The Tea Leaves Podcast

In this episode of Tea Leaves, Rexon and Mira sit down with Kelly Magsamen, former Chief of Staff to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and newly appointed Senior Advisor at The Asia Group, to introduce the Indo-Pacific Defense Incubator (IPDI). Drawing on her decades of experience in the Pentagon, NSC, and State Department, Kelly unpacks the evolving landscape of defense innovation, industrial cooperation, and allied technology partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. The three discuss how the U.S. and its allies can scale next-generation defense capabilities, the role of private capital and disruptor firms, and the strategic challenges posed by China's rapid advances. Kelly also offers insights on what defense industry leaders and companies should watch as the Trump administration recalibrates its Indo-Pacific security priorities.

In this episode of Tea Leaves, TAG Chairman Dr. Kurt Campbell joins the show to discuss his recent Foreign Affairs article, “Underestimating China,” and outlines why the United States must shift its strategic approach to remain competitive. In his conversation with Rexon Ryu, Dr. Mira Rapp-Hooper, and Tiffany Ma, Dr. Campbell discusses his argument that unless the United States moves toward “capacity-centric statecraft” and allied scale, the U.S. risks falling behind China in key domains relating to military capabilities, technology, and operational elements. He explores the flaws in assessments of Chinese power, need for a protected allied market, and the need for two-way industrial cooperation. 

In this episode of Tea Leaves, Rexon Ryu and Tiffany Ma are joined by Dr. Mira Rapp-Hooper, head of The Asia Group's Geopolitics Practice, and Dr. Evan Medeiros to assess where things stand nearly two weeks after April 2's “Liberation Day” tariff announcement. They unpack the escalation from sector-specific tariffs to looming reciprocal measures and examine the U.S.-China trade standoff. Dr. Medeiros leads a discussion on why this round of the trade war marks a more entrenched phase of an economic standoff, China's confident posture and retaliation strategy, and what it all means for businesses navigating the fallout. The team also explores the structure of ongoing negotiations and how trade talks are increasingly intertwined with broader strategic issues.

In this episode of the Tea Leaves Podcast, Rexon Ryu and Tiffany Ma are joined by Ambassador Kurt Tong to explore the Indo-Pacific's response to the re-election of Donald Trump. Ambassador Tong provides valuable insights into how regional leaders and businesses are bracing for potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy. Tune in for a deep dive into the evolving dynamics shaping Asia's future in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.

In this episode of Tea Leaves, TAG President Rexon Ryu and Dr. Evan Medeiros explore the expanding scope of US-China and EU-China competition in the spheres of security, economics, technology, and governance. They discuss recent bilateral meetings, emerging tariff policies, China's military assistance to Russia, and the importance of dialogue to prevent miscalculation. Tune in for expert insights on navigating two of the most consequential bilateral relationships today.

Sharon Burke is the Founder and President of Ecospherics, an environmental research and advisory firm based in Washington, D.C. She most recently served as the lead on climate change, energy, and environment for the Biden-Harris Transition Team. She previously served as the first Assistant Secretary of Defense for Operational Energy at the Department of Defense (DoD), where she oversaw the energy security of U.S. military operations. Before her time at DoD, she worked as a Senior Fellow and Vice President at the Center for a New American Security, where she initiated a program called “Natural Security” to examine the intersection of natural resources and national security. She has also worked at the State Department, Amnesty International, and the New America think tank. Sharon holds a bachelor's degree from Williams College and a master's degree in international affairs with a focus on energy policy from Columbia University.

Jennifer Welch is the Chief Geoeconomics Analyst at Bloomberg. She most recently served as Director for China and Taiwan on the U.S. National Security Council and as Special Advisor for Asia and the Pacific in the offices of Vice President Kamala Harris and former Vice President Mike Pence. Previously, she was Fulbright fellow in Xi'an, China, where she worked with local scholars and nutritionists to design a health education program. She holds a bachelor's degree in international relations and East Asian studies from Bucknell University.

Debbie Yong is a Senior Strategist focusing on the Asia-Pacific region at WGSN, a consumer-trend forecasting company. She previously worked as the Editorial Director of the Michelin Guide in Asia and the Middle East, a China media analyst for BBC Monitoring, and a reporter for the Straits Times and the Business Times in Singapore. In 2019, Netflix featured her as a Singaporean food expert on “Street Food: Asia. She holds a dual master's degree in global media and communications from the London School of Economics and Fudan University in China, as well as a bachelor's degree in English Literature from the University of Pennsylvania.

The Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO is Partner and Chair of The Asia Group's Australia Practice. He most recently served as Australia's Ambassador to the United States, where he was closely involved in negotiations related to AUKUS, the Quad, and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. Amb. Sinodinos previously served as Australia's Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science and as Senator for New South Wales in the Australian Parliament from 2011 to 2019. He also served as Cabinet Secretary and Assistant Treasurer, as well as Chief of Staff and Senior Economic Adviser to Prime Minister Hon. John Howard AC.

Phil Davidson is a retired four-star admiral in the U.S. Navy who last served as the 25th Commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM). He served in the Navy for almost 40 years until his retirement in 2021. Before becoming the Commander of INDOPACOM, he was the commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command/Naval Forces U.S. Northern Command. He previously served as commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet, and the commander of the Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, while simultaneously serving as the deputy commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa. His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat “V,” a Superior Honor Award from the U.S. Department of State, and numerous other awards. He holds a Master of Arts degree in national security and a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from the United States Naval War College.

Mitsuru Claire Chino is the Managing Executive Officer of ITOCHU Corporation, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. She was previously president and CEO of ITOCHU International, the company's New York-based North America-focused subsidiary. In 2013, she became the first female executive officer of any major trading company in Japan. Before joining ITOCHU, she practiced as a lawyer at an international law firm in the United States and in Hong Kong at Graham & James. Asia Legal Business recognized her as a "Top 25 In-House Counsel in Asia," and the Financial Times named her the "Asia Pacific's Innovative Lawyer" and included her on the "FT Global General Counsel 30" list of the world's top in-house lawyers. She has also been a Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum and a Yale University Maurice R. Greenberg World Fellow. She is a classically trained singer and has given solo performances at venues like the Weill Carnegie Hall and the Suntory Hall.

Anand Shah is a Partner at The Asia Group, which he joined in 2022 as part of the firm's acquisition of Dhamiri, a venture that he founded to help corporations align their core businesses with public good in critical international markets. He previously led the development of strategic initiatives as Senior Vice President of Indian ride-hailing giant Ola and has also worked at the Albright Stonebridge Group, BMW AG, and Audi AG. He spent 15 years living in India, where he founded Sarvajal, a technology and market-based provider of clean water to rural villages and urban settlements, and helped establish Ahmedabad University. He was also the Founding CEO of the Piramal Foundation, a Co-Founder of Teach for India, and the Founder of Indicorps, a pioneering public service program.

Chatpong "Chat" Chuenrudeemol is the Principal and Founder of CHAT Architects, a Bangkok-based research and design practice, as well as CHAT Lab, a think tank that aims to discover new Thai vernacular typologies. In 2020, Chat received the Silpathorn award from Thailand's Ministry of Culture – the country's most prestigious award for contemporary artists. His architectural works have won Architectural Review's AR House Awards, the Architecture Masterprize in 2021, and a Building of the Year Award in the Asia-Pacific region. He was previously a Partner at Bangkok Architectural Research and an Architect at the Boston-based NADAAA. Chat has taught architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the National University of Singapore, Taylor University, and Chulalongkorn University. He holds a bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master's degree from Harvard University's Graduate School of Design.

Kathy Matsui is a General Partner of MPower Partners, Japan's first ESG-focused global venture capital fund. She is also an external board director at Fast Retailing, at adjunct professor at Kyoto University Graduate School of Management, and an advisory board member at the University of Tokyo. She was previously vice chair and chief Japan strategist at Goldman Sachs. She is the author of How to Nurture Female Employees, published in Japanese in 2020. Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe credited Matsui with coining the term “womenomics” – which she first wrote about in 1999 – and incorporated her research into his economic reforms. MPower's blog can be found at https://www.mpower-partners.com/blog-en/

Anand Shah is a Partner at The Asia Group, which he joined in 2022 as part of the firm's acquisition of Dhamiri, a venture that he founded to help corporations align their core businesses with public good in critical international markets. He previously led the development of strategic initiatives as Senior Vice President of Indian ride-hailing giant Ola. He has also worked at the Albright Stonebridge Group, BMW AG, and Audi AG. He spent 15 years living in India, where he founded Sarvajal, a technology and market-based provider of clean water to rural villages and urban settlements, and helped establish Ahmedabad University. He was also the Founding CEO of the Piramal Foundation, a Co-Founder of Teach for India, and the Founder of Indicorps, a pioneering public service program.

