Podcasts about indo pacific

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is canceling much of this week's legislative agenda and telling Members of Congress to begin their month-long August recess early to avoid votes on releasing the files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein; House Oversight Committee and Justice Dept seek to interview Ghislane Maxwell, former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein, now in prison related to his crimes; President Trump when asked about Maxwell pivots to the accusations of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, accusing former President Barack Obama of 'treason' for allegedly manufacturing evidence; Senate takes its first vote on fiscal year 2026 spending bills, with Democrats warning Republicans unilateral push for rescissions packages is undermining any bipartisan goodwill in the appropriations process; President  Trump meets with the Filipino President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos, Jr in the WH Oval Office to talk trade & Indo-Pacific security and China; President Trump announces the United States will withdraw again from UNESCO, the United Nations cultural, education and scientific organization due to, the president says, its woke agenda and anti-Israel bias. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amid growing speculation around China's invasion of Taiwan, the island nation has held its largest ever military exercises. Fresh from reporting on live fire drills off the Taiwanese coast, The Telegraph's Asia correspondent Allegra Mendelson shares the latest on Indo-Pacific tensions with Roland Oliphant.Also, Roland speaks to Neal Urwitz, close friend of the US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy - Elbridge A. Colby - to discuss the latter's push to dramatically refocus America's military might purely on Taiwan.Read Allegra's dispatch here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/14/taiwan-forgotten-front-line-defensive-drills-may-not-matter/https://linktr.ee/BattleLinesContact us with feedback or ideas:battlelines@telegraph.co.uk @venetiarainey@RolandOliphantRead Allegra's dispatch here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/14/taiwan-forgotten-front-line-defensive-drills-may-not-matter/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Defence spending surged to a record $2.7 trillion in 2024, with NATO and Indo-Pacific nations ramping up budgets amid ongoing geopolitical risks. Bell Potter sees strong growth ahead, with opportunities in direct plays like DroneShield (ASX:DRO) and broader exposure through ETFs like DFND and ARMR. While the sector has rallied, tailwinds remain - but investors should be mindful of risks like policy shifts and supply chain pressures.In this week's wrap, Grady covers:• (0:14): factors behind the defence sector surge• (2:16): risks facing the sector• (2:50): opportunities for exposure in defence• (4:26): how the market performed this week so far• (5:28): the most traded stocks and ETFs by clients this week• (5:54): economic news items to look out for.

How has Australia's security landscape changed over the last decade? How was the Indo-Pacific concept born, and how has it evolved? What are the biggest threats facing Australia right now? In this episode, Rory Medcalf joins David Andrews to look back on the past decade in which he has served as Head of the ANU National Security College (NSC). They discuss the evolution of global threats over this period and how NSC has shifted its work to respond. Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of NSC. His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia. David Andrews is Senior Manager, Policy & Engagement at NSC TRANSCRIPT Show notes Nuclear Matters podcast ANU National Security College initiatives NSC Community Consultations Contest for the Indo-Pacific: Why China Won't Map the Future Senator the Hon Marise Payne, then Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Senator the Hon Penny Wong, then Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs launch Contest for the Indo-Pacific Professor Medcalf's first speech at NSC, March 2015 Speech: Mapping our Indo-Pacific future, June 2018 Speech: Making sense of national security, December 2022 Speech: Australian resilience and preparedness in the new world disorder, May 2025 We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What should we make of Trump's latest 35% tariff threat on Canada? Rudyard and Andrew agree that while this is not surprising given who we are dealing with, it's also not unique to Canada, with Europe and Mexico likewise getting hit with a tariff threat as well. We are not dealing with a normal interlocutor, and anybody who talks about Trump being a natural negotiator is not familiar with the trajectory of his career and many bankruptcies. Unfortunately for Mark Carney, the US holds most of the cards in cross border negotiations, and if recent history is any indication, there is no way of guaranteeing that Trump will live up to any treaty he signs. In the meantime, Europe and the Indo-Pacific have begun strengthening their relationships with other trade partners which will cost the US bargaining power in the future. But should Canada - in a similar bid to diversify trade - seek to strengthen business ties with China? And can Trump's tariffs - which have already paid off a portion of the US treasury's deficit - actually work as intended and chip away at America's ballooning debt?

Gaurav Sen is a senior research fellow at Jawaharlal Nehru University and the author of Peril of the Pacific: Military balance and Battle for Taiwan. He expertise on Taiwan and Indo-Pacific geopolitics.

Trump says Gaza ceasefire could be days away "US President Donald Trump said a Gaza ceasefire deal could be wrapped up within the week. Speaking at Joint Base Andrews, he noted talks are progressing and hinted at a breakthrough soon. He confirmed that Israel has agreed to the proposed terms for a 60-day truce, with the deal now in Hamas' hands. Qatar and Egypt are mediating, and Hamas has responded positively, showing readiness to move forward. " Trump approves Patriot missiles for Ukraine "Trump announced the US will send Patriot air defence missiles to Ukraine but says the EU is paying the bill. “We're not paying anything for it,” he said, calling it good business for the US. He took a jab at Putin, accusing him of double talk: “He talks nice and then bombs people at night.” Trump didn't say how many missile systems will be delivered." Australia launches biggest war games ever "Australia kicked off its largest-ever military drill, with 35,000 troops training across the country. “Talisman Sabre 2025” includes forces from over 15 partner nations and, for the first time, extends into Papua New Guinea. The exercise reflects growing security concerns in the Indo-Pacific, especially around Taiwan. The three-week drills will cover land, sea, and air operations, showcasing serious regional coordination." Sudan: RSF attack kills 11 civilians, including children "At least 11 civilians, among them three children, were killed in a deadly RSF attack in North Kordofan, Sudan. The Sudan Doctors Network slammed it as one of the most brutal assaults yet. Over 30 others were injured, including nine women and pregnant civilians. Medical officials are calling on the UN and African Union to intervene and stop the violence." Erdogan pushes for ‘Terror-Free Türkiye' "President Erdogan says Türkiye is pushing to erase terrorism from the region's agenda for good. In a call with UAE President Al Nahyan, he reaffirmed Ankara's commitment to regional security under its ‘Terror-Free Türkiye' initiative. Al Nahyan welcomed the move and said it would greatly enhance stability."

