Straight Talk Southeast Asia

Episodet

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  EP148: 301-Tariffs and Southeast Asia with Dr. Deborah Elms 16.08.2026 27min

  This episode looks at the late July decision to impose Section 301 tariffs on Southeast Asian countries with Dr. Deborah Elms.Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/
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  EP147: Electoral Turning Points in Malaysia with Dr. Bridget Welsh 08.08.2026 25min

  This episode looks at broader electoral changes taking place in Malaysian politics after three state elections in which the governing coalition leading the Anwar Ibrahim Madani government has lost ground.Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/
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  EP146: Türkiye and ASEAN with Mehmet Enes Beşer 28.07.2026 27min

  This episode looks at Türkiye’s relationship with ASEAN with Mehmet Enes Beşer, focusing on defense, economic and political ties as well as Türkiye’s interests in the region. Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/
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  EP145: Brunei’s Challenges with Dr. Kerstin Steiner 21.07.2026 28min

  This episode looks at challenges facing Brunei with Dr. Kerstein Steiner examining the dynamics of generational change, succession, her political economy and geopolitical shifts. Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/
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  EP144: Myanmar’s Junta Normalisation with Professor Thitinan Pongsudhirak 14.07.2026 30min

  This episode looks at Myanmar’s President Min Aung Hlaing’s attempt to normalize his government in the region, especially in ASEAN with Professor Thitinan Pongsudhirak.Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/
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  EP143: Youth Social Media Ban Southeast Asia with Dr. Nuurrianti Jalli 09.07.2026 23min

  This episode examines the social media ban policy for children under 16 and focuses in on this policy in Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia and Indonesia, with Dr. Nuurrianti Jalli.Stay informed on our website:https://straighttalkseasia.com/
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  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/
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  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/
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  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/
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  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/
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  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/
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  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/
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  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/
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  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/
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  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/
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  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/
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  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/
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  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/
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  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/
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  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/