Chris Johnstone is a senior advisor at The Asia Group and Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Prior to joining CSIS, he served in government for 25 years in a variety of senior positions with a focus on U.S. policy toward Japan and the Indo-Pacific region. He served twice on the National Security Council, as director for East Asia under President Joe Biden and director for Japan and Oceanian affairs under President Barack Obama. In the Office of the Secretary of Defense, he led offices with responsibility for South and Southeast Asia and East Asia. He began his career as an intelligence officer in the Central Intelligence Agency.

The Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO is Partner and Chair of The Asia Group's Australia Practice. He most recently served as Australian Ambassador to the United States, where he was closely involved in Australia's negotiations related to AUKUS, the Quad, and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. Ambassador Sinodinos previously worked as Australia's Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science and was a Senator for New South Wales in the Australian Parliament from 2011 to 2019. He also served as Cabinet Secretary and Assistant Treasurer, as well as Chief of Staff and Senior Economic Adviser to Prime Minister Hon. John Howard AC.

Valerie Rozman recently joined The Asia Group as Director of Research and Analytics and as a Principal, co-leading the Southeast Asia practice. She served in the U.S. government for nearly two decades, primarily in the intelligence community. She was inducted into the CIA's Senior Analytic Service and served in a number of senior Asia-focused positions, including as Deputy National Intelligence Manager at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and Deputy National Intelligence Officer for East Asia at ODNI. She has briefed numerous senior U.S. and foreign officials, including the U.S. President and U.S. and foreign Cabinet-level officials, on East Asia issues.

Wendy Cutler is Vice President at the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) and the managing director of the Washington, D.C. office. She joined ASPI after nearly three decades as a diplomat and negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), where she served as Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative. During her USTR career, she worked on a range of bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations and initiatives, including the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), U.S.-China negotiations, and the WTO Financial Services negotiations.

Charles Dunst is the deputy director of research and analytics at The Asia Group and an adjunct fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. A former foreign correspondent, he has reported from countries including Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Israel and the Palestinian territories, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Romania, and Hungary. He has written for The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and The Telegraph, among other publications. His first book, Defeating the Dictators: How Democracy Can Prevail in the Age of the Strongman, was published by Hodder & Stoughton in February 2023.  

Dr. Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai is an award-winning Vietnamese writer. She is the author of eleven books of poetry, short fiction, and non-fiction. Her books in Vietnamese have won the 2010 Poetry of the Year Award from the Hanoi Writers Association and first prize in the Poetry Competition celebrating 1,000 Years of Hanoi. Her debut novel and first book in English, The Mountains Sing, is an international bestseller and won the 2021 PEN Oakland/Josephine Miles Literary Award. She regularly writes for Vietnamese newspapers and her writing has appeared in outlets including The New York Times, BBC Vietnamese, LitHub, and Poets & Writers Magazine. Her second novel in English, Dust Child, is forthcoming from Algonquin Books. 

On this episode of the Tea Leaves Podcast, Dr. Evan S. Medeiros provided his unique insight into the state of U.S.-China relations following the Chinese surveillance balloon incident, why the incident matters, and the outlook for re-engagement. Dr. Medeiros and Rexon also explored how China's domestic economic imperatives are shaping its foreign policy, expectations for the upcoming Two Sessions parliamentary meetings, how Washington can use its diplomatic and economic leverage over Beijing, and more. Dr. Medeiros is the Penner Family Chair in Asian Studies at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and a Senior Advisor at The Asia Group. Dr. Medeiros served on the National Security Council for six years under U.S. President Barack Obama, first as Director for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia, and then as President Obama's top advisor for U.S. policy in Asia.

Ashok Malik is a Partner at The Asia Group and Chair of its New Delhi-based subsidiary in India where he leads the firm's in-market business strategy and services. Prior to joining the firm, Ashok served for three years (2019-22) as Policy Advisor/Additional Secretary in India's Ministry of External Affairs. In that capacity, he worked closely with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and others in the senior leadership of the Ministry to help shape and explain India's foreign policy in a crucial and eventful period for the international system. Between 2017 and 2019, Ashok served as speechwriter and spokesperson for the 14th President of India, President Ram Nath Kovind.  Before joining the government, Ashok was a Distinguished Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, one of India's preeminent think-tanks, where he analyzed India's foreign policy and political economy. For nearly two decades, Ashok also had a distinguished career as a writer and editor at The Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Indian Express and numerous other leading Indian publications. He became one of India's best-read columnists and commentators, and was in 2016 awarded the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors.