Episode Summary: The Air Force increasingly needs a broader set of munitions to achieve mission effects in the modern age. Combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq required a specific range of capabilities. Tomorrow's fights will be different. We need to ensure that we evolve our munitions toolkit to cover these new mission demands. This is especially true when looking at missions in the Indo Pacific—where the threat environment, factors involving range, weather, and mission performance are going to demand a broader range of technical solutions. Join Heather Penney as she speaks with Raytheon's Maj. Gen. Jon Norman, USAF (Ret.) about how he and his team are responding to this new paradigm. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Maj. Gen. John Norman, USAF (Ret.), VP, USAF Air Power Requirements & Capability, Raytheon Missiles & Defense Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #IndoPacom #MiddleEast

The region of the Indian Ocean: a theater of great power rivalries, an economic powerhouse, a crucial geographical zone for maritime trade and security, a new norms setter, and an essential commercial hub. For all these reasons combined, the region is central to ongoing and upcoming geoeconomic shifts and the transformation of the Western powers' shaped international order as we know it today. This region is of crucial importance for France's security, economy, and diplomatic leverage, being the only Indo-Pacific power among the European Union's Member States, thanks to its overseas territories. Amidst the ongoing power competition in the region, middle powers are rising and shaping the future of the Indo-Pacific, and more broadly, of the international order, through new partnerships, alliances and infrastructure projects. Looking ahead to 2025, we aim to discuss the main prospects and challenges of the region from the perspective of a local actor. Therefore, on February 4, 2025, we will have the chance to gain insights into the region from Sri Lanka's perspective. Our guest speaker will be Rishan de Silva, Executive Director of the Sri Lankan think tank, The Geopolitical Cartographer.

President Donald Trump & First Lady Melania Trump travel to Kerrville, Texas to see firsthand the damage from the catastrophic floods that killed at least 120 in the state's Hill Country, with another 170 still missing, meeting with first responders and local officials and promising help to recover and rebuild; federal judge in Maryland indicates she will issue an order to protect Kilmar Abrego Garcia from being quickly deported again if the federal government tries to if Abrego Garcia is released from custody in Tennessee while he is await trial on human trafficking charge; Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets China's Foreign Minister for the first time on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, discussing tariffs and Indo-Pacific security issues; Secretary Rubio also asked about President Trump's announcement that the U.S. will send Ukraine weapons through the NATO military alliance and NATO will pay for them; White House Budget Director Russell Vought promises to investigate Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's handling of renovations at the Federal Reserve building in DC, which Vought calls a 'palace' with enormous cost overruns. Longtime DC media pundit and presidential adviser David Gergen has died at age 83. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Ep. 87, hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso speak with Ambassador Pou Sothirak, a former Cambodian diplomat and current distinguished advisor to the Cambodian Center for Regional Studies, to unpack the complex issues facing Cambodia today. The discussion centers on the renewed border conflict with Thailand, the controversy surrounding the Ream Naval Base, and Cambodia's strategic navigation of its relationships with the United States and China.Ambassador Sothirak provides historical context for the century-old border dispute, which has its origins in French colonial-era maps from 1907. He recounts the history of the conflict, including the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rulings in 1962 and 2013 that affirmed Cambodia's sovereignty over the Preah Vihear temple and its surrounding territory. The most recent clashes, which began in late May, are described as a "misunderstanding" at face value but are deeply entangled with issues of nationalism and domestic politics in both nations. The situation has been exacerbated by a political crisis in Thailand following a leaked phone call between the leaders of the two nations, which has brought bilateral relations to a low point. The Ambassador suggests a path forward involving third-party mediation to facilitate a truce and demilitarization of the border, followed by high-level diplomatic talks.The conversation addresses widespread speculation that China's extensive support in upgrading the Ream Naval Base amounts to establishing a Chinese military outpost. Ambassador Sothirak dismisses this as a "myth," stating that Cambodia's constitution prohibits foreign military bases on its soil. He explains that Cambodia's collaboration with China is aimed at modernizing its own navy to safeguard its maritime security. However, he acknowledges the semi-permanent, rotating presence of Chinese ships and personnel at the base. He views the recent visit by the U.S. Secretary of Defense as a critical opportunity to dispel misconceptions and improve transparency, emphasizing that Cambodia must balance its ties between the two superpowers.The episode explores Cambodia's foreign policy and its efforts to manage its relationships with both the U.S. and China. China is Cambodia's largest donor and source of foreign direct investment, with its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) funding essential infrastructure like power plants and highways. At the same time, the United States is Cambodia's biggest export market. Ambassador Sothirak expresses concern that potential U.S. tariffs, intended to pressure China, could inadvertently harm Cambodia's economy and push it further into China's orbit. He argues that for a small country like Cambodia, maintaining engagement with both the U.S. and China is essential for its development and sovereignty.Follow us on X, @IndoPacPodcast, LinkedIn, or BlueSkyFollow Ray Powell on X, @GordianKnotRay, or LinkedInFollow Jim Carouso on LinkedInSponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific

This week in the Middle East, Iran questioned cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and reportedly received a delivery of Chinese air defense systems, while Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz unveiled plans to relocate Gazans to third countries. In the Russia/Ukraine conflict, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration at Russia's lack of meaningful ceasefire efforts and renewed U.S. weapons shipments to Ukraine, while both the U.S. Congress and the EU are preparing new sanctions against Moscow. In the Indo-Pacific, Trump renewed his threats of tariffs against ASEAN countries, plus Japan and South Korea. He further threatened to levy additional tariffs against Brazil and on all copper exports to the U.S. and extended the deadline for all trade negotiations to Aug. 1. Read the full Weekly Forecast Monitor here: https://newlinesinstitute.org/forecast/week-20250711/ Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. MOFA thanks NATO chief for comments in China's ambition of taking Taiwan The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it welcomes comments by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte concerning China's military buildup and its ambitions toward Taiwan. According to the ministry, the Lai administration will continue working with partners such as the G-7 and NATO to contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and Taiwan Strait. The statement comes after Rutte has issued a warning over China's threat to Taiwan earlier this week - in which he called the growing alignment (結盟) between Beijing, Moscow and other authoritarian regimes a serious threat to global stability. Rutte was speaking at a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin - and said China is increasingly preparing to pursue its ambitions to take over Taiwan and will likely do so in coordination with Russia. Rutte, made a similar warning in a recent interview with the New York Times, saying Beijing could attempt to seize Taiwan while urging Moscow to launch a parallel attack on NATO territory. Tainan cancels urban resilience drills due to typhoon The Tainan City Government has announced that the city's urban resilience drills scheduled for July 16 will be canceled, as it prioritizes disaster relief and reconstruction (重建) after Typhoon Danas battered the south. According to Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che, efforts are still underway to restore power and water to areas affected by the storm - which caused power outages for 282,000 households and downed over 600 utility poles. Some 84-per cent of power has now been restored. Huang says over 1,300 military personnel are supporting disaster relief. The Chiayi City and County governments have also announced the cancellation of their urban resilience drills - which had been scheduled for July 15. US weighs new severe sanctions on Russia Russia could face severe new US sanctions as President Donald Trump and Republican congressional leaders begin to show more openness to a bill that would punish (懲罰) Russia for its war in Ukraine. Kate fisher reports from Washington Ecuador Passes Law Allowing Private Companies to Manage Protected Land Ecuador's parliament has passed a law allowing private companies to help manage protected areas, prompting backlash from Indigenous groups and environmental advocates. Critics say the legislation violates the country's constitution and at least 15 international agreements, and was approved without proper (恰當的) consultation. They warn it could lead to the erosion of Indigenous land rights and environmental protections. The government argues the law, which passed on Thursday, will strengthen oversight, promote ecotourism and combat illegal mining without allowing extractive activity. Moo Deng Celebrates Birthday Thousands of fans have flocked to a Thailand zoo to celebrate the first birthday of Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippo that's become a social media sensation. The Khao Kheow Open Zoo on Thursday launched a four-day event featuring free entry for children under 12. Fans from around the world, including the United States and Malaysia, traveled to see Moo Deng, who charmed visitors with her playful antics (滑稽動作). The zoo also held auctions of Moo Deng-themed items to support animal care. Pygmy hippos are native to West Africa. They are endangered, with only 2,000-3,000 left in the wild. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ 打造綠能與AI科技的示範驗證場域，串聯嘉義、南科、高雄及屏東等園區，大南方智慧轉型的關鍵樞紐，歡迎一同探索沙崙智慧綠能科學城，共創智慧未來！ 參訪進駐資訊請至 https://sofm.pse.is/7vlbw9 網站查詢 經濟部能源署/臺南市政府經濟發展局(廣告) -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Send us a textThe Ones Ready crew is back with a blistering Daily Drop that reads like a classified briefing laced with caffeine and outrage. Jared goes scorched-earth on the U.S. finally banning Chinese farmland buys (spoiler: it's 2025 and somehow this wasn't already illegal). Meanwhile, the Army wants to quadruple Patriot missiles—because what's deterrence without volume? The Air Force still can't decide if the F-15EX should have a roommate. Space Force gets a budget bump, but bureaucratic gatekeepers still cling to outdated classification nonsense like it's a Cold War cosplay. And don't worry, the KC-46 is still a flying contradiction—does it even have SATCOM?Oh, and if you're still here: Nashville. October. OTS. Let's go.

Dr. Kurt Campbell, former Deputy Secretary of State and an architect of the U.S. “Pivot to Asia,” joins the Burn Bag to unpack the strategic crossroads the United States faces in the Indo-Pacific. In a wide-ranging conversation, Campbell discusses the Trump administration's ongoing tariff negotiations with key allies and partners, the shifting contours of U.S.-China competition, and why he believes the United States is underestimating Beijing's long-term scale and capacity. Drawing from his recent Foreign Affairs essay with Rush Doshi, we explore his call for a new strategy of “allied scale” that fuses defense, trade, and technology cooperation. Campbell shares sharp insights on the future of AUKUS, the role of partners such as India, Japan, and Korea, and how the U.S. must adapt its strategy to stay competitive in a region that's central to the 21st century.Read Kurt's Foreign Affairs op-ed (co-authored with Rush Doshi) here.

In his first year back in office, President Trump committed over $1 trillion to defense spending. With global tensions rising—from Europe to the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific—the U.S. is relying on its defense industry to stay ahead. Brownstein's Defense Team breaks down the delayed NDAA, the recently concluded reconciliation fight and the kickoff of FY2026 appropriations talks.

On June 13th, Israel launched attacks on several military and nuclear facilities in Iran, marking the beginning of a 12-day war between the two countries. The United States followed with targeted strikes on Iranian nuclear sites to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power and posing a threat to regional and global stability. China's involvement in the conflict was limited to condemning the Israeli and US use of military force and calling for de-escalation. Beijing offered only rhetorical support for Tehran. To discuss what the Israel-Iran war reveals about China's relationship with Iran, its evolving strategy in the Middle East, and the broader implications for US-China competition, we are joined by Yun Sun on the podcast today. Yun is a Senior Fellow, co-Director of the East Asia Program and Director of the China Program at the Stimson Center. Her recent piece in The Wire China entitled “How China Sees Iran's Future” offers provides a nuanced take on Beijing's calculus during and after the war. Timestamps[00:00] Start[01:34] China's Diplomatic Strategy Toward the Middle East[05:00] A Limited Chinese Response and China's Regional Role[08:19] Chinese Perceptions of Iran's External Strategic Blunders[15:00] Trickling Chinese Investment into Iran[20:10] Chinese Concerns About a Nuclearized Iran[25:09] Implications of the Israel-Iran War for China's Energy Security[32:04] Trump's Response Shaping Chinese Views of the United States 

Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Ian Urbina returns to “Why Should We Care About the Indo-Pacific” to preview Season 2 of his acclaimed Outlaw Ocean podcast, exposing the hidden world of human rights and environmental abuses on the high seas—from brutal labor conditions on distant-water fishing vessels to coercive processing centers in China, India, and beyond.Urbina, founder and director of the Outlaw Ocean Project, dives into the maritime underworld and examines what's changed—and what remains unchanged—since his first appearance on the pod. The conversation unfolds in two parts:1. China's Distant-Water Fleet & At-Sea Abuses- Fleet scale and state ties: China's distant-water fleet dwarfs all others, with estimates ranging from 2,700 to 17,000 vessels; Urbina's team calculated about 6,500 ships, one-third of which have direct state involvement.- Illegal fishing and geopolitical power: Chinese longliners and squid jiggers routinely engage in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing—invading marine protected areas, overfishing, and crossing exclusive economic zones—thereby gaining economic advantage and shaping “facts on the water” to support territorial claims. - Life on board squid jiggers: These industrial vessels use hundreds of bright lights and metal arms to jig for squid. Crews of 30–50 often endure two- to three-year contracts at sea with no shore leave, cramped and unsanitary conditions, malnutrition, and no Wi-Fi. Laborers—initially foreign but increasingly rural Chinese—face debt bondage, violence, passport confiscation, and forced labor. 2. On-Land Processing & Global Supply Chains- Scope expansion: Season 2 follows seafood from ship to shore, uncovering forced labor in processing plants across China, India, and along the North Korean border. - Chinese processing centers: Utilizing open-source intelligence and encrypted Chinese platforms, Urbina's team documented state-orchestrated labor transfers of Uyghurs from Xinjiang to coastal seafood factories—facilities that supply major global buyers, including U.S. government cafeterias. Workers face locked compounds, surveillance, and coercion akin to modern slavery. - North Korean laborers: Thousands of North Korean women are trafficked into Chinese factories under government vetting. Held in locked dorms and subjected to widespread sexual abuse and forced overtime, these women are trapped by debts owed to smugglers and extortion from border officials. - Indian shrimp processing: A whistleblower's 50,000-page dossier exposed debt bondage, physical confinement, and antibiotic-tainted shrimp at processing plants in India. As Western buyers migrated from Thailand to India, the same labor abuses reemerged, threatening food safety and ethical sourcing.By weaving narrative storytelling with hard data and firsthand testimony, this episode underscores the urgent need for transparent supply chains and international enforcement to protect vulnerable workers and marine ecosystems. Visit TheOutlawOcean.com for updates, subscribe to the newsletter, and tune into Season 2 for deep-dive investigations that track seafood—and human exploitation—from ocean depths to dinner tables.

