapt practically to American policy changes. In fact, he believes that the current administration’s policies are closer to America’s historical norm than many realize.
Ultimately, he believes that American stability is crucial for Asian prosperity, and that Asia needs continued U.S. military presence.
According to Bilihari, Asians have different expectations for the so-called rules-based order than westerners, and tend not to be as sensitive to violations of norms. He says that Trump’s emphasis on hard deterrence and “peace through strength” can be more effective in Asia than appeals to values.
Bilihari notes that Singapore in particular values economic rules over political ones.
The conversation turned to Taiwan, which Bilihari believes has suffered from a sense of entitlement to U.S. support, spending insufficiently on its own defense and lacking strategic focus.
For the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Bilihari explains that its main objective is to manage relations between the member states, and that is where it is most effective. He believes that it must continue to adapt to changing realities to stay relevant.
Finally, Bilihari explains his famous assertion that ASEAN is a cow, not a horse.
Read Bilihari Kausikan’s January 2025 article in Foreign Affairs magazine, “Who’s Afraid of America First?”
Follow us on X, @IndoPacPodcast; or on LinkedIn or BlueSky at our show title, Why Should We Care About the Indo-Pacific?
Follow Ray Powell on X (@GordianKnotRay) or on LinkedIn.
Follow Jim Carouso on LinkedIn.
Our podcast is produced by IEJ Media, sharing news that matters on statecraft & instruments of national power. Follow IEJ Media on X (@iejmedia), and follow our producer Ian Ellis-Jones on X (@ianellisjones) or on LinkedIn.
This podcast is sponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific.
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Why Should We (and especially Taiwan) Care About China’s New “Invasion Barges”?
Defense expert Tom Shugart joins Ray and Jim to explain China’s so-called “invasion barges”, which have recently gained wide attention exercising along China’s coast. Tom explains how these barges are a significant leap forward for China’s ability to carry out a Taiwan invasion.
Tom explains how these barges would be used in an amphibious landing along Taiwan’s famously inaccessible coastline, and how their design opens up options for China to overcome this obstacle.
These barges highlight the need for Taiwan to bolster its defenses along its western coast and into the Taiwan Strait itself. This should also serve as a wake-up call to the United States, as its assumptions about China’s military capabilities are rapidly growing obsolete.
Tom also talks about his recent work highlighting the need for U.S. air base hardening against attack in the Indo-Pacific, as its large bases are now highly vulnerable to China’s growing arsenal of stand-off weapons.
A former submarine warfare officer, Tom also discusses the challenges faced by the U.S. shipbuilding industry to ensure its ability to meet America’s own needs, as well as those for its ally Australia under the AUKUS agreement.
Tom asserts that its new barges are further evidence that China can no longer be considered merely an imitator of America, but is now innovating in ways that are pushing its capabilities strongly forward.
As the geopolitical consequences of a Chinese conquest of Taiwan would be profound for US alliances, rapid investment in defense infrastructure is critical for both the US and Taiwan.
Follow Tom Shugart on X, @tshugart3.
Follow us on X, @IndoPacPodcast; or on LinkedIn or BlueSky at our show title, Why Should We Care About the Indo-Pacific?
Follow Ray Powell on X (@GordianKnotRay) or on LinkedIn.
Follow Jim Carouso on LinkedIn.
Our podcast is produced by IEJ Media, sharing news that matters on statecraft & instruments of national power. Follow IEJ Media on X (@iejmedia), and follow our producer Ian Ellis-Jones on X (@ianellisjones) or on LinkedIn.
This podcast is sponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific.
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Ray and Jim welcome Dr. Sal Mercogliano, maritime historian and host of the popular YouTube channel What’s Going on with Shipping?, to talk about how “dark fleets”--or what he calls "parallel fleets"--challenge maritime law and Indo-Pacific security by evading international shipping regulations and sanctions against malign actors.
Sal talks about how Russia is the country most associated with dark fleets, because sanctions have prompted the country to create a parallel fleet using third-country “flags of convenience”. Many of these countries are magnets for bad actors because they have very lax standards and regulations for registration.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO), which is supposed to oversee shipping worldwide, has struggled to enforce and regulate activities at sea, which remains a lawless space.
One particularly thorny issue is illegal ship-to-ship transfers. Besides enabling sanctions evasion, these transfers also pose environmental risks as they frequently result in spills.
Sal also talks about the state of the U.S. shipping industry, both of which are alarmingly small. This presents a national security vulnerability for a great power with global interests, especially as China dominates global shipping and owns over 20 percent of the world’s ships. He argues for bipartisan legislation to reform America’s merchant marine.
Our podcast is produced by IEJ Media, sharing news that matters on statecraft & instruments of national power.
Sponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific.
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Jim and Ray welcome broadcast journalist and news anchor Regina Lay to discuss the dramatic feud between the Marcos and Duterte political dynasties in the Philippines.
Just three years ago these families were united behind a “Uniteam” ticket which secured an overwhelming electoral victory, but today Vice President Sara Duterte stands impeached and former President Rodrigo Duterte has been handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for prosecution for crimes against humanity.
Reggie helps untangle the political and legal elements of these cases, including how the Rodrigo Duterte prosecution holds implications for not only the Philippines but also for the ICC as a landmark test of its legitimacy.