Ashok Malik is a Partner at The Asia Group and Chair of its New Delhi-based subsidiary in India where he leads the firm's in-market business strategy and services. Prior to joining the firm, Ashok served for three years (2019-22) as Policy Advisor/Additional Secretary in India's Ministry of External Affairs. In that capacity, he worked closely with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and others in the senior leadership of the Ministry to help shape and explain India's foreign policy in a crucial and eventful period for the international system. Between 2017 and 2019, Ashok served as speechwriter and spokesperson for the 14th President of India, President Ram Nath Kovind.  Before joining the government, Ashok was a Distinguished Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, one of India's preeminent think-tanks, where he analyzed India's foreign policy and political economy. For nearly two decades, Ashok also had a distinguished career as a writer and editor at The Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Indian Express and numerous other leading Indian publications. He became one of India's best-read columnists and commentators, and was in 2016 awarded the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors.

Admiral Philip S. Davidson served as the 25th Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command from 2018 to 2021. Before leading USINDOPACOM, Admiral Davidson held U.S. Navy leadership roles in North America, Europe, and Africa, and served ashore in multiple policy, strategy, and operations roles; these included service as senior military advisor to the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP) at the State Department, deputy director for Strategy and Policy in the Joint Staff, and as the Navy's military aide to the vice president of the United States. On this episode, Admiral Davidson examined China's strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific region, assessed the strengths and weaknesses of Taiwan's deterrence capabilities, and underscored the value of U.S. engagement and cooperation with allies and partners in the region.

Admiral Philip S. Davidson served as the 25th Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command from 2018 to 2021. Before leading USINDOPACOM, Admiral Davidson held U.S. Navy leadership roles in North America, Europe, and Africa, and served ashore in multiple policy, strategy, and operations roles; these included service as senior military advisor to the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP) at the State Department, deputy director for Strategy and Policy in the Joint Staff, and as the Navy's military aide to the vice president of the United States. On this episode, Admiral Davidson examined China's strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific region, assessed the strengths and weaknesses of Taiwan's deterrence capabilities, and underscored the value of U.S. engagement and cooperation with allies and partners in the region.

Admiral Philip S. Davidson served as the 25th Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command from 2018 to 2021. Before leading USINDOPACOM, Admiral Davidson held U.S. Navy leadership roles in North America, Europe, and Africa, and served ashore in multiple policy, strategy, and operations roles; these included service as senior military advisor to the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP) at the State Department, deputy director for Strategy and Policy in the Joint Staff, and as the Navy's military aide to the vice president of the United States. On this episode, Admiral Davidson examined China's strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific region, assessed the strengths and weaknesses of Taiwan's deterrence capabilities, and underscored the value of U.S. engagement and cooperation with allies and partners in the region.

Hon. Kevin Rudd served as Australia's 26th Prime Minister from 2007 to 2010 and again in 2013, and as its Foreign Minister from 2010 to 2012. Today, Kevin is global President and CEO of the Asia Society in New York, and President of the Asia Society Policy Institute. On this episode we discussed Kevin's new book, The Avoidable War: The Dangers of a Catastrophic Conflict Between the U.S. and Xi Jinping's China, which is available now everywhere books are sold. Kevin and Rexon explore the risk of conflict between the United States and China, and Kevin's recommendation for a strategic framework to maintain stability between Washington and Beijing.

Hon. Kevin Rudd served as Australia's 26th Prime Minister from 2007 to 2010 and again in 2013, and as its Foreign Minister from 2010 to 2012. Today, Kevin is global President and CEO of the Asia Society in New York, and President of the Asia Society Policy Institute. On this episode we discussed Kevin's new book, The Avoidable War: The Dangers of a Catastrophic Conflict Between the U.S. and Xi Jinping's China, which is available now everywhere books are sold. Kevin and Rexon explore the risk of conflict between the United States and China, and Kevin's recommendation for a strategic framework to maintain stability between Washington and Beijing.