Join us for a bonus episode of the Impossible State Live podcast, recorded during the Looking Forward: The Future of United States–Japan–Korea Trilateral Relations event on June 18, 2025. Senator Andy Kim engaged in a conversation with Victor Cha to discuss the key challenges and opportunities across various sectors that will shape the future of trilateral relations among U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific.

In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Ms. Meia Nouwens and Ms. Veerle Nouwens join us to discuss key takeaways from the recent 2025 IISS Shangri-La Dialogue. They start by discussing the significance of the dialogue as a high-level forum for discussion between governments on issues impacting Asian security and they highlight some of the major topics that countries repeatedly brought up throughout sessions, with cross-regional security, hybrid threats, and uncertainty in the international order as three of the most prominent. They unpack President Macron's speech, who, they note, is the first European leader who has ever been invited to provide keynote remarks at the dialogue, and describe the emphasis he laid on Europe becoming a more active player in the Indo-Pacific region. Meia and Veerle also discuss the attendance from China's side and point to the notable absence of Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun. They describe China's messaging this year as less focused on the United States and instead with a greater emphasis on China's relationships with regional partners. Similarly, they touch on the variety of current views of China they heard from regional countries during the dialogue, which ranged from viewing China as a cooperative partner, a challenger, and a competitor all to different extents. They describe U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth's remarks and note they believe he succeeded in providing some reassurance to allies and underscored his emphasis that the U.S. can work more with partners in the region through increased forward deployment of troops, cooperation on defense industrial capabilities, and greater interoperability. Finally, Meia and Veerle describe what they heard from countries as shared challenges in the region that transcend boundaries and emphasized the consensus among many for the US and China to find ways to cooperate with each other despite their disagreements.     Ms. Meia Nouwens is a Senior Fellow for Chinese Security and Defense Policy. Meia's expertise lies in Chinese cross-service defense analysis, China's defense industry and innovation, as well as China's regional strategic affairs and international relations. She leads IISS research on China's Digital Silk Road, and was a co-lead of the China Security Project with the Mercator Institute for China Studies. Prior to commencing at IISS, she worked for the European External Action Service as a policy officer in Taipei, and as a trade analyst in the EU's delegation to New Zealand. Meia holds a BA Hons in international relations and political science from Macquarie University, a master's in international relations and diplomacy from Leiden University in conjunction with the Clingendael Institute, and an MPhil in modern Chinese studies from the University of Oxford and Peking University.  Ms. Veerle Nouwens is the Executive Director for IISS–Asia. Veerle's expertise lies in Chinese foreign and defense policy, as well as the wider Indo-Pacific defense and security environment. She plays a key part in organizing the annual IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, provides intellectual direction for IISS research on the Asia-Pacific, and works to enhance the profile of IISS across the region and beyond. Prior to joining the IISS, Veerle worked as Senior Research Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London, where she established the Indo-Pacific Programme and focused on China and Indo-Pacific security, and as a policy officer in the political section of the European Union Delegation in Singapore. Veerle holds a BA Hons in international relations and political science from Macquarie University, a Master's in international relations and diplomacy from Leiden University in conjunction with the Clingendael Institute, an MPhil in modern Chinese studies from the University of Oxford and Peking University, and has attended a Mandarin semester programme at Tsinghua University. 

John Anderson and Dr. Rebeccah Heinrichs examine the geopolitical consequences of the conflict between Israel and Iran, highlighting the United States' role in shaping global security and the future of the Middle East. They discuss how President Trump's decisive military strike on Iran's nuclear infrastructure has undermined Tehran's influence and reasserted US supremacy in the region.The conversation reflects on the rise of anti-Semitism, the misguided pursuit of a two-state solution, and the importance of standing with strong allies like Israel. It underscores how pivotal a strong US response in the Middle East is to a strategy of deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, particularly with regard to Taiwan. Dr. Heinrichs criticises Australia's reluctance to strengthen its own defence capabilities in this context, expressing the hope that Australia will choose to collaborate more closely with the United States in an era of mounting global uncertainty.Dr. Rebeccah L. Heinrichs is a senior fellow at Hudson Institute and the director of its Keystone Defense Initiative. Dr. Heinrichs specialises in US national defense policy with a focus on strategic deterrence. Dr. Heinrichs is an adjunct professor at the Institute of World Politics, where she teaches nuclear deterrence theory, and is also a contributing editor of Providence: A Journal of Christianity and American Foreign Policy.

Sea control is more important than ever. With 80-90 percent of the global trade over sea, it is impossible to maintain the current economic order without stability and security of the world's major trading routes. However, more forces than ever are able to destabilize the global maritime network. Whether it is a resurgence in piracy, increased terrorist threats, or state paramilitary organizations, the number of threats at sea is increasing. Today we sat down with Pieter Zhao to discuss these new threats. We also talk about his research into how states are choosing to meet these threats including his work on private maritime security firms and paramilitary maritime forces. Articles Discussed:https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/nwc-review/vol77/iss1/7/https://militairespectator.nl/artikelen/winning-without-fighting-indo-pacificPieter Zhao is a PhD Researcher at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. His current research project focuses on maritime warfare and security from an applied historical perspective, specifically concerning non-state actors and irregular warfare at sea. After completing his BA and MA in History, he pursued a second Master's degree in International Security Studies at Sciences Po, Paris. He completed part of his graduate studies at the Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies in Washington DC, focusing on US-China relations, maritime security, and nuclear proliferation. As a historian, his research interests include international security and geopolitics, specifically in the maritime domain and the Indo-Pacific region. He has previously published in the Naval War College Review, European Journal of East Asian Studies, Comparative Strategy, Militaire Spectator, and the Strategy Bridge.

