Straight Talk Southeast Asia

Epizodes

• EP142: Maritime Conflict Decision Making with Dr Natalie Sambhi and Dr Bich Tran 30.06.2026 27min

  This episode looks at the agency and policy approaches of Southeast Asian countries over maritime defence issues in Southeast Asia with Dr Natalie Sambhi and Dr Bich Tran, drawing from a report by Verve Research. Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/
• EP141: Indonesia Not in Crisis Yet with Economist Dr. James Guild 24.06.2026 24min

  This episode with economist Dr. James Guild examines Indonesia’s political economy at a time when her currency is facing unprecedented pressures and President Prabowo Subianto is undergoing economic changes. Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/
• EP140: A Look at Philippine Elite Politics with Professor Ronald Holmes 20.06.2026 24min

  This episode looks at recent developments in Philippine politics, from leadership changes in the Senate, impeachment trials, extraditions and management of disasters, and digs through the headlines in order to understand broader ongoing shifts.Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/
• EP139: Toboso Killings, Philippines Political Violence with Patrick Peralta 16.06.2026 26min

  This episode discusses political violence in the Philippines through a lens focus on the recent Toboso killings with scholar Patrick Peralta. Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/
• EP138: Shangri-La 2026 - Defence Diplomacy Challenges with Dr. Evan Laksamana 08.06.2026 28min

  This episode reflects on the 2026 IISS Shangri-La Dialogue defence diplomacy dialogue held in Singapore last month with its key organizer Dr. Evan Laksamana and shares insights from their new annual report on Asia Security.Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/
• EP137: Japan Steps Up for Southeast Asia with Associate Professor Kei Koga 04.06.2026 28min

  At a time of increasing global crisis and greater uncertainty, this episode looks Japan’s deepening relations with Associate Professor Kei Koga and showcases how middle powers are strengthening ties with Southeast Asia. Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/
• EP136: Food Security in Southeast Asia amidst the Iran War with Dr Jose Ma. Luis P. Montesclaros 15.05.2026 26min

  This episode looks at food security in the context of the changing weather conditions and the Iran war with RSIS’s Dr Jose Ma. Luis P. Montesclaros, highlighting variation in risks across the region and potential policy responses. Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/
• EP135: Papua Protests with Dr. Hipo Wangge 06.05.2026 22min

  This episode looks at recent developments in Papua with Dr. Hipo Wangge.Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/
• EP134: Russia and Southeast Asia with Dr. Ian Storey 30.04.2026 32min

  This episode looks at the relationship between Russia and Southeast Asia with Dr. Ian Storey building on his seminal book Putin’s Russia and Southeast Asia. Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/
• EP133: Thailand’s Military with Dr. Paul Chambers 24.04.2026 24min

  This episode looks at Thailand’s military and its changing political role with Dr. Paul Chambers.Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/
• EP132: ASEAN’s E-Crises – Energy and E-Waste with Peter Cockcroft & Wong Pui Yi 17.04.2026 24min

  This episode looks at two different crisis impacting the region – energy with Peter Cockcroft triggered by the Iran War and the management of E-Waste the product of rising tonnes being trafficking into the region with Basil Action Network’s Wong Pui Yi.  Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/
• EP131: Mekong River Politics with Brian Eyler 09.04.2026 31min

  This episode examines the geopolitical and environmental issues connected to the Mekong River with Stimson Center’s Senior Fellow Brian Eyler. Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/
• EP130: Non-Shifting Myanmar Politics with Lorcan Lovett 03.04.2026 26min

  This episode examines recent developments in Myanmar, from changes in the military to the new federal arrangement announced by the National Unity Government with journalist Lorcan Lovett.  Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/
• EP129: Iran War and Southeast Asia with James Dorsey 26.03.2026 31min

  This episode examines how the war in Iran is impacting geopolitics and economies in Southeast Asia with expert journalist James Dorsey. Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/
• EP128: Labor Rights Trends in Southeast Asia with Benjamin Harkins 20.03.2026 32min

  This episode looks at contemporary labor rights issues in Southeast Asia with ILO’s technical specialist Benjamin Harkins. Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/
• EP127: New Zealand and Southeast Asia with Professor Malcolm McKinnon 14.03.2026 21min

  This episode examines the New Zealand relationship with Southeast Asia with historian Malcolm McKinnon.Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/
• EP126: Critical Minerals and Southeast Asia with Dr. Alvin Camba 06.03.2026 28min

  This episode looks at the geopolitics of critical minerals in Southeast Asia with Dr. Alvin Camba.Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/
• EP125: Indonesia’s Economic Tremors with Siwage Negara 22.02.2026 25min

  This episode analyzes Indonesia's economic tremors with economist Dr Siwage Negara.Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/
• EP124: Thailand’s Election with Ken Lohatepanont 12.02.2026 30min

  This episode looks at Thailand’s 2026 general election with University of Michigan scholar Ken Lohatepanont, examining the victory of Bhumjaitai party, losses by Pheu Thai and People’s Party, changing voting patterns and implications ahead.Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/
• EP123: Myanmar Five Years On 01.02.2026 29min

  This episode looks at Myanmar’s junta’s election and reflects on the five-year anniversary of the 2021 coup. Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/