Dr. Amy Searight is a leading U.S. expert on Southeast Asia and U.S. policy in the Indo-Pacific region. Dr. Searight served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia from 2014 to 2016, before which she served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, USAID, and on the State Department's Policy Planning Staff. Today, Amy is a senior associate for Asia at CSIS. On this episode, Amy offered a preview of the historic U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit, which U.S. President Joe Biden will host in Washington on May 12-13. In addition to expectations for the summit, we discussed the challenges facing ASEAN, its members' views on the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy and economic framework, China's relations with the bloc, the Philippines election, and more.

Dr. Amy Searight is a leading U.S. expert on Southeast Asia and U.S. policy in the Indo-Pacific region. Dr. Searight served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia from 2014 to 2016, before which she served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, USAID, and on the State Department's Policy Planning Staff. Today, Amy is a senior associate for Asia at CSIS. On this episode, Amy offered a preview of the historic U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit, which U.S. President Joe Biden will host in Washington on May 12-13. In addition to expectations for the summit, we discussed the challenges facing ASEAN, its members' views on the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy and economic framework, China's relations with the bloc, the Philippines election, and more.

In part two of our conversation with Ashley J. Tellis, we discussed opportunities for the United States and India to expand their relationship through greater cooperation on trade, technology, and security. We also discussed India's views on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, the outlook for a visit to India by U.S. President Joe Biden, Pakistan's changing role in Indian security considerations, and more. Ashley holds the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Previously, he served on the National Security Council (NSC) as special assistant to President George W. Bush and senior director for strategic planning and Southwest Asia. On the NSC he was a top negotiator of the pivotal 2005 U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement – a landmark agreement that helped transform the U.S.-India relationship. You can watch the full video of our conversation at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwSvkY8tzvEq21kNOjYILXQ

In part two of our conversation with Ashley J. Tellis, we discussed opportunities for the United States and India to expand their relationship through greater cooperation on trade, technology, and security. We also discussed India's views on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, the outlook for a visit to India by U.S. President Joe Biden, Pakistan's changing role in Indian security considerations, and more. Ashley holds the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Previously, he served on the National Security Council (NSC) as special assistant to President George W. Bush and senior director for strategic planning and Southwest Asia. On the NSC he was a top negotiator of the pivotal 2005 U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement – a landmark agreement that helped transform the U.S.-India relationship. You can watch the full video of our conversation at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwSvkY8tzvEq21kNOjYILXQ

Ashley J. Tellis holds the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Previously, he served on the National Security Council (NSC) as special assistant to President George W. Bush and senior director for strategic planning and Southwest Asia. On the NSC he was a top negotiator of the pivotal 2005 U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement – a landmark agreement that helped transform the U.S.-India relationship. In part one of our conversation with Ashley, we discussed India's strategic calculus around its relations with Russia amid the Russia-Ukraine war. We also discussed the role of India's tensions with China, and how the White House views India's Russia ties. You can watch the full video of our conversation at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwSvkY8tzvEq21kNOjYILXQ

Ashley J. Tellis holds the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Previously, he served on the National Security Council (NSC) as special assistant to President George W. Bush and senior director for strategic planning and Southwest Asia. On the NSC he was a top negotiator of the pivotal 2005 U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement – a landmark agreement that helped transform the U.S.-India relationship. In part one of our conversation with Ashley, we discussed India's strategic calculus around its relations with Russia amid the Russia-Ukraine war. We also discussed the role of India's tensions with China, and how the White House views India's Russia ties. You can watch the full video of our conversation at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwSvkY8tzvEq21kNOjYILXQ

On this episode, Ambassador Joseph Yun joined us for a deep dive on South Korean President-Elect Yoon Suk-yeol's victory and how the Yoon administration will shape Seoul's foreign policy. We discussed South Korea's relations with the United States, North Korea, and Japan, as well as potential cooperation with the Quad and policy surrounding the Russia-Ukraine War. Ambassador Yun has more than 33 years of diplomatic service, including as U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy from October 2016 to May 2018, and as U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia from 2013 to 2016. On March 22, 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden appointed Ambassador Yun as Special Presidential Envoy for Compact Negotiations, to manage negotiations between the United States and the three Pacific Island countries collectively known as the Freely Associated States (FAS).