She also unpacks the impeachment case against Sara Duterte, which began with an investigation into her financial dealings but has since blossomed into allegations of plotting to assassinate President Marcos.
The conversation then turns to the conflicting narratives which have fractured along regional and class lines, and also across dueling social media platforms. They discuss how the results of the May 2025 mid-term elections may be impacted by these events, and how the elections will in turn affect how Sara Duterte’s senate trial proceeds.
Finally, they compare these events to the political turmoil in the United States, and consider what opportunities Beijing may seek to exploit amidst their democratic rivals' chaos.
Follow Regina Lay on One News PH, where she co-hosts the afternoon Storycon show.
Our podcast is produced by IEJ Media, sharing news that matters on statecraft & instruments of national power.
Sponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific.
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Jim and Ray welcome BowerGroupAsia CEO Ernie Bower to discuss how U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs will affect regional trade dynamics.
Ernie explains Trump often uses tariffs and tariff threats to achieve both trade and non-economic objectives, this also creates significant uncertainty for American companies which must quickly adjust their strategies.
He explains how investment in the U.S. had already been increasing due to incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act, but that countries are now looking for more ways to protect their own markets from U.S. tariffs.
Ernie asserts that the geopolitical landscape is shifting toward “South-South” cooperation among the countries of Asia and Africa, and that companies are increasingly making manufacturing and investment decisions because of these geopolitical and geo-economic changes. He says that the technology and energy sectors have been leading the transition into new markets.
Our podcast is produced by IEJ Media, sharing news that matters on statecraft & instruments of national power.
Sponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific.
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Jim and Ray welcome Taiwan Member of Parliament Wang Ting-Yu to discuss the “gray zone” warfare being prosecuted daily by China against his country, highlighted by the recent spate of subsea power and communications cables that link Taiwan’s main island to its outer islands and the world.
Mr. Wang emphasizes that Taiwan’s government remains under constant threat of subversion, coercion, espionage and war from Beijing, and that its intimidation campaign affects Taiwan’s security as well as the daily lives of its citizens.
He underlines Taiwan’s continued need for international support to build its resilience and its deterrence through military modernization. At the same time, Taiwan needs to maintain the integrity of its democratic, free-market system against Beijing's predations.
Wang emphasizes Taiwan's strategic value to the U.S. and its allies while noting its need to accelerate ongoing military modernization efforts.
Our podcast is produced by IEJ Media, sharing news that matters on statecraft & instruments of national power.
Sponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific.
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Why Should We Care About Airpower in the Indo-Pacific?
Jim and Ray welcome General Kevin Schneider, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), to explain why airpower matters for deterring and defeating aggression in a massive region largely dominated by oceans.
General Schneider explains what lessons PACAF has learned from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and how concepts like “agile combat employment” and “adaptive basing” are crucial to making sure air forces are not easily targeted by China’s large and growing arsenal of precision strike weapons.
He also discusses how the U.S. Air Force’s 2025 Resolute Force Pacific (REFORPAC) exercise will take place during the biennial U.S.-Australia Talisman Sabre exercise to demonstrate the capability to concentrate airpower in the region
The general digs into what China’s rollout of “sixth generation” fighter aircraft prototypes means for the future of American air superiority in the Indo-Pacific.
General Schneider explains the importance of allies and partners to deterring aggressors, and specifically recounts his recent experience delivering U.S. T-6C training aircraft to Vietnam.
Our podcast is produced by IEJ Media, sharing news that matters on statecraft & instruments of national power.
Sponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific.
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Jim and Ray welcome U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney, who represents Connecticut’s 2nd District, home to the General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard in Groton.
Rep. Courtney addresses concerns raised by some of our previous guests–most notably former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull–about whether U.S. Virginia-class submarine construction can support Australia’s requirements under the Australia-U.K.-U.S. (AUKUS) agreement.
Representative Courtney emphasizes that even in America’s polarized political climate, AUKUS retains bipartisan support, and that keeping up with its nuclear-powered submarine production goals is essential for both U.S. and Australian national security.
Even so, supply chain and workforce development challenges continue to threaten the program, and America’s defense industrial base will need even more attention to make sure the U.S. and its allies can keep pace with the rapidly growing military threat posed by China.
Our podcast is produced by IEJ Media, sharing news that matters on statecraft & instruments of national power.
Sponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific.
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Ray and Jim welcome Sue-Lin Wong, investigative journalist from The Economist, to talk about her new podcast series, “Scam, Inc.”
Sue-Lin explains the vast multi-billion criminal network behind the mysterious e-mails, text messages and social media offers that we see every day. She takes us on a harrowing journey from huge scam compounds in Southeast Asia populated by ruthless criminal groups and illegally trafficked people working under often horrific conditions.
From Asia she returns to the United States, where she explains how ordinary people are targeted and ensnared into “investing” their money into these elaborate schemes through a process called “pig-butchering”.
She walks us through the psychological tactics used by scammers; the role of technology and cryptocurrency; the heartbreaking impact of human trafficking in scam compounds; and how Singapore has mobilized a whole-of-society response. She explains how otherwise rational people can be victimized by the scammers’ increasing sophistication and resources.
This crucial conversation highlights the need for awareness at the individual, national and global levels.
Follow Sue-Lin on X at @suelinwong.
Our podcast is produced by IEJ Media, sharing news that matters on statecraft & instruments of national power.
Sponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific.
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