For several weeks, two Chinese aircraft carrier battle groups have been conducting unprecedented drills in the Western Pacific, sailing further from Beijing than ever before.What message is China trying to send to the world and what can we learn about its Navy's capabilities? Venetia chats to RUSI's Philip Shetler‑Jones, who specialises in Indo-Pacific security.Plus, a rare journey through Gaza with UNICEF's chief spokesman James Elder and a look at an explosive story accusing Israeli soldiers of firing on unarmed Gazan civilians at aid sites they describe as "killing fields".https://linktr.ee/BattleLinesContact us with feedback or ideas:battlelines@telegraph.co.uk @venetiarainey@RolandOliphant Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chinese ambassador Xiao Qian warns Australia about increasing defence spending, warning of economic pain ahead and claiming China has only ever wanted world peace. Find out more about The Front podcast here. You can read about this story and more on The Australian's website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou, Joshua Burton, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso interview Professor Gordon Flake, CEO of the Perth USAsia Centre, about South Korea's political transformation following six months of unprecedented turmoil.The discussion centers on South Korea's remarkable democratic resilience after former President Yoon Suk-yeol's shocking martial law declaration in December 2024, which triggered his impeachment and removal from office, and Lee Jae-myeong's subsequent election victory. Flake emphasizes that despite the chaos—including four different acting presidents—South Korea's institutions held firm, demonstrating the strength of its democracy.The new president faces immediate pressure from Trump administration tariffs affecting Korean exports, with the economy shrinking in the first quarter and auto sales to the US down significantly. Flake warns against conflating trade negotiations with alliance burden-sharing discussions.Lee Jae-myeong has already engaged with President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba, signaling continuity in South Korea's internationalist approach despite his progressive background. The episode explores Korea's potential participation in regional frameworks like Quad-Plus and the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership.Tensions are escalating in the Yellow Sea's Provisional Measures Zone, where China has installed aquaculture facilities without coordination with Seoul. This represents a new kinetic challenge similar to South China Sea disputes.Flake highlights opportunities for US-Korea naval cooperation, noting Korean shipbuilders like Hanwha Ocean's acquisition of Philadelphia shipyard and increased stakes in Australian defense contractor Austal.Flake predicts Lee's first 100 days will prioritize economic growth over progressive social policies due to external pressures. His attendance at the G7 meeting represents crucial engagement with like-minded democracies amid regional uncertainty (this episode was recorded before President Lee elected not to attend the G7).The episode provides essential insights into how South Korea's democratic institutions weathered the crisis, while positioning the country as a consequential middle power navigating complex US-China competition and regional security challenges.Follow the podcast on X, @IndoPacPodcast, LinkedIn, or BlueSkyFollow Ray Powell on X, @GordianKnotRay, or LinkedInFollow Jim Carouso on LinkedInProduced by Ian Ellis-Jones and IEJ Media, on X, @ianellisjonesSponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific

China has long criticised the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, or NATO, for drawing Indo-Pacific countries—Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand—into its orbit. From Beijing's perspective, this marks a troubling effort to export Western military influence to Asia and to contain China's rise. Among Chinese observers, the prospect of Japan aligning more closely with NATO has sparked particular concern. A commentary published on Baidu Baijiahao pointed to NATO's evolution from a regional defence bloc into what is now seen as an overstretched force projecting power far beyond the North Atlantic. Japan's increasing proximity to NATO and its willingness to speak on China's internal affairs are cast as foreign interference with potentially destabilising consequences. On the Chinese microblogging site, Weibo, a post framed Japan's engagement with NATO as part of an inflated narrative of China's threat.----more----Read full article here: https://theprint.in/opinion/eye-on-china/japan-nato-not-indo-pacific-ties-china-us/2669010/

Send us a textWelcome back to The Daily Drop—where Jared rants, roasts, and breaks down the news like only the Ones Ready crew can. Today's main event? Iran punches back with a missile strike on Al-Udeid, but 13 of 14 missiles get slapped out of the sky. Trump drops an F-bomb on the lawn. Space and Cyber Command flex behind the scenes. And everyone's favorite stealth bat—the B-2—continues to steal headlines.Meanwhile, the Air Force wants airmen to run two miles... twice a year. Cue the Facebook tears and diaper rash in the NCO groups. Jared lets the fatties have it with a no-holds-barred takedown that would make your Chief blush. Also: the F-15EX has supply chain issues (again), Tech Sergeant promotions spike, and drones in Ukraine are now hiding in IKEA houses.It's blunt. It's brutal. It's your morning slap of reality—Ones Ready style.

In February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. China has never condemned the invasion, and its government and media have carefully avoided using term “Ukraine War,” opting instead to refer to the war as the “Ukraine crisis,” the “Russia-Ukraine conflict,” or the “special military operation,” a term that echoes Moscow's language. Beijing's approach to the Ukraine War has included support for Russia, a commitment China's own principles, including respecting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a professed desire for peace.This episode's discussion will focus on China's evolving posture toward the war and China's relationship with Ukraine. Joining the podcast this episode is Dr. Vita Golod, who is a Junior Research Fellow at the A. Yu Krymskyi Institute of Oriental Studies, National Academy Sciences of Ukraine, and a Visiting Adjunct Instructor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.She is also the co-founder of the Ukrainian Platform for Contemporary China and a board member of the Ukrainian Association of Sinologists.  Timestamps[00:00] Start[01:35] China's Relationship with Ukraine Prior to Russia's Invasion[05:06] President Zelenskyy's Accusations Against China [08:20] Contemporary Ukrainian Perceptions of Relations with China [12:14] Ukrainian Perceptions of Sino-Russian Relations[16:25] China as a Mediator and Peacemaker[19:06] China's Interests in the Outcome of the Russo-Ukrainian War[21:21] What concrete steps could China take to facilitate peace? [23:14] China's Role in the Post-War Reconstruction of Ukraine[28:08] The Future of Sino-Ukrainian Relations

HPR's Bill Dorman reports on how the recent U.S. strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran affect military operations in the Indo-Pacific region; The University of Hawaiʻi names a new athletics director;

John Lee examines the critical decision President Trump faces on Iran's nuclear program, underscoring its profound implications for global stability. He critiques Australia's passive foreign policy, urging a robust defense strategy to counter emerging threats.Building on this, Lee examines power shifts in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific, pressing Australia to strengthen alliances with the U.S. and Japan. He warns of China's rapid military buildup and calls for strategic resolve to secure national interests, advocating for bold action to restore Australia's influence an increasingly volatile world.Dr John Lee is a Professor and Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute. He is also a senior fellow (non-resident) at the United States Studies Centre and Adjunct Professor at the University of Sydney. John's articles have been published in leading policy and academic journals in the United States, Asia, and Australia. 