On this episode, Ambassador Joseph Yun joined us for a deep dive on South Korean President-Elect Yoon Suk-yeol's victory and how the Yoon administration will shape Seoul's foreign policy. We discussed South Korea's relations with the United States, North Korea, and Japan, as well as potential cooperation with the Quad and policy surrounding the Russia-Ukraine War. Ambassador Yun has more than 33 years of diplomatic service, including as U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy from October 2016 to May 2018, and as U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia from 2013 to 2016. On March 22, 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden appointed Ambassador Yun as Special Presidential Envoy for Compact Negotiations, to manage negotiations between the United States and the three Pacific Island countries collectively known as the Freely Associated States (FAS).

On this episode of The Tea Leaves Podcast, we sat down with Ambassador Ted Osius, the President and CEO of the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council and former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam (2014-2017). Ted highlighted his experience promoting the Trans-Pacific Partnership as the top U.S. diplomat in Hanoi, and discussed the evolution of economic and political relations between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). We also discussed U.S. ambitions to forge a new economic policy agreement in Asia, and the private sector's role in strengthening ties between the United States and Southeast Asia.

On this episode of The Tea Leaves Podcast, we sat down with Ambassador Ted Osius, the President and CEO of the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council and former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam (2014-2017). Ted highlighted his experience promoting the Trans-Pacific Partnership as the top U.S. diplomat in Hanoi, and discussed the evolution of economic and political relations between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). We also discussed U.S. ambitions to forge a new economic policy agreement in Asia, and the private sector's role in strengthening ties between the United States and Southeast Asia.

Dr. Thomas Wright is the director of the Center on the United States and Europe and a senior fellow in the Project on International Order and Strategy at the Brookings Institution. Tom is also a contributing writer for The Atlantic magazine, and last year published Aftershocks: Pandemic Politics and the End of the Old International Order, which he co-authored with current Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl. On this episode, we discussed the Russia-Ukraine crisis and Russian President Vladimir Putin's endgame, how great power rivalry and U.S.-China relations shaped the pandemic response, and the changing power dynamics and outlook for cooperation in the emerging world order.

Dr. Thomas Wright is the director of the Center on the United States and Europe and a senior fellow in the Project on International Order and Strategy at the Brookings Institution. Tom is also a contributing writer for The Atlantic magazine, and last year published Aftershocks: Pandemic Politics and the End of the Old International Order, which he co-authored with current Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl. On this episode, we discussed the Russia-Ukraine crisis and Russian President Vladimir Putin's endgame, how great power rivalry and U.S.-China relations shaped the pandemic response, and the changing power dynamics and outlook for cooperation in the emerging world order.

Nazanin Ash is the CEO of Welcome.US, a non-profit, non-partisan initiative that seeks to rally additional support and resources from the American private sector, NGOs, and community groups in support of arriving Afghans. The initiative was launched in September 2021, and has partnered with the U.S. State Department, as well as more than 250 NGOs, businesses, and leaders of diverse faiths, politics, and backgrounds. Previously, Nazanin was vice president of Global Policy and Advocacy at the International Rescue Committee, and served in senior positions in the U.S. State Department and USAID. On this episode, Nazanin discussed the challenge of resettling close to 100,000 Afghan refugees in less than six months, the Welcome.US approach to public-private partnership and how the organization is rallying resources from across American society, and how the United States can ensure that our new neighbors are provided the support and opportunities to thrive. Please visit www.welcome.us for more information on how you can support the Afghan resettlement effort.

Nazanin Ash is the CEO of Welcome.US, a non-profit, non-partisan initiative that seeks to rally additional support and resources from the American private sector, NGOs, and community groups in support of arriving Afghans. The initiative was launched in September 2021, and has partnered with the U.S. State Department, as well as more than 250 NGOs, businesses, and leaders of diverse faiths, politics, and backgrounds. Previously, Nazanin was vice president of Global Policy and Advocacy at the International Rescue Committee, and served in senior positions in the U.S. State Department and USAID. On this episode, Nazanin discussed the challenge of resettling close to 100,000 Afghan refugees in less than six months, the Welcome.US approach to public-private partnership and how the organization is rallying resources from across American society, and how the United States can ensure that our new neighbors are provided the support and opportunities to thrive. Please visit www.welcome.us for more information on how you can support the Afghan resettlement effort.

Congressman Ami Bera has represented California's 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2013, and he serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation for the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Before entering politics, Congressman Bera had a twenty-year medical career in the Sacramento area. He is a first-generation American, born and raised in California, and the longest-serving Indian American serving in Congress. On this episode, we discussed the prospects for U.S. legislation focused on competition with China, U.S.-China relations and Congress' role with regard to Taiwan, and the United States' role and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.