In this episode, hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso explore the critical concept of techno-nationalism with expert Alex Capri, author of "Techno-Nationalism: How It's Reshaping Trade, Geopolitics and Society."Techno-nationalism represents the intersection of technology, national security, and economic power in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Capri explains how nation-states are leveraging 12 key power-multiplier technologies--including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum science, hypersonics, biotech, and advanced manufacturing--to maintain competitive advantages and protect national interests.The discussion reveals how China's strategic approach to technology development caught the West off-guard. While Western companies focused on trade liberalization and efficiency, China implemented long-term techno-nationalist policies, including preemptive decoupling in critical sectors like telecommunications and banking. The Great Firewall, established in the mid-1990s, was an early indicator of China's protective stance toward strategic technologies.Capri outlines the six core elements of modern techno-nationalism:1️⃣ Weaponization of supply chains through export controls and investment restrictions2️⃣ Strategic decoupling from potential adversaries3️⃣ Offshoring reversal via reshoring and friend-shoring initiatives4️⃣ Innovation mercantilism through government industrial policy5️⃣ Tech diplomacy for strategic alliance building6️⃣ Hybrid Cold War dynamics amid ongoing commercial activityThe Huawei 5G ban exemplifies techno-nationalist concerns about critical infrastructure security. The company's global telecommunications footprint, built through massive state support, raised red flags about potential surveillance capabilities. Similarly, TikTok represents the dual-use nature of modern technology—commercially popular but potentially strategically valuable for data collection and analysis.Despite China's advances, the US maintains advantages in university systems, defense technology, and innovation ecosystems. However, success requires strategic partnerships with allies, particularly in semiconductor manufacturing and critical mineral supply chains. The conversation highlights concerns about policy continuity across political administrations and the importance of sustained investment in STEM education and public-private partnerships.Techno-nationalism isn't just about US-China competition—it's a global phenomenon affecting all nation-states as they navigate security, economic stability, and technological sovereignty in an interconnected world.Follow our podcast on X, @IndoPacPodcast, LinkedIn or BlueSkyFollow Ray Powell on X (@GordianKnotRay) or LinkedInFollow Jim Carouso on LinkedInSponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific

This week, Israel escalated its military campaign against Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure, while the U.S. weighed potential involvement in the conflict. In the Indo-Pacific, Taiwan added Chinese companies to its export blacklist, limiting their access to advanced microchips, while concerns lingered over the impact of Chinese rare earth elements export curbs despite last week's U.S./China trade agreement. In the Russia/Ukraine war, Ukrainian operations halted Russian advances on Sumy, while leaders of the G7 discussed new sanctions against Russia. Read the Weekly Forecast Monitor here: https://newlinesinstitute.org/forecast/week-202506020/ Marxist Arrow by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week Mike speaks with Richard Rossow, an esteemed expert who has focused on U.S.-India Relations for over 25 years. He is currently Senior Adviser and Chair on India and Emerging Asia Economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. They discuss the activities of the Quad, U.S.-India relations, how India could grow its trade partnership with the United States, and more. 

In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Dr. Ely Ratner joins us to discuss the case for a defense pact in the Indo-Pacific. Dr. Ratner starts by laying out his argument of why he thinks now is the right time for this type of agreement, discussing that the pact may serve to help maintain stability and deterrence in the region amidst China's aggressive ambitions to reshape the global order. Dr. Ratner discusses the four countries, U.S., Japan, Australia, and the Philippines, that he believes the pact will include to start with and what their responsibilities will be within the pact. He shares that he envisions one of the main features of this partnership to be greater military integration among its members and to serve as a framework to garner the collective power of US allies and partners through a multilateral collective security agreement. Dr. Ratner discusses the viability of the pact and the reasons he thinks there are more opportunities for the pact to be successful now than there was in the past, including greater strategic alignment among the four partner countries, increased intra-Asian cooperation, and the growing reciprocity in U.S. alliances themselves. Dr. Ratner also considers how these different countries may respond to the idea of this pact, especially considering China may react badly to it. He underscores that Beijing is likely to behave badly regardless of this pact and states countries should not turn away from it because of Beijing. Finally, Dr. Ratner underscores how this pact would not require the U.S. to extend new commitments abroad and describes the continuing will and desire he sees from the Trump Administration to continue cooperation and strengthening of alliances in the region. Dr. Ely Ratner is a Principal at The Marathon Initiative, a bipartisan think tank dedicated to preparing the United States for an era of sustained great power competition. He served as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs from 2021-2025. Prior to confirmation, he was the Director of the DoD China Task Force and a Senior Advisor to China to the Secretary of Defense. Before arriving at the Department of Defense, Dr. Ratner was the Executive Vice President and Director of Studies at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), where he was a member of the executive team and responsible for managing the Center's research agenda and staff. Dr. Ratner served from 2015 to 2017 as the Deputy National Security advisor to Vice President Joe Biden, and from 2011 to 2012 in the office of Chinese and Mongolian affairs at the State Department. He earned his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley.

Oil climbed and most stocks in Asia followed losses on Wall Street as concerns mounted that an escalation of tensions in the Middle East will trigger a more direct US involvement. West Texas Intermediate crude rose as much as 1.1% in early trading Wednesday after settling at the highest in almost five months the previous day. US equity futures slipped, as did Australia’s benchmark index and Hong Kong futures.Staying with geopolitics, The White House's review of the Aukus pact — a security arrangement between the US, UK and Australia — is rattling one of Washington’s closest alliances, and playing right into China’s hands. It sends yet another signal that America First might just mean everyone else alone. First announced by former President Joe Biden in 2021, the multibillion-dollar deal commits Washington and London to help Canberra develop a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines over a 30-year period. It was designed to help counter Beijing’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. For more, we turn to Bloomberg Opinion columnist Karishma Vaswani. Plus - Federal Reserve officials are widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged for a fourth straight meeting on Wednesday, reiterating they want more clarity on the economic impact of a wide array of government policy changes before adjusting borrowing costs. Policymakers have warned President Donald Trump’s tariffs could boost inflation and unemployment, but so far, steady hiring and cooling inflation have allowed Fed officials to keep rates unchanged this year. We speak to Bill Campbell, Global Bond Portfolio Manager at DoubleLine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode of China Insider, Miles Yu comments on the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, and what impact this may have on China's strategic objectives for Iran and larger policy implications for regional relations in the Middle East. Next, Miles unpacks the latest news from the G7 Summit held in Canada as the member nations discuss China's non-market policies and unfair business practices. Lastly, we discuss the recent PLA Navy operation involving two aircraft carriers sailing east of the first island chain in the Indo-Pacific, and how the US and its allies may look to respond under the new strategic policy shift to deter Chinese maritime aggression.China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute's China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world's future.

On this Land Warfare episode, sponsored by American Rheinmetall, Dr. John Nagl, a retired US Army lieutenant colonel who is now a professor of Warfighting Studies in the Department of Military Strategy, Planning, and Operations at the Army War College, joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to analyze the US Army's lessons learned from the Ukraine war and the service's new Army Transformation Initiative, an update on efforts to better prepare the force for war in the Indo-Pacific and Cold War lessons worth relearning, attributes that should shape the Army's next tank and ground vehicles, and more.

Partnering Will Determine the First Days of Conflict in the Western PacificResolute Dragon: Reassurance, Deterrence, and a Call for Coordination

In this reflective and fiery episode of the RattlerGator Report, J.B. White kicks off a laid-back summer Monday with sharp insight into the deeper meaning behind Trump's birthday parade and the failed “No Kings” astroturf campaign. Blending spiritual conviction with military strategy, J.B. weaves personal anecdotes, birthday reflections, and gospel soundtracks into a passionate monologue on Project De-Weaponization, discernment, and the power of Sun Tzu's philosophy in Trump's second act. He explores the psychological and geopolitical implications of America's Indo-Pacific pivot, Iran's missteps, and China's internal fracture, suggesting a quiet transfer of power underway behind the scenes. With characteristic candor and patriotic fire, J.B. lays out why Trump is winning the global narrative war, one strategic move at a time.

Hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso interview Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE), a retired Air Force Brigadier General with 29 years of military service. Rep. Bacon serves on the House Armed Services Committee and brings unique insights from both military leadership and congressional oversight.Congressman Bacon is concerned that America is spending just 2.9% of GDP on defense—the lowest level since 1940, before Pearl Harbor. He argues for increasing defense spending to 4% of GDP, approximately $150 billion more annually, to address critical modernization needs including nuclear triad upgrades, fifth and sixth-generation fighters, attack submarines, and improved military quality of life.The discussion highlights America's innovation deficit, particularly in drone technology and electronic warfare, where Ukrainian forces have outpaced U.S. capabilities. Bacon emphasizes how Ukraine's recent destruction of 41 Russian strategic bombers using $5,000 drones demonstrates the power of cost-effective innovation over expensive legacy systems.Bacon addresses growing tensions within the Republican Party between traditional alliance supporters and isolationist factions, drawing parallels to 1930s isolationism. He warns that current diplomatic approaches risk alienating key allies, citing business challenges with Canada and European partners. The congressman advocates for maintaining America's role as "leader of the free world" while acknowledging the need for burden-sharing.With China potentially spending $700 billion on defense (despite claiming $170 billion), Bacon emphasizes the urgency of military modernization focused on long-range precision weapons, air and missile defense, and drone swarm technology. He stresses that deterring China requires immediate weapons deliveries to Taiwan, noting billions in delayed military aid.Two years of continuing resolutions have hampered military readiness and prevented new program starts. Bacon explains the bipartisan nature of the Armed Services Committee while criticizing broader congressional dysfunction that prioritizes partisan politics over national security.Bacon highlights critical nuclear deterrent gaps, including 50-year-old Minuteman III ICBMs that cannot be extended, aging B-2 bombers with outdated stealth technology, and Ohio-class submarines reaching end-of-life. With Strategic Air Command (SAC) Headquarters located at Offutt Air Force Base in his district, he argues these systems are essential for countering both China and Russia.Despite being a deficit hawk concerned about the $36 trillion national debt, Bacon argues that defense spending increases are necessary while addressing mandatory spending on Social Security and Medicare, which comprises 73% of federal spending.This episode provides essential insights into America's defense readiness challenges, alliance management complexities, and the urgent need for strategic clarity in confronting great power competition in the Indo-Pacific region.

On April 22, 2025, gunmen in the town of Pahalgam, located in the disputed region of Kashmir, killed 26 people—mostly Indian tourists. A four-day military clash between India and Pakistan ensued, bringing both countries to the brink of a full-blown war, before a ceasefire was reached on May 10, 2025. During the India-Pakistan clashes, Beijing urged both sides to deescalate and called for a “political settlement through peaceful means.” But China did not play a neutral role in the conflict. Consistent with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's purported statement to his Pakistani counterpart that “China fully understands Pakistan's legitimate security concerns and supports Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty and security interests,” China reportedly provided intelligence, satellite equipment, and other forms of support to Pakistan before and during the clashes.To analyze China's role in the conflict, host Bonnie Glaser is joined by Andrew Small. Andrew is a senior transatlantic fellow with GMF's Indo-Pacific program, and author of two books on China, including “The China-Pakistan Axis: Asia's New Geopolitics,” which is now ten years old, but remains an insightful and relevant study. Timestamps[00:00] Start[01:46] China's Diplomatic Response to the India-Pakistan Clashes[05:58] Beijing's Offer of Playing a “Constructive Role”[10:56] A Testing Ground for Chinese Weaponry and Equipment[14:03] China's Cautious Approach to Sino-Indian Relations[18:10] Military Support and the Sino-Pakistan Relationship[23:44] Implications for Chinese Arms Exports[26:27] Indian and Pakistani Assessments of Chinese Involvement[30:06] Influence of US-China Rivalry on India-Pakistan Relations

In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Pacheco Pardo, and Mr. Sydney Seiler discussed South Korea's new president, the foreign policy challenges facing the incoming administration, and the implications of the election for U.S.–ROK relations and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

After a long-awaited phone call between President Trump and President Xi Jinping and as Trump tries to iron out the kinks of his trade war with China, Ely Ratner,  Biden's Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Indo-Pacific with close ties to Trump's Pentagon, argues that America needs a new NATO-like defense pact in Asia to counter the growing threat from Beijing. Plus, award-winning author and professor Ibram X. Kendi talks to Bianna about his new biography for young readers exploring the complex nature of Malcom X's legacy. Also, CNN's Mike Valerio breaks down what South Korea's new leader Lee Jae-myung means for the country's democracy following its martial law crisis, and the implications of this election for its relations with the United States and the region. Then, investigative Russian journalists Irina Borogan and Andrei Soldatov, now living in exile, discuss their new book, "Our Dear Friends in Moscow," about how their former colleagues in the Russian press came to enable Vladimir Putin's regime. From the archives, decades after allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy to rid Western Europe of Nazi control, history buff and World War Two chronicler Tom Hanks on why the stories of D-Day's heroic generation must be told. As theatre's leading men and reigning divas head to the Tony Awards this weekend, one of the nominees, David Yazbek speaks to Bianna Golodryga about his play, "Dead Outlaw."  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