Congressman Ami Bera has represented California's 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2013, and he serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation for the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Before entering politics, Congressman Bera had a twenty-year medical career in the Sacramento area. He is a first-generation American, born and raised in California, and the longest-serving Indian American serving in Congress. On this episode, we discussed the prospects for U.S. legislation focused on competition with China, U.S.-China relations and Congress' role with regard to Taiwan, and the United States' role and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.

This special episode, presented by the Asia Group in partnership with Bloomberg, highlights the InFinity Forum, a new flagship conference hosted by the Government of India and Bloomberg. Our guest for this episode is Dino Setiawan, chief executive officer and co-founder of AwanTunai, and an advisor to the InFinity Forum. AwanTunai is an Indonesian startup providing financing and digital e-commerce tools to brick-and-mortar wholesalers and small-scale entrepreneurs in the greater Jakarta area. On this episode, Dino discussed building AwanTunai and its prospects for growth, how his platform leverages data to make lending decisions and promote financial inclusion, and the evolution of fintech in Indonesia. The Asia Group served as Bloomberg's knowledge partner for the InFinity Forum, which earlier this month convened entrepreneurs, policymakers, and other leading figures to discuss fintech's development, and its potential to promote financial inclusion, in Asian markets.

This special episode, presented by the Asia Group in partnership with Bloomberg, highlights the InFinity Forum, a new flagship conference hosted by the Government of India and Bloomberg. Our guest for this episode is Dino Setiawan, chief executive officer and co-founder of AwanTunai, and an advisor to the InFinity Forum. AwanTunai is an Indonesian startup providing financing and digital e-commerce tools to brick-and-mortar wholesalers and small-scale entrepreneurs in the greater Jakarta area. On this episode, Dino discussed building AwanTunai and its prospects for growth, how his platform leverages data to make lending decisions and promote financial inclusion, and the evolution of fintech in Indonesia. The Asia Group served as Bloomberg's knowledge partner for the InFinity Forum, which earlier this month convened entrepreneurs, policymakers, and other leading figures to discuss fintech's development, and its potential to promote financial inclusion, in Asian markets.

This special episode, presented by the Asia Group in partnership with Bloomberg, highlights the InFinity Forum, a new flagship conference hosted by the Government of India and Bloomberg. Our guest for this episode is Dino Setiawan, chief executive officer and co-founder of AwanTunai, and an advisor to the InFinity Forum. AwanTunai is an Indonesian startup providing financing and digital e-commerce tools to brick-and-mortar wholesalers and small-scale entrepreneurs in the greater Jakarta area. On this episode, Dino discussed building AwanTunai and its prospects for growth, how his platform leverages data to make lending decisions and promote financial inclusion, and the evolution of fintech in Indonesia. The Asia Group served as Bloomberg's knowledge partner for the InFinity Forum, which earlier this month convened entrepreneurs, policymakers, and other leading figures to discuss fintech's development, and its potential to promote financial inclusion, in Asian markets.

Representative Bi-khim Hsiao leads the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in Washington, DC, serving as Taiwan's top representative in the United States since July 2020. Before entering her current role, Representative Hsiao was Senior Adviser to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen at the National Security Council of Taiwan, and previously served four terms in the Taiwan Legislature, where she was ranking member of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. On this episode, Rexon and Representative Hsiao discussed engagement between Washington and Taipei, Taiwan's pandemic response, regional security issues, Taiwan's engagement with Japan, and more.

Representative Bi-khim Hsiao leads the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in Washington, DC, serving as Taiwan's top representative in the United States since July 2020. Before entering her current role, Representative Hsiao was Senior Adviser to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen at the National Security Council of Taiwan, and previously served four terms in the Taiwan Legislature, where she was ranking member of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. On this episode, Rexon and Representative Hsiao discussed engagement between Washington and Taipei, Taiwan's pandemic response, regional security issues, Taiwan's engagement with Japan, and more.

Peter Borup is a seasoned shipping executive with nearly three decades of experience across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Peter began his career with A.P. Moller Maersk in Copenhagen, and helped to build the company's businesses in South Korea and China. Most recently, Peter was the CEO of Norvic Shipping International, based in Denmark and the U.A.E. In this episode, we discussed the 2021 global supply chain disruptions, longterm challenges and trends in shipping, and the prospects for the shipping industries of China, India, and other Indo-Pacific economies.