PRC: DIRECTING THE ATLANTIC FLEET TO THE INDO-PACIFIC BEFORE 2027. JIM FANELL, @GORDONGCHANG, GATESTONE, NEWSWEEK, THE HILL 1916

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered an extremely hawkish speech in which he demonized China as a "threat" and said, "We are preparing for war". Ben Norton analyzes the top Trump admin official's aggressive remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue 2025 summit. He explains the geopolitics of the Asia-Pacific region, and Washington's unsuccessful attempt to pressure countries to join its new cold war on Beijing. VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLOTTVI_LAA US defense secretary declared 'holy war' on China, left & Islam: https://geopoliticaleconomy.com/2025/03/07/us-defense-secretary-hegseth-overthrow-china-crusade/ Is war on China coming? The US military is seriously preparing: https://geopoliticaleconomy.com/2025/04/28/us-military-war-china-silicon-valley/ Topics 0:00 (CLIPS) US defense secretary speech 0:30 US military prepares for war 1:05 (CLIP) "We are preparing for war" 1:25 Trump admin's war threats 1:55 (CLIP) Trump "will never hesitate to" use force 2:13 (CLIP) "Deterrence" and war 2:24 Shangri-La Dialogue 2025 summit 2:41 Asia-Pacific region 3:59 (CLIP) USA is "here to stay" in "Indo-Pacific" 4:19 US empire seeks hegemony 4:50 (CLIP) Pentagon says China is a "threat" 5:11 Pete Hegseth, extremist US "crusader" 6:31 Myth of Chinese "hegemony" 7:24 (CLIP) Hegseth on China "threat" 8:01 China opposes hegemony 9:34 China doesn't want hegemony 10:33 US pressures Asia to cut ties with China 11:17 (CLIP) USA opposes "economic cooperation" 11:47 Taiwan 13:05 (CLIP) Hegseth on Taiwan 13:32 Hegseth's hawkish rhetoric 13:56 (CLIP) US "warfighters" and "warfighting" 14:31 US military budget of $1 trillion 14:40 (CLIP) Trump boosts US military spending 15:02 Military interventions 15:32 (CLIP) USA tells Asia: Join us against China 15:48 US divide-and-conquer strategy is failing 16:23 China, Japan, South Korea cooperate 16:47 Trump's tariff threats 17:25 RCEP trade deal 17:55 ASEAN-GCC-China summit 18:36 India 18:43 (CLIP) Hegseth on US-India partnership 19:00 India-China relations 20:24 Philippines volunteers to be Ukraine of Asia 21:21 US military bases and missiles in Philippines 21:51 Militarization of first island chain 22:48 Regional non-alignment 23:19 Philippines and Australia 24:40 Colonialist Monroe Doctrine 25:03 (CLIP) Hegseth threatens Panama Canal 25:31 US imperialism is bipartisan 26:03 Biden official praises Trump's China policy 27:02 Republicans vs Democrats 27:39 US empire says war is peace 28:32 (CLIP) USA doesn't seek encirclement? 28:45 US "grand encirclement plan" for China 29:34 Biden admin's China policy 30:02 (CLIP) Antony Blinken on China containment 30:15 Imperial hypocrisy 31:05 Cold War Two 31:54 Silicon Valley profits from war preparations 32:15 Outro

“I do believe we're in a strategic competition. I believe it's fine to describe it that way analytically. But if it's a competition that is purely strategic, what's the goal? What's the endpoint?” U.S. strategic competition with China is a cornerstone of our Indo-Pacific policy. However, this suggests that the U.S.-China relationship is always a zero-sum game when the reality is much more complicated. Dr. Tom Christensen, Columbia University professor, former White House official, and new CSIS Pritzker Chair, joins the podcast to discuss U.S. strategic competition with China and how we should reframe our thinking about it.

Preview: Colleague Captain Jim Fanell, USN (Ret.) recommends moving the Atlantic Fleet to basing in the Indo Pacific in order to prepare for 2027. More later. 1912 BATTLESHIP WYOMING

This event is part of our ⁠Age of the Strongman⁠ series. ⁠Click here⁠ to see the other events in the series. President Xi Jinping has ruled China for more than a decade. He has overseen an era of unprecedented economic prosperity, cracked down on dissidents, reinvented national identity in his own image and adopted a confrontational ‘wolf warrior' style of diplomacy on the world stage. Xi has also abolished term limits as President of the Communist Party and it's possible that he will remain China's all-powerful leader for the rest of his life. So what motivates the leader of the world's most populous nation? What is his vision for China and the world? How much should the West push back and how much should it cooperate with Xi? In May 2025, Rana Mitter, renowned historian at Harvard Kennedy School and previously the Director of The University of Oxford's China Centre, came to Intelligence Squared for the next event in our new series, The Age of the Strongman. Drawing on his work and recent book China's Good War: How World War II is Shaping a New Nationalism, Mitter examined the key tenets of Xi's political ideology, and how his cult of personality and military posturing in the Indo-Pacific will play out in 2025 and beyond. The event was hosted by Gideon Rachman. ---- If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events  ...  Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In our news wrap Saturday, global reaction to a surprise tariff announcement from President Trump after he said Friday that was doubling levies on imported steel, Russia launched drone and missile attacks on Ukraine ahead of a fresh round of peace talks and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pressed Indo-Pacific allies to increase defense spending as tensions with China rise. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

This event is part of our Age of the Strongman series. Click here to see the other events in the series. President Xi Jinping has ruled China for more than a decade. He has overseen an era of unprecedented economic prosperity, cracked down on dissidents, reinvented national identity in his own image and adopted a confrontational ‘wolf warrior' style of diplomacy on the world stage. Xi has also abolished term limits as President of the Communist Party and it's possible that he will remain China's all-powerful leader for the rest of his life. So what motivates the leader of the world's most populous nation? What is his vision for China and the world? How much should the West push back and how much should it cooperate with Xi? In May 2025, Rana Mitter, renowned historian at Harvard Kennedy School and previously the Director of The University of Oxford's China Centre, came to Intelligence Squared for the next event in our new series, The Age of the Strongman. Drawing on his work and recent book China's Good War: How World War II is Shaping a New Nationalism, Mitter examined the key tenets of Xi's political ideology, and how his cult of personality and military posturing in the Indo-Pacific will play out in 2025 and beyond. The event was hosted by Gideon Rachman. ---- This is the first instalment of a two-part episode. If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events  ...  Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices