Podcasts about South Asia

Over the last several years, God has been saving thousands of people in one state in South Asia - all glory to God! Glenn and Rhonda have led out in this work, and have some helpful keys that contributed to this growth. Two keys in particular are easy access to the Scriptures (in audio form on SD cards) and extraordinary prayer. Also listen in to hear how simple tracking methods are not primarily used to "count churches," but in order to provide a road map for believers, and a symbol of their significance in God's Kingdom. Ordinary believers are empowered to know God's Word well, mature in their faith (including practice and theology), and lead many others to faith in Jesus Christ. Praise God for how HE is working to seek and save the lost. Glenn and Rhonda have some excellent resources to share (in English, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Gujrati, and Nepali). For access to their Ek Rasta materials (story set from Creation to New Creation), and to learn more about their reporting technique using simple church circles, visit their website: https://southasiansands.wixsite.com/ekrasta 10-minute video of Rhonda explaining the simple church mapping tool:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IFnYlwYiO3UPxY3s92brEN5leejdNYm_/view?usp=drivesdk Free Ek Rasta app downloads for your Apple or android devices:https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ek-rasta/id1517191653 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.rajasthan.ekrasta.multi   Connect with us: The Coworkers Podcast website Email: coworkersstudy@gmail.com

Last month the UK was hit by a record-breaking heatwave, part of a wider climate event that affected much of Europe, whilst a subsequent and more severe heatwave hit South Asia. To talk through the politics of heatwaves, I was joined by Adrienne Buller, editor of The Breakdown. We talked the differential impacts of heatwaves, and why it is that focus on climate in the media has declined at the same time as the global climate situation has never been more severe. We also talked about climate adaptation - in both more and less benign guises - and finally we talked about the prospect of geoengineering and how close we might be to corporate and state actors deploying technologies such as Stratospheric Aerosol Injection that aim to reduce inbound solar radiation. Notes: Adrienne's article in The Breakdown: https://www.break-down.org/reflections-on-a-heatwave-2/ Sofia Menemenlis' PTO interview: https://www.patreon.com/poltheoryother/posts/sunlight-w-sofia-142819236

An interview with Lee Jae Myung, South Korea's president, a year into his role. Though he has stabilised a turbulent polity and overseen a stock market rally, the path ahead may be bumpy. Can India's cockroach party become a powerful political movement? And celebrating the creator of “Persepolis”, Marjane Satrapi. Watch extended clips from Insider hereGuests and host:Noah Sneider, East Asia bureau chiefTom Sasse, South Asia bureau chiefAnn Wroe, obituaries editorRosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: South Korea, Lee Jae Myung, North KoreaCockroach party, Narendra Modi, Gen-Z protestsMarjane Satrapi, Iran, PersepolisListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An interview with Lee Jae Myung, South Korea's president, a year into his role. Though he has stabilised a turbulent polity and overseen a stock market rally, the path ahead may be bumpy. Can India's cockroach party become a powerful political movement? And celebrating the creator of “Persepolis”, Marjane Satrapi. Watch extended clips from Insider hereGuests and host:Noah Sneider, East Asia bureau chiefTom Sasse, South Asia bureau chiefAnn Wroe, obituaries editorRosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: South Korea, Lee Jae Myung, North KoreaCockroach party, Narendra Modi, Gen-Z protestsMarjane Satrapi, Iran, PersepolisListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of the Wisdom Podcast, recorded as a Wisdom Dharma Chat, features special guests H. E. Serkong Tsenshap Rinpoche, Atisha Mathur, and Fabrizio Pallotti. Together with host Daniel Aitken, they tackle the topic of Buddhist education in the modern world. Discussing the value of rigorous critical thinking in improving Western Dharma study. How students can benefit from collaboration such as the collaboration with Serkong Institute, Association Manjushri Lotsaw, and University of Pisa to bring traditional Buddhist academic structure to Western academia. They also discuss Rinpoche's course with Wisdom Academy, The Debate Between Wisdom and Ignorance.  They also discuss Serkong Institute's mission to guide students amid abundant online materials and the evolution of AI by grounding them in His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Nalanda tradition; how debate functions as a practical tool to test understanding, refine doubts, and build conviction; how to cultivate correct understanding of the Four Noble Truths, liberation, and critical inquiry through reasoning and debate; and much more! The debate videos referenced in the episode can be viewed in the original Dharma Chat from minutes 40:22 to 41:11 here. Additional content mentioned in this episode: Learn more about the Serkong Institute at https://www.serkonginstitute.org/ Learn more and enroll in The Debate Between Wisdom and Ignorance.  Learn more about Science of Mind and Epistemology for Critical Thinking and Contemplative Sciences. Offered in collaboration with Serkong Institute and Association Manjushri Lotsaw. Available from June 15-July 24 2026.  Wisdom Podcast listeners are invited to save 20% off The Debate Between Wisdom and Ignorance with code WPODDEBATE through July 13. The views and opinions expressed on this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Wisdom Publications or any entities they represent. Meet Our Guests: H. E. Serkong Tsenshap Rinpoche H. E. Serkong Tsenshap Rinpoche was born in the Spiti valley, in India, in 1984. At the age of two, Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche II (1984 – present) pointed to the photo of the recently deceased Assistant Tutor of the 14th Dalai Lama and said, “That's me!” When he was about three years old he was recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the incarnation of Kyabje Tsenshap Serkong Tugse Rinpoche (1914-1983), who was one of the seven master debate partners to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Rinpoche began his Buddhist studies and training at Ganden Jangtse Monastery in South India. After deciding to continue his work for the Dharma as a lay person, he completed his education at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics in Dharamsala. On the advice of the Dalai Lama, Rinpoche completed three years of intensive study of English in Canada. Rinpoche teaches at Dharma Centers around the world, combining his experience of the study and practice of Buddhism with his acquaintance with the Western world. His fascinating teachings are full of wisdom, grace, and humor. Rinpoche feels privileged to continue the responsibilities of Tsenshap Serkong Tugse Rinpoche to teach and benefit people as much as he can. Atisha Mathur, Ph.D. Dr. Atisha Mathur was born and brought up in New Delhi, India. He pursued his undergraduate studies in Language and Literature of South Asia, with a focus on Tibetan studies, at the esteemed Orientale in Naples, Italy. His scholarly pursuits led him to the Central University of Tibetan Studies in Sarnath, India, where he was first immersed in the traditional approach to Buddhist studies.  Atisha then completed a rigorous 10-year study program at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics in Dharamsala which emphasizes logic, debate, and the major Indian and Tibetan treatises. In 2024, he earned his doctoral degree in Buddhist Studies at L’Orientale in Naples, Italy.  Since 2019, Atisha has generously shared his expertise in logic and debate with groups of students from all over the world. Bio and photo courtesy of https://www.serkonginstitute.org/teachers Fabrizio Pallotti Fabrizio Pallotti (Champa Pelgye) has been studying and practicing Buddhism since 1979. Fully ordained by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1982, he lived in India from 1987 to 1993, where he learned Tibetan under the guidance of great first-generation masters such as Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche, Ribur Rinpoche, Denma Locho Rinpoche and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. For eight years, he lived permanently with Kyabje Ribur Rinpoche, one of the great lamas of Tibet, serving as his translator and secretary. At the request of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, he then served at the Lama Tsong Khapa Institute as a Tibetan-to-English translator for the Master’s Program. For many years he has been the official Italian translator of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He is the founder and president of the Manjushri Lotsawa Association and the Sarva Yoga Citta Academy—Yoga of the Mind. Author of the program “Thought Education and Emotional Hygiene,” he teaches at numerous Buddhist centers and master’s programs in Italy. Bio and photo courtesy of https://www.iltk.org/insegnante/fabrizio-pallotti/ The post H. E. Serkong Tsenshap Rinpoche, Atisha Mathur, and Fabrizio Pallotti: Buddhist Education in the Modern World (#233) appeared first on The Wisdom Experience.

Ed Bogan is a retired senior CIA Operations Officer and former two-time Chief of Station with 24 years of experience in intelligence operations across South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. He served repeatedly in war and conflict zones, including as Chief of Base and in acting chief roles, and later became a public commentator on counter-terrorism, Russian disinformation, intelligence operations and the war in Ukraine.----------LINKS:https://www.thecipherbrief.com/experts/edward-boganhttps://www.thecipherbrief.com/podcasts/around-the-world-with-former-cia-officer-edward-boganhttps://sashaingber.substack.com/p/whats-next-for-ukraine-with-former----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

Dr. Pramod Varma, chief architect of Aadhaar, UPI, and the India Stack, and co-founder of Networks for Humanity, joins host Tushar Shetty to discuss the design philosophy and the next stages of India's Digital Public Infrastructure.We discuss the core principles that distinguish the India Stack from platform models like Alipay and PayPal, the Account Aggregator framework's consent architecture and its relationship to data protection regimes like the GDPR, the extension of DPI logic to business identity and flow-based lending through the Unified Lending Interface, the role of AI as both a driver of demand for DPI foundations and an opportunity for, the case for DPI as a replicable global model for the democratization of technology.For more in-depth analysis on South Asia, subscribe to the Beyond the Indus podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or follow us on YouTube for video episodes.

Ralph Goff is a retired senior CIA officer and former intelligence executive, best known as a six-time CIA Chief of Station with a 35-year career in U.S. intelligence. His overseas service included postings and operational work across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, South Asia, and several war zones. He later served as Chief of Operations for Europe and Eurasia and as head of the CIA's National Resources Division, where he worked with senior U.S. private-sector figures in finance, banking, and security.Before joining the CIA, Goff served in the U.S. Army as a Russian linguist and signals intelligence officer on the East German border during the late Cold War, monitoring Soviet forces. After retiring from the CIA in October 2023, he became a public commentator on intelligence, Russia, Ukraine, and great-power competition. He has traveled regularly to Ukraine, met with Ukrainian officials, and argued that Western support for Kyiv has often been too cautious. In a 2025 interview, he said the West had given Ukraine “enough weapons to bleed, not to win,” criticising fear of escalation as a strategic constraint. In 2025, Goff was reportedly selected by CIA Director John Ratcliffe to become Deputy Director for Operations, the post overseeing human intelligence and covert action, but the appointment was later withdrawn. Reporting by Politico and The Washington Post said the reversal surprised many intelligence professionals and was linked by sources to political concerns, including Goff's public support for Ukraine. Today, Goff is known as a forthright advocate for rebuilding U.S. clandestine capabilities, strengthening Western intelligence posture, and supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression. His public persona combines old-school operations experience, Atlanticist conviction, and a blunt critique of risk-aversion in Western policy.----------LINKS:https://www.thecipherbrief.com/experts/ralph-goffhttps://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ex-cia-chief-we-gave-ukraine-enough-weapons-to-bleed-not-to-win-r3q0r2fcghttps://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/02/cia-drops-agency-veteran-clandestine-operations-00267346----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

After decades of overpopulation worries, the country now has the opposite concern. We examine India's unusual demographic turn, and why it is a wider warning to the world. Vegan substitutes have broadly improved in recent years—so why is there no good vegan cheese? And remembering Sonny Rollins, an absolute colossus of the saxophone. Watch extended clips from Insider here.Guests and host:Tom Sasse, South Asia bureau chiefSam Colbert, senior series producer, Economist PodcastsJon Fasman, senior culture correspondentJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: India, fertility rates, global populationvegan cheeseSonny Rollins, jazzGet a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After decades of overpopulation worries, the country now has the opposite concern. We examine India's unusual demographic turn, and why it is a wider warning to the world. Vegan substitutes have broadly improved in recent years—so why is there no good vegan cheese? And remembering Sonny Rollins, an absolute colossus of the saxophone. Watch extended clips from Insider here.Guests and host:Tom Sasse, South Asia bureau chiefSam Colbert, senior series producer, Economist PodcastsJon Fasman, senior culture correspondentJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: India, fertility rates, global populationvegan cheeseSonny Rollins, jazzGet a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As you probably learned if you listened to part 1 of our celebration of rice, It's one of the most important ingredients in plant-based cooking and food culture worldwide. It feeds billions, it travels continents, it carries centuries of culinary tradition and most of us at home cook it very blandly or in just one way, when there are countless ways. In this episode of More Plants, we explore how different cultures cook, celebrate, and build flavor with rice. From Jollof rice in West Africa, to risotto in Italy, biryani in South Asia, congee in East Asia, and pilaf in the Middle East, I'll share a bit more about how rice can be transformed with just a few simple changes in the way we cook it. You'll also learn: • Why rice is a foundation ingredient in so many plant-based meals • How techniques like toasting, simmering in broth, or layering ingredients create depth • How simple shifts in rice cooking can elevate everyday dishes • Tips to explore rice varieties and flavors from around the world If you want to explore new rice dishes and deepen flavors in your cooking, this episode is for you. For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here or visit brownble.com/blog

Dr. Shirley's monograph, Religion, Gender, and Politics in Medieval Sri Lanka: The Reconstruction of Buddhist Kingship, ca. 1070-1215 (ARC Humanities Press, 2026), is now available open access, thanks to the generous support of the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation. This book offers a radical reconsideration of the Poḷon-naruva period, long understood to be a turning point in the history of Theravāda Buddhism. Histories of this period have been overwhelmingly based on a series of literary accounts written long after the fact. But by drawing on textual, inscriptional, numismatic, and material evidence from within the period itself, the book reveals how the intellectual and social histories of Buddhism, politics, and gender were inextricably intertwined in Poḷon-naruva. In particular, it argues that debates over what it meant to be a “good Buddhist king” were intrinsically debates about Buddhist masculinity and about the proper relationship of gender to power. Link to purchase/download the book here. Bruno M. Shirley is a lecturer in Buddhist Studies at Heidelberg University, Germany. He completed his MA in Religious Studies at Te Herenga Waka/Victoria University of Wellington, NZ, and then PhD in Asian Literature, Religion, and Culture at Cornell University in New York, USA. Dr. Shirley is a historian of religion, gender, and politics in early second-millennium Sri Lanka and beyond. As an academic, he is interested in what it meant to understand oneself as “Buddhist” in medieval South Asia. His research explores a wider range of evidence—from royal inscriptions, to monastic disciplinary codes, to elaborate poems—in order to expose the cracks and fissures between competing visions of Buddhism. Resources referred to in the interview:  Alastair Gornall, Rewriting Buddhism: Pali Literature and Monastic Reform in Sri Lanka, 1157–1270. University College London Press, 2020. Day, Tony. “Ties That (Un)Bind: Families and States in Premodern Southeast Asia.” The Journal of Asian Studies 55, no. 2 (1996): 384–409. Gunawardana, R. A. L. H. Robe and Plough: Monasticism and Economic Interest in Early Medieval Sri Lanka. University of Arizona Press, 1979. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Dr. Shirley's monograph, Religion, Gender, and Politics in Medieval Sri Lanka: The Reconstruction of Buddhist Kingship, ca. 1070-1215 (ARC Humanities Press, 2026), is now available open access, thanks to the generous support of the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation. This book offers a radical reconsideration of the Poḷon-naruva period, long understood to be a turning point in the history of Theravāda Buddhism. Histories of this period have been overwhelmingly based on a series of literary accounts written long after the fact. But by drawing on textual, inscriptional, numismatic, and material evidence from within the period itself, the book reveals how the intellectual and social histories of Buddhism, politics, and gender were inextricably intertwined in Poḷon-naruva. In particular, it argues that debates over what it meant to be a “good Buddhist king” were intrinsically debates about Buddhist masculinity and about the proper relationship of gender to power. Link to purchase/download the book here. Bruno M. Shirley is a lecturer in Buddhist Studies at Heidelberg University, Germany. He completed his MA in Religious Studies at Te Herenga Waka/Victoria University of Wellington, NZ, and then PhD in Asian Literature, Religion, and Culture at Cornell University in New York, USA. Dr. Shirley is a historian of religion, gender, and politics in early second-millennium Sri Lanka and beyond. As an academic, he is interested in what it meant to understand oneself as “Buddhist” in medieval South Asia. His research explores a wider range of evidence—from royal inscriptions, to monastic disciplinary codes, to elaborate poems—in order to expose the cracks and fissures between competing visions of Buddhism. Resources referred to in the interview:  Alastair Gornall, Rewriting Buddhism: Pali Literature and Monastic Reform in Sri Lanka, 1157–1270. University College London Press, 2020. Day, Tony. “Ties That (Un)Bind: Families and States in Premodern Southeast Asia.” The Journal of Asian Studies 55, no. 2 (1996): 384–409. Gunawardana, R. A. L. H. Robe and Plough: Monasticism and Economic Interest in Early Medieval Sri Lanka. University of Arizona Press, 1979. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

Dr. Shirley's monograph, Religion, Gender, and Politics in Medieval Sri Lanka: The Reconstruction of Buddhist Kingship, ca. 1070-1215 (ARC Humanities Press, 2026), is now available open access, thanks to the generous support of the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation. This book offers a radical reconsideration of the Poḷon-naruva period, long understood to be a turning point in the history of Theravāda Buddhism. Histories of this period have been overwhelmingly based on a series of literary accounts written long after the fact. But by drawing on textual, inscriptional, numismatic, and material evidence from within the period itself, the book reveals how the intellectual and social histories of Buddhism, politics, and gender were inextricably intertwined in Poḷon-naruva. In particular, it argues that debates over what it meant to be a “good Buddhist king” were intrinsically debates about Buddhist masculinity and about the proper relationship of gender to power. Link to purchase/download the book here. Bruno M. Shirley is a lecturer in Buddhist Studies at Heidelberg University, Germany. He completed his MA in Religious Studies at Te Herenga Waka/Victoria University of Wellington, NZ, and then PhD in Asian Literature, Religion, and Culture at Cornell University in New York, USA. Dr. Shirley is a historian of religion, gender, and politics in early second-millennium Sri Lanka and beyond. As an academic, he is interested in what it meant to understand oneself as “Buddhist” in medieval South Asia. His research explores a wider range of evidence—from royal inscriptions, to monastic disciplinary codes, to elaborate poems—in order to expose the cracks and fissures between competing visions of Buddhism. Resources referred to in the interview:  Alastair Gornall, Rewriting Buddhism: Pali Literature and Monastic Reform in Sri Lanka, 1157–1270. University College London Press, 2020. Day, Tony. “Ties That (Un)Bind: Families and States in Premodern Southeast Asia.” The Journal of Asian Studies 55, no. 2 (1996): 384–409. Gunawardana, R. A. L. H. Robe and Plough: Monasticism and Economic Interest in Early Medieval Sri Lanka. University of Arizona Press, 1979. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/gender-studies

Dr. Shirley's monograph, Religion, Gender, and Politics in Medieval Sri Lanka: The Reconstruction of Buddhist Kingship, ca. 1070-1215 (ARC Humanities Press, 2026), is now available open access, thanks to the generous support of the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation. This book offers a radical reconsideration of the Poḷon-naruva period, long understood to be a turning point in the history of Theravāda Buddhism. Histories of this period have been overwhelmingly based on a series of literary accounts written long after the fact. But by drawing on textual, inscriptional, numismatic, and material evidence from within the period itself, the book reveals how the intellectual and social histories of Buddhism, politics, and gender were inextricably intertwined in Poḷon-naruva. In particular, it argues that debates over what it meant to be a “good Buddhist king” were intrinsically debates about Buddhist masculinity and about the proper relationship of gender to power. Link to purchase/download the book here. Bruno M. Shirley is a lecturer in Buddhist Studies at Heidelberg University, Germany. He completed his MA in Religious Studies at Te Herenga Waka/Victoria University of Wellington, NZ, and then PhD in Asian Literature, Religion, and Culture at Cornell University in New York, USA. Dr. Shirley is a historian of religion, gender, and politics in early second-millennium Sri Lanka and beyond. As an academic, he is interested in what it meant to understand oneself as “Buddhist” in medieval South Asia. His research explores a wider range of evidence—from royal inscriptions, to monastic disciplinary codes, to elaborate poems—in order to expose the cracks and fissures between competing visions of Buddhism. Resources referred to in the interview:  Alastair Gornall, Rewriting Buddhism: Pali Literature and Monastic Reform in Sri Lanka, 1157–1270. University College London Press, 2020. Day, Tony. “Ties That (Un)Bind: Families and States in Premodern Southeast Asia.” The Journal of Asian Studies 55, no. 2 (1996): 384–409. Gunawardana, R. A. L. H. Robe and Plough: Monasticism and Economic Interest in Early Medieval Sri Lanka. University of Arizona Press, 1979. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/buddhist-studies

Dr. Shirley's monograph, Religion, Gender, and Politics in Medieval Sri Lanka: The Reconstruction of Buddhist Kingship, ca. 1070-1215 (ARC Humanities Press, 2026), is now available open access, thanks to the generous support of the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation. This book offers a radical reconsideration of the Poḷon-naruva period, long understood to be a turning point in the history of Theravāda Buddhism. Histories of this period have been overwhelmingly based on a series of literary accounts written long after the fact. But by drawing on textual, inscriptional, numismatic, and material evidence from within the period itself, the book reveals how the intellectual and social histories of Buddhism, politics, and gender were inextricably intertwined in Poḷon-naruva. In particular, it argues that debates over what it meant to be a “good Buddhist king” were intrinsically debates about Buddhist masculinity and about the proper relationship of gender to power. Link to purchase/download the book here. Bruno M. Shirley is a lecturer in Buddhist Studies at Heidelberg University, Germany. He completed his MA in Religious Studies at Te Herenga Waka/Victoria University of Wellington, NZ, and then PhD in Asian Literature, Religion, and Culture at Cornell University in New York, USA. Dr. Shirley is a historian of religion, gender, and politics in early second-millennium Sri Lanka and beyond. As an academic, he is interested in what it meant to understand oneself as “Buddhist” in medieval South Asia. His research explores a wider range of evidence—from royal inscriptions, to monastic disciplinary codes, to elaborate poems—in order to expose the cracks and fissures between competing visions of Buddhism. Resources referred to in the interview:  Alastair Gornall, Rewriting Buddhism: Pali Literature and Monastic Reform in Sri Lanka, 1157–1270. University College London Press, 2020. Day, Tony. “Ties That (Un)Bind: Families and States in Premodern Southeast Asia.” The Journal of Asian Studies 55, no. 2 (1996): 384–409. Gunawardana, R. A. L. H. Robe and Plough: Monasticism and Economic Interest in Early Medieval Sri Lanka. University of Arizona Press, 1979. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/south-asian-studies

Dr. Shirley's monograph, Religion, Gender, and Politics in Medieval Sri Lanka: The Reconstruction of Buddhist Kingship, ca. 1070-1215 (ARC Humanities Press, 2026), is now available open access, thanks to the generous support of the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation. This book offers a radical reconsideration of the Poḷon-naruva period, long understood to be a turning point in the history of Theravāda Buddhism. Histories of this period have been overwhelmingly based on a series of literary accounts written long after the fact. But by drawing on textual, inscriptional, numismatic, and material evidence from within the period itself, the book reveals how the intellectual and social histories of Buddhism, politics, and gender were inextricably intertwined in Poḷon-naruva. In particular, it argues that debates over what it meant to be a “good Buddhist king” were intrinsically debates about Buddhist masculinity and about the proper relationship of gender to power. Link to purchase/download the book here. Bruno M. Shirley is a lecturer in Buddhist Studies at Heidelberg University, Germany. He completed his MA in Religious Studies at Te Herenga Waka/Victoria University of Wellington, NZ, and then PhD in Asian Literature, Religion, and Culture at Cornell University in New York, USA. Dr. Shirley is a historian of religion, gender, and politics in early second-millennium Sri Lanka and beyond. As an academic, he is interested in what it meant to understand oneself as “Buddhist” in medieval South Asia. His research explores a wider range of evidence—from royal inscriptions, to monastic disciplinary codes, to elaborate poems—in order to expose the cracks and fissures between competing visions of Buddhism. Resources referred to in the interview:  Alastair Gornall, Rewriting Buddhism: Pali Literature and Monastic Reform in Sri Lanka, 1157–1270. University College London Press, 2020. Day, Tony. “Ties That (Un)Bind: Families and States in Premodern Southeast Asia.” The Journal of Asian Studies 55, no. 2 (1996): 384–409. Gunawardana, R. A. L. H. Robe and Plough: Monasticism and Economic Interest in Early Medieval Sri Lanka. University of Arizona Press, 1979. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/religion

Dr. Shirley's monograph, Religion, Gender, and Politics in Medieval Sri Lanka: The Reconstruction of Buddhist Kingship, ca. 1070-1215 (ARC Humanities Press, 2026), is now available open access, thanks to the generous support of the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation. This book offers a radical reconsideration of the Poḷon-naruva period, long understood to be a turning point in the history of Theravāda Buddhism. Histories of this period have been overwhelmingly based on a series of literary accounts written long after the fact. But by drawing on textual, inscriptional, numismatic, and material evidence from within the period itself, the book reveals how the intellectual and social histories of Buddhism, politics, and gender were inextricably intertwined in Poḷon-naruva. In particular, it argues that debates over what it meant to be a “good Buddhist king” were intrinsically debates about Buddhist masculinity and about the proper relationship of gender to power. Link to purchase/download the book here. Bruno M. Shirley is a lecturer in Buddhist Studies at Heidelberg University, Germany. He completed his MA in Religious Studies at Te Herenga Waka/Victoria University of Wellington, NZ, and then PhD in Asian Literature, Religion, and Culture at Cornell University in New York, USA. Dr. Shirley is a historian of religion, gender, and politics in early second-millennium Sri Lanka and beyond. As an academic, he is interested in what it meant to understand oneself as “Buddhist” in medieval South Asia. His research explores a wider range of evidence—from royal inscriptions, to monastic disciplinary codes, to elaborate poems—in order to expose the cracks and fissures between competing visions of Buddhism. Resources referred to in the interview:  Alastair Gornall, Rewriting Buddhism: Pali Literature and Monastic Reform in Sri Lanka, 1157–1270. University College London Press, 2020. Day, Tony. “Ties That (Un)Bind: Families and States in Premodern Southeast Asia.” The Journal of Asian Studies 55, no. 2 (1996): 384–409. Gunawardana, R. A. L. H. Robe and Plough: Monasticism and Economic Interest in Early Medieval Sri Lanka. University of Arizona Press, 1979. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Historian Sarah Pearsall joins co-hosts Jennifer Maritza McCauley and Whitney Terrell to discuss her new book, Freedom Round the Globe: a World History of the American Revolution. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Pearsall talks about how she chose to write about the global context of the American Revolution. She explains how the hanging of an indigenous woman in Detroit, ordered by British colonizers of the area, led to protests that prefigured the American Revolution. She outlines how tax protests in St. Kitts and the East India Company's actions in South Asia influenced the thinking of revolutionary leaders in the thirteen colonies. She also discusses the role that war crimes played in the public relations battle of the war and reads a passage from Freedom Round the Globe.To hear the full episode, subscribe through iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app (include the forward slashes when searching). You can also listen by streaming from the player below. Check out video versions of our interviews on the Fiction/Non/Fiction Instagram account, the Fiction/Non/Fiction YouTube Channel, and our show website: https://www.fnfpodcast.net/This podcast is produced by Jennifer Maritza McCauley and Whitney Terrell.Sarah PearsallFreedom Round the Globe: a World History of the American RevolutionOthersThe Declaration of Independence“What we know about the UFC fight at the White House”|CNN, June 1, 2026“These 6 Acts Dropped Out of the Freedom 250 Concert. Here's Why”|People, June 3, 2026See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Technology isn't magic. But sometimes dropping your spoon in a bowl of soup during a pandemic leads you somewhere extraordinary.In this episode of HappyPorch Radio, Barry O'Kane speaks with Thierry Sanders, founder of Kolekt, a platform connecting waste collectors, buy-back centres, and recyclers across the Global South. Thierry's background spans fintech, microfinance, and living in developing countries from Ecuador to Pakistan to Indonesia, and Kolekt grew directly out of two weeks spent riding around Bali on a motorbike with informal waste collectors, learning how their world actually works.What makes Kolekt's story unusual is the order of operations. Thierry didn't arrive with a product looking for a market. He started with cigarettes, lunch, and genuine curiosity, and the technology followed the problems he discovered: collectors wasting half their time searching for materials that weren't there, workers without phones or bank accounts locked out of digital systems, and facial recognition tools that didn't work for the people who needed them most.The conversation is direct about the harder edges of this work: the fossil fuel industry flooding markets with cheap virgin plastic, governments demanding surveillance data on immigrant workers, and the gap between EPR policy and what actually reaches the people doing the collecting.✨ In this episode:Thierry tells the origin story of Kolekt, from a pandemic soup bowl in Jakarta to 14,000+ waste collector profiles across six countriesWe explore the practical technology challenges of serving users who have no phone, no bank account, and no reliable connectivityThierry explains how Kolekt discovered and worked around racist bias in open-source facial recognitionBarry and Thierry discuss the economics of informal waste collection and why recycled materials cost more than virgin plasticThierry shares his work advising South Asian governments on EPR legislation and the $100 billion opportunity it representsWe hear how Kolekt chose to lose contracts rather than hand over user data to governments targeting immigrant collectors

Today we had the pleasure of hosting Steven Kobos, President and CEO of Excelerate Energy. Steven has served as President and CEO since 2018 and previously spent 11 years as a member of the company's Board of Directors and corporate counsel. Throughout his career, he has worked across global energy markets, including Kuwait, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Argentina, Brazil, Finland, Germany, and the Middle East. Excelerate is a global leader in flexible LNG infrastructure solutions, focused on expanding access to reliable, affordable, and secure natural gas. The company operates one of the world's largest fleets of Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRUs) and provides integrated LNG solutions spanning the entire value chain. We were thrilled to hear Steven's perspective on the evolving and increasingly complex global energy landscape. In our conversation, we explore the evolution of the global LNG market, the impact of U.S. shale on Excelerate's business model, and why the company has increasingly focused on integrated LNG and infrastructure solutions rather than simply providing floating regasification assets. We discuss the growing importance of energy security following recent geopolitical disruptions, including tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and Steven's recent visit to the region, and the role LNG continues to play in supporting power generation, industrial growth, and economic development around the world. Steven walks us through Excelerate's newest FSRU, the Acadia, the company's expanding opportunities in Iraq, and how LNG imports are helping address power shortages and energy deficits across emerging markets. We discuss the future growth of global LNG demand, the increasing shift toward long-term supply contracts, the advantages of floating infrastructure versus traditional onshore facilities, and Excelerate's strategy of combining LNG supply with downstream infrastructure to open new markets. We also cover Argentina's Vaca Muerta opportunity, Brazil's hydro-backed power system, Finland's experience with energy security following disruptions to regional gas infrastructure, the growing role of U.S. LNG exports, and the support provided by the Trump Administration to promote American energy abroad. Steven shares several personal anecdotes, including helping launch LNG imports into Kuwait, opening new LNG markets across South Asia, visiting customers throughout the Gulf during the recent conflict, and witnessing firsthand how access to reliable energy can transform communities and economies. We covered a great deal and appreciate Steven for sharing his time and insights. Mike Bradley started the show by noting that markets continue to be driven almost entirely by on-and-off developments in the Middle East. Market sentiment last week was dominated by optimism that Iran and the U.S. were moving toward a Strait of Hormuz resolution, but this week has started with growing concern that a resolution may not be just around the corner. On the bond market front, the 10-year bond yield was trading at ~4.5% (up 6-7bps), driven by an Iranian resolution being pushed further to the right and constructive economic data. He noted that the May ISM Manufacturing report showed that U.S. manufacturing expanded at its fastest pace in four years. On the crude oil market front, WTI prices spiked ~$6/bbl (to $93/bbl) on concerns that an Iranian resolution could be delayed. The Strait of Hormuz needs to reopen quickly or risk global oil prices moving substantially higher, as oil markets enter the higher-demand summer months with critically low inventory levels. From an energy equity perspective, the Energy sector was up ~2% so far this week after a 5% pullback last week. On the broader equity market front, markets were modestly weaker as investors appeared unprepared for the prospect of an Iranian resolution being pushed further into the future. He ended by highlighting two IPOs scheduled to price over the next two weeks. Equity investors are most excited about the SpaceX IPO (expected to price next week at a ~$2T valuation). He also highlighted INNIO Holdings, a gas power system manufacturer that is expected to price later this week (raising ~$2B at a ~$20B valuation), which should provide a good read on how bullish sentiment remains across the engine manufacturing and distributed generation segments. Mark Castiglione added his questions and perspective to the discussion as well. 

The World Meteorological Organization says the current El Nino is set to strengthen, bringing above-average global temperatures and raising drought risks in South Asia, the Horn of Africa, and Central America.

Negotiations for an end to the war in Iran took a baffling turn last Monday when U.S. President Donlad Trump declared via social media that he would be willing to end the war in exchange for a number of countries in the Middle East and South Asia joining the Abraham Accords.The Accords are a series of diplomatic agreements that normalized relations between Israel and some Arab states. They were originally touted as a Trump foreign policy victory, and a step towards a more peaceful Middle East. But six years on, the region has descended into widescale war.Today we're speaking with Matt Duss. He is the Executive Vice President at the Center for International Policy. He was also a foreign policy advisor to Bernie Sanders from 2017-2022. He's co-written a piece for Foreign Policy that argues that the Abraham Accords laid the groundwork for this new era of violence in the Middle East.For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts

This week on Democracy Dialogues, Maya Tudor speaks with two keen observers of Indian politics, Gilles Verniers and Yamini Aiyar, about what India's 2026 state elections reveal about the future of the world's largest democracy. Why did the incumbent government BJP make major gains in some states while struggling in others? Do competitive elections still mean democracy is entirely healthy? And why have places like Tamil Nadu and Kerala remained resistant to Hindu nationalist politics? This episode analyses one of the most important democratic stories in the world right now — and asks what state elections might tell us about India's democracy more broadly. Gilles Verniers, Centre for South Asia at Stanford University. Gilles Verniers' work on Indian politics and elections hereYamini Aiyar, Visiting Professor of the Practice at the Watson School of International and Public Affairs, Brown University. Yamini Aiyar's recent writing on democracy and electoral administration in India here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

This week on Democracy Dialogues, Maya Tudor speaks with two keen observers of Indian politics, Gilles Verniers and Yamini Aiyar, about what India's 2026 state elections reveal about the future of the world's largest democracy. Why did the incumbent government BJP make major gains in some states while struggling in others? Do competitive elections still mean democracy is entirely healthy? And why have places like Tamil Nadu and Kerala remained resistant to Hindu nationalist politics? This episode analyses one of the most important democratic stories in the world right now — and asks what state elections might tell us about India's democracy more broadly. Gilles Verniers, Centre for South Asia at Stanford University. Gilles Verniers' work on Indian politics and elections hereYamini Aiyar, Visiting Professor of the Practice at the Watson School of International and Public Affairs, Brown University. Yamini Aiyar's recent writing on democracy and electoral administration in India here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science

This week on Democracy Dialogues, Maya Tudor speaks with two keen observers of Indian politics, Gilles Verniers and Yamini Aiyar, about what India's 2026 state elections reveal about the future of the world's largest democracy. Why did the incumbent government BJP make major gains in some states while struggling in others? Do competitive elections still mean democracy is entirely healthy? And why have places like Tamil Nadu and Kerala remained resistant to Hindu nationalist politics? This episode analyses one of the most important democratic stories in the world right now — and asks what state elections might tell us about India's democracy more broadly. Gilles Verniers, Centre for South Asia at Stanford University. Gilles Verniers' work on Indian politics and elections hereYamini Aiyar, Visiting Professor of the Practice at the Watson School of International and Public Affairs, Brown University. Yamini Aiyar's recent writing on democracy and electoral administration in India here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/world-affairs

This week on Democracy Dialogues, Maya Tudor speaks with two keen observers of Indian politics, Gilles Verniers and Yamini Aiyar, about what India's 2026 state elections reveal about the future of the world's largest democracy. Why did the incumbent government BJP make major gains in some states while struggling in others? Do competitive elections still mean democracy is entirely healthy? And why have places like Tamil Nadu and Kerala remained resistant to Hindu nationalist politics? This episode analyses one of the most important democratic stories in the world right now — and asks what state elections might tell us about India's democracy more broadly. Gilles Verniers, Centre for South Asia at Stanford University. Gilles Verniers' work on Indian politics and elections hereYamini Aiyar, Visiting Professor of the Practice at the Watson School of International and Public Affairs, Brown University. Yamini Aiyar's recent writing on democracy and electoral administration in India here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/south-asian-studies

Were the Shi'as of colonial India at the periphery of the Shi'i religious universe, or did they develop an autonomous identity of their own? What were their hopes and fears about the creation of Pakistan?In this episode of Thinking Islam, we explore the themes of Professor Justin Jones's landmark book Shi'a Islam in Colonial India. The conversation begins by challenging the assumption that Iran and the shrine cities of Iraq form the sole heartland of Shi'ism, and traces the indigenous character of Indian Shi'ism after the fall of Awadh in 1856. We discuss the rise of madrasas, the different categories of ulama and Indian mujtahids who provided autonomous leadership without always looking westward, the consolidation of the Shi'a as a distinct qaum rather than a firqa, and the question of political quietism in their relationship with the British Raj. The discussion then turns to the Pakistan Movement, where Shi'a presence in the Muslim League sat uneasily alongside the deep apprehension that Pakistan would become a "Sunnistan," and the striking alliance between Indian Shi'as and Ambedkar's untouchable movement, where Imam Husain emerged as a universal model for social justice and the struggle against oppression.Professor Justin Jones is a historian of Islam in modern South Asia at the University of Oxford. His research focuses on religious revitalisation, the remaking of religious authority, and the social history of Muslim communities in the subcontinent. His work on Shi'i Islam has opened scholarly conversations on Shi'i religious thought, community formation, and politics from the fall of Awadh to independence in north India.Audio Chapters:0:00 – Highlights01:52 – Why Shi'a Islam in South Asia06:31 – Indian Shi'as in the Shi'i Religious Universe14:00 – Relation with Najaf and Qom25:00 – Role of Ulama and Mujtahids41:27 – Shi'as as a Separate Qaum55:10 – Shi'as and the Pakistan Movement1:03:30 – Imam Husain, Untouchables, & Freedom1:13:43 – Ghulats, Usulis, & Akhbaris in India1:22:00 – Decline of Shi'ism in India?1:32:11 – Thinking Islam Question

After the latest round of state elections, India's political landscape looks more lopsided than at any time in the post-2014 era. The BJP claimed big wins in West Bengal and Assam—continuing its march across eastern India and solidifying its status as a hegemonic party. But politics at home is only part of the story.  Overseas, India is facing a turbulent moment—from the Iran war and Pakistan's diplomatic resurgence to Trump 2.0's approach to China and the uncertain future of the Quad.  To talk about the BJP's dominance, the opposition's crisis, and India's positioning in a rapidly shifting world, Milan is joined this week by Grand Tamasha regulars, Sadanand Dhume and Tanvi Madan.  Sadanand is a senior fellow for India, Pakistan, and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations. He is also a regular columnist for the Wall Street Journal.  Tanvi Madan is a senior fellow in the Center for Asia Policy Studies in the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institution. The trio discuss whether India is becoming a “one-party state,” the current state of the opposition, and the headwinds facing the Indian economy. Plus, the three discuss Pakistan's diplomatic moment, Trump's recent China trip, and Marco Rubio's visit to India. Episode notes: Sadanand Dhume, “Why Would Anyone Trust Pakistan to Mediate With Iran?” Wall Street Journal, May 20, 2026. Sadanand Dhume, “India's Ruling Party Beats the Odds,” Wall Street Journal, May 6, 2026. Sadanand Dhume, “Pakistan Has Put Itself Back on the Diplomatic Map,” Wall Street Journal, April 8, 2026.  [Audio] “Flash Episode: India's 2026 Elections Explained (with Yamini Aiyar and Neelanjan Sircar),” Grand Tamasha, May 8, 2026.  Tanvi Madan, “India's China Strategy in an Uncertain Strategic Environment,” in Milan Vaishnav, ed., India and a Changing Global Order: Foreign Policy in the Trump 2.0 Era (Washington, D.C.: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 2026)  [Video] “Udit Misra Explains | Forex Fears? What PM Modi's Big Appeal Actually Says About India's Economy,” Indian Express, May 12, 2026.  “From UP to Karnataka: Six Routes Around the 1991 Places of Worship Act,” The Wire, May 17, 2026.  

Check out BeerBiceps SkillHouse Courses Here - https://www.bbskillhouse.comFor all BeerBiceps vlog content Watch Life Of BeerBiceps - https://www.youtube.com/@LifeOfBeerBicepsCheck out my Mind Performance app: Level SuperMindLink:- https://level4665.u9ilnk.me/d/F1ZOZV4OnTShare your guest suggestions hereMail - connect@beerbiceps.comLink - https://forms.gle/aoMHY9EE3Cg3Tqdx9Join the Level Community Here:https://linktr.ee/levelsupermindcommunityFollow BeerBiceps SkillHouse's Social Media Handles:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeerBicepsSkillHouseInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/beerbiceps_skillhouseWebsite : https://beerbicepsskillhouse.inFor any other queries EMAIL: support@beerbicepsskillhouse.comIn case of any payment-related issues, kindly write to support@tagmango.comFollow Dr. Niraj Rai's Social Media Handles:-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nirajbiotechgju X: https://www.instagram.com/nirajbiotechgjuIn this special episode 506th of The Ranveer Show, we are joined by Dr. Niraj Rai, a leading scientist in genetics, who shares deep insights on DNA, Human Evolution, Indian Ancestry, and Health. This episode takes you into the mysteries of our genetic code, the history of Indian populations, and how our environment shapes our biology.In this conversation with Dr. Niraj Rai, we talk about the 98% Mystery DNA, the impact of inbreeding in Indian communities, the "Heart Attack Gene" specific to South Asia, and the future of CRISPR technology. We also understand how genetics can reveal our true history, from the Indus Valley Civilization to the migrations that shaped modern India.This episode also covers the Gut Microbiome, the science behind the Gotra system, the evolutionary role of proteins, and how stress and happiness affect our genetic expression. We explore the differences between ancient and modern humans and the possibility of superhuman traits hidden within us.(00:00) – Start of the episode(01:59) – Dr. Niraj Rai Returns to TRS(02:55) – The Infinite Mystery of Human DNA(05:15) – Secret of the "Warrior Clan" Proteins(08:27) – Are we 99.9% the same?(11:49) – Why Chimpanzees are 6x Stronger than Humans(14:08) – AI & the Future of Genetic Engineering(16:52) – Epigenetics: How Mood changes your Biology(19:39) – Is the Indian Genetic Code deteriorating?(21:47) – Biohacking with Stem Cells & CRISPR(25:46) – The Harsh Truth about Caste-based Inbreeding(28:30) – Why Indians are prone to Heart Attacks(32:33) – Natural Selection & Virus Outbreaks(35:52) – What did Ancient Indians really eat?(42:54) – Is Autism the next stage of Human Evolution?(47:27) – Why Humans are losing Physical Strength(51:13) – The Genetic selection for Fair Skin in India(55:26) – CRISPR: Technology to create Super-Humans(1:07:27) – Why Punjabis have "Milk-Digesting" Genes(1:11:28) – Ancient Invasions & Genetic Mixing(1:18:33) – Scientific Logic behind the Gotra System(1:22:32) – Roman & Persian DNA in South India(1:26:14) – Criminal Genes & Inherited Trauma(1:28:37) – Hypoxia Therapy for Depression(1:34:25) – End of the episode

Recorded live at the Morgan Stanley and MUFG Japan Summit, our Global Chief Economist and Head of Macro Research Seth Carpenter led a discussion on Asia's exposure to the energy shock and Japan's bullish outlook.Read more insights from Morgan Stanley.----- Transcript -----Seth Carpenter: Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I'm Seth Carpenter, Morgan Stanley's Global Chief Economist and Head of Macro Research. And on today's episode, we're bringing you a live taping direct from Morgan Stanley and MUFG's Japan Summit to discuss the macroeconomic overlook. And, in particular, Japan's moment: reflation, reform, and the case for a structural re-rating. I am joined by Chetan Ahya, our Chief Asia Economist; Takeshi Yamaguchi, our Chief Japan Economist; Jonathan Garner, our Chief Asia and EM Equity Strategist; Koichi Sugisaki, who is our Head of Japan Macro Strategy; and Sho Nakazawa, who is our Japan Equity Strategist. Seth Carpenter: I will say we have just collectively published our mid-year outlook. So twice a year, Morgan Stanley Macro Research puts together our forecast. We take the time to debate with each other, to pressure test our views on the outlook for the next year and a half to two years. And I have to say this version of the outlook process may have been the most difficult one that I can remember. And in no small part because one of the key fundamental drivers of the outlook globally for growth, for inflation is oil, oil prices. And the swings there have been pretty dramatic. And so, as a result, we put a lot of effort into not just our baseline forecast, but also scenarios and the ways in which our baseline forecast could be wrong. But Chetan, let me start with you. Tell us a little bit about the exposure in Asia to, to the energy shock. Chetan Ahya: So Seth, you're right. Asia is one of the more exposed part of the world. But I would say that we've been surprised in the way this energy shock has been managed. One is, of course, at the global level, two big swings happened. US exports increased dramatically by 3.8 million barrels per day. Just to give you perspective, global consumption of oil is about 100 million barrels, so it's simple math in terms of how big this number was. And then China parallelly also reduced its imports by 3.5 million barrels. So, we had a 7 million barrel swing from a global oil demand balance perspective.And, secondly, as far as gas is concerned, that is where actually we were more concerned about Asia because Asia was very dependent on Middle Eastern gas. And on that front, China single-handedly has bailed out the region. So, China cut its gas imports by about 45 percent, and that had at least avoided the shortages that we were worried about. We can manage oil prices, but shortages is something very difficult to manage. So that's at the global level. And within the region, what every economy did is to switch to an alternative source of fuel, whether it is electricity generated through coal or other renewable sources. And particularly that happened in China and India, which are the two big importers of fuel in the region.And then additionally, what we also saw is that everybody managed the fuel price increase quite well. So, on an average, if I look at the stats as of today, only about 25 to 30 percent of the underlying fuel price increase has been passed on to the consumer. So, the governments are taking it, so there is a burden on the fiscal front that is building up. But as far as the consumers are concerned, this has been a help, and therefore you have not seen a big spike in inflation across the region. Seth Carpenter: Okay. So, a lot of comments about Asia in general. Let's go more specific to here in Japan. And so, Yamaguchi-san, you were an early adopter of the Japan reflation view. If we go back a year, two years, three years, you were probably more optimistic, more bullish about growth in the market than consensus. More recently, you've been a little bit more cautious about where growth is going. And so, can you tell us a little bit first why you're a bit more cautious now relative to where I suspect the market is? And then when it comes to the energy shock, how do you see it playing out with the Japanese economy? And should we worry about it derailing this whole reflation trade? Takeshi Yamaguchi: We think Japanese underlying economic fundamentals remain resilient in the sense that, you know, nominal GDP recovery will continue as a trend. But for this year, I think there's a, you know, short-term slowdown, both in terms of real GDP growth and nominal GDP growth, due to the terms of a trade shock. So far, you know, thanks to the government energy subsidies and Japan's relatively large strategic oil reserves, the direct impact on households has been limited. But we are already seeing a big increase in producer prices in the April data. It jumped to 4.9 percent {year-over-year], and we expect this producer price index will continue to go up due to the higher oil prices, but also because of the NAFTA-related supply side, you know, disruptions in areas, you know, such as, you know, construction materials, plastic products, and industrial solvents and so on. That said, we still believe that, you know, underlying economic fundamentals remain resilient in the sense that there's a structural labor shortage. So, wage growth may somewhat slow, but still I think a solid, you know, base up increase will continue next year, especially among young workers. Also, I think this structural tight labor market [is] encouraging companies to step up labor-saving investment. And, I think, together with government's initiatives for domestic investment, I think, domestic CapEx will also likely remain resilient. So, this year for nominal GDP growth, we expect, you know, slightly negative growth due to the terms of trade loss. But the next year, we are expecting above 4 percent nominal GDP growth. So, the overall, you know, story remains unchanged despite the short-term headwinds. Seth Carpenter: Okay. So fundamental story remains unchanged. We're pretty optimistic, but it's a matter of long term versus short term Jonathan, let me turn to you. Equity markets are generally optimistic, I would say, these days, but there is a bit of a divergence between views on equities here in Asia, between Japan on the one hand, and EM overall. In the mid-year outlook, you have expressed a preference for Japanese equities over EM. Can you talk a little bit about that view? Why that preference? Are there sectors or specific stocks that matter more? How are you thinking about this sort of allocation across equity markets for you in Asia? Jonathan Garner: So, certainly, as Seth indicated and Chetan and Yamaguchi-san said, it's really an environment where the sector call, particularly the CapEx, super cycle call should drive portfolios. And that naturally leads you in Asia more to North Asia, where Japan is very richly endowed in beneficiaries of the CapEx super cycle. And obviously markets like Korea and Taiwan, and much less so to South Asia, where the larger markets are much more populated by consumer and services stocks. So, in our portfolio, we're essentially overweight capital spending, underweight the consumer. And when you look at the Japan market, one of the things that my colleague Daniel Blake has done a lot of work is, is the sort of thematic exposures that exist within our coverage. The four core Morgan Stanley research themes of multipolar world, AI, tech diffusion, future of energy and societal shifts, they map into about 75 percent by stock number of our coverage for the Japan market, and they're quite nicely distributed across the stock coverage. Obviously, some stocks have more than one aspect to them. And that is highly advantageous and much more advantageous than in fact any other large market. Europe of course, doesn't have AI, tech diffusion, or it largely lacks the beneficiaries, the upstream beneficiaries. The US has legacy, sort of, software service, business models and consumer exposure. Now, it's not to say that all is sort of rosy in the garden. There are large auto OEMs here in Japan where the earnings numbers are challenged. So, it's all about the kind of the dispersion that's going on within the portfolio. But just on the base case targets, 4300 for topics, that's set by Nakazawa-san and myself. It's about 12 percent upside in the base. In the two weeks since we published the report, EM has fallen back somewhat, so there's about 8 percent upside to our EM target. But on a kind of risk-adjusted bull-bear skew, bear in mind that EM is much more skewed in terms of the earnings drivers of that market. Essentially, if you strip Korea and Taiwan out, there's no earnings growth in EM right now. You would ultimately have to favor Japan. So, Japan should be at the core of any Asia portfolio at the moment. Seth Carpenter: And can you just give us a little insight as to what you're seeing about how the market is or maybe is not pricing the threat from the energy shock? What are you seeing in equity markets, top line, down into sectors? Do you think there's enough concern? Do you think there's room for that to get, sort of, rerated just on the energy shock situation? Jonathan Garner: So, what you're seeing is that anything that is consumer-related is really struggling in terms of revisions. I think there are six different subcomponents of the consumer that we can track. Every single one of them has downgrades. And the upgrades are in energy, upstream energy, which isn't that well represented in Japan. There are a couple of names. In materials, really across the board. In semis and IT across the board, and broadly, tech hardware. And then in the defense capital goods space. And that dispersion in revisions within the Japan market or within Asia as a whole is something that I've never seen before.It does maybe to some extent question the resilience of the consumer in terms of the way that the numbers are being downgraded. So, I'll just leave that hanging a little bit. Seth Carpenter: Alright, thank you very much to my colleagues. And this is where I have to shift back into podcast mode to say thank you for listening. And if you enjoy Thoughts on the Market, please share it with a colleague or friend today. Thank you very much everybody. Voice: That was Part 1 of a special two-part episode from Morgan Stanley and MUFG's Japan Summit. Join us tomorrow for Part 2 of the conversation.

On this week's episode of the podcast, Jason Brownlee of University of Austin-Texas joins Marc Lynch to discuss his new book, Force Without Authority: America's Wars in the Middle East and South Asia. The book explores why the United States' costliest military operations since Vietnam came up short and pushed Republican and Democratic leaders toward withdrawal and retrenchment. The book delivers a bracing audit of America's unipolar moment and a compelling case for statecraft over bluster. Music for this season's podcast was created by Feras Arrabi. You can find more of his work on his website Music and Sound at www.ferasarrabi.com. POMEPS, directed by Marc Lynch, is based at the Institute for Middle East Studies at the George Washington University and is supported by Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Episode Title: Pakistan's Record-Breaking Heatwave: A Deep Dive Timestamp Breakdown:00:00 - 01:06: Introduction to the extreme heat in Pakistan, focus on Mehar Taluka, and forecast for 115°F, potentially breaking records.01:07 - 02:08: Meteorological factors contributing to the heat: heat dome, Loo wind, clear skies, and dew point impact on perceived temperature.02:09 - 03:09: Detailed daily forecast for Mehar Taluka (Wednesday-Thursday), including temperature drops and rising humidity.03:10 - 05:13: Friday and Saturday (Shabbos) forecast, highlighting extreme morning temperatures and heat index, with temperatures peaking at 118°F.05:14 - 06:15: Sunday forecast with evening thunderstorms, skyrocketing dew points (Gulf Coast humidity), and the start of a "wild" week.06:16 - 08:19: Focus on the major heatwave: AccuWeather vs. European model forecasts for May 27th-June 1st, with temperatures reaching 127°F and high heat indices.08:20 - 11:49: Comparison of different computer models (GFS, European, Icon, Media Blue) for daily high temperatures in Mehar Taluka through early June, emphasizing consistency.11:50 - 13:00: Population of Mehar Taluka (520,559 residents) living in the extreme heat, and a brief mention of another hot region: United Arab Emirates.13:01 - 15:01: Detailed forecast for Abu Dhabi, UAE, highlighting heat indices reaching 100-105°F due to combined heat and humidity.15:02 - 17:08: Continued forecast for Abu Dhabi, focusing on late morning heat index spikes and the impact of drier air in other UAE cities with 100+ temperatures.17:09 - 18:00: Brief mention of record heat on the East Coast (US) and reiteration of Pakistan's impending record heat, potentially matching or breaking the all-time high.18:01 - 18:59: Final thoughts on pre-monsoon winds, the importance of safety during extreme heat, and the emergency nature of heat illness.20 Hashtags: #PakistanHeatwave #RecordBreakingHeat #ExtremeWeather #ClimateChange #MeharTaluka #WeatherForecast #HeatDome #LooWind #Humidity #HeatIndex #WeatherEnthusiast #Meteorology #GlobalWarming #Pakistan #AbuDhabi #UAEWeather #HeatStrokeWarning #StaySafe #WeatherUpdate #SouthAsiaBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weather-with-enthusiasm--4911017/support.

Desi Academia Podcast and BhaJaPod team up for a look at the desi centric online magazine Juggernaut and their recent controversies. They also discuss the LifeofPuja creator Pujarini Pradhan and the discourse around her being an ‘industry plant'. Megh from the Desi Academia Podcast, Amrutha and Richa are joined by the effervescent Dr. Sumaira Nawaz who brings her perspective from teaching young adults into the discussion.Tune in to listen to discussions about desi Kamala Harris discourse, Shilajit's potential use by mountain goats, why people insist on using the word ‘decolonize', authentic Nihari recipes and more.The Desi Academia Podcast is available on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2v6ymNb9uoxMc9gaCKJYLp?si=LirKa0bgTEyozX0mMzWtMwThe Desi Academia Podcast featuring Dr. Sumaira Nawaz @NaTurkNaHindu, S9E4: What is Islamic Studies? Wrong answers only, with Manan and Sumaira is available on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/0p888RBXikbjbCTIGbgwgK?si=MS2wmbT_QDuzW3qmUgBlvQ

Every year, Kai Rotorua's kumara harvest attracts a group of volunteers keen to connect with sustainable practices and te ao Maori. This year, the harvest circle widened even further, with students from across South Asia joining the mahi on a spring day. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

South Asian Animal Divination: A Critical Anthology (Brill, 2025) examines the history and practice of animal omen divination in South Asia, comparing it to similar traditions in Mesopotamia and classical antiquity. It provides critical editions and translations of relevant texts, focusing on the interpretation of bird calls and behaviour. The study incorporates ornithological and natural historical information to enhance the understanding of the omens and their regional origins. Furthermore, it explores the evolution of omen literature and the transmission of knowledge across cultures and time periods, highlighting the enduring significance of sound and direction in divination practices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

South Asian Animal Divination: A Critical Anthology (Brill, 2025) examines the history and practice of animal omen divination in South Asia, comparing it to similar traditions in Mesopotamia and classical antiquity. It provides critical editions and translations of relevant texts, focusing on the interpretation of bird calls and behaviour. The study incorporates ornithological and natural historical information to enhance the understanding of the omens and their regional origins. Furthermore, it explores the evolution of omen literature and the transmission of knowledge across cultures and time periods, highlighting the enduring significance of sound and direction in divination practices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/south-asian-studies

South Asian Animal Divination: A Critical Anthology (Brill, 2025) examines the history and practice of animal omen divination in South Asia, comparing it to similar traditions in Mesopotamia and classical antiquity. It provides critical editions and translations of relevant texts, focusing on the interpretation of bird calls and behaviour. The study incorporates ornithological and natural historical information to enhance the understanding of the omens and their regional origins. Furthermore, it explores the evolution of omen literature and the transmission of knowledge across cultures and time periods, highlighting the enduring significance of sound and direction in divination practices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/indian-religions

South Asian Animal Divination: A Critical Anthology (Brill, 2025) examines the history and practice of animal omen divination in South Asia, comparing it to similar traditions in Mesopotamia and classical antiquity. It provides critical editions and translations of relevant texts, focusing on the interpretation of bird calls and behaviour. The study incorporates ornithological and natural historical information to enhance the understanding of the omens and their regional origins. Furthermore, it explores the evolution of omen literature and the transmission of knowledge across cultures and time periods, highlighting the enduring significance of sound and direction in divination practices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/religion

For more than a decade, India has steadily deepened its ties with the Gulf while trying to balance competing interests across the region. But today, that strategy is under strain—thanks to the Iran conflict, shifting regional alignments, a reemerging Pakistan.  How is India being impacted by the Iran crisis? And what do these geopolitical shifts mean for India's West Asia policy?  To discuss these and other questions, Milan is joined on the show this week by Kabir Taneja. Kabir is the Executive Director of the Observer Research Foundation's Middle East office. He has worked extensively on India's relations with the Middle East, examining domestic political dynamics, terrorism, non-state militant actors, and the region's evolving security architecture. He is also the author of The ISIS Peril: The World's Most Feared Terror Group and Its Shadow on South Asia. Milan and Kabir discuss India's emerging political and strategic relationships in the Gulf, the risks the country faces from the Iran conflict, and the potential for India to play a larger regional security role in the Middle East. Plus, the two discuss Pakistan's frenetic diplomatic maneuvering and the state of Afghanistan-India ties. Episode notes: Kabir Taneja, “Pak Is Finally Back In Middle East's 'Good Books'. But Can It Stay There?” NDTV, April 30, 2026. Kabir Taneja, “How Air Power will Reshape Geopolitics in the Gulf,” ORF Middle East, April 17, 2026. Kabir Taneja, “A West Asia security rethink amid America's role,” Hindu, April 2, 2026. Kabir Taneja, “Reading the tea leaves in the conflict in West Asia,” Hindustan Times, March 10, 2026. Kabir Taneja, “Navigating Strategic Autonomy: India and the Middle East in a Multipolar World,” February 9, 2026. Nicolas Blarel, “India Navigates a Divided Middle East,” in Milan Vaishnav, ed. India and a Changing Global Order: Foreign Policy in the Trump 2.0 Era (Washington, D.C.: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 2026). Kabir Taneja, “Between New Delhi & Kabul, a fine balance,” Hindustan Times, October 13, 2025.

Pakistan routinely astonishes visitors with the gap between reputation and reality. The north alone – a staggering wall of peaks including five of the world's fourteen eight-thousanders – would justify the trip. But there is so much more: the ancient ruins of Mohenjo-daro, the Mughal splendour of Lahore, the frontier energy of Peshawar, and hospitality so generous it will bloe you away. This is South Asia at its most seductive and surprising.Love the pod? Get the guide! Out with each new podcast, we publish a guide to the country. Buy the TrodPod guide to Pakistan for just $3: https://www.patreon.com/c/trodpod/shop. Better yet, become a TrodPod member for just $5 a month and access TrodPod guides to every country in the world, released weekly with each new podcast episode! Sign up now: https://www.patreon.com/trodpod/membershipThanks for all your support!TrodPod is Murray Garrard and Elle Keymer. Sound editing by Leo Audio Productions. Design and marketing by GPS: Garrard Powell Solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this in-depth podcast, Associate Professor Karna Bahadur Thapa discusses the Nepal India border dispute, including the controversial regions of Kalapani, Lipulekh Pass, and Limpiyadhura. The conversation begins with India and China resuming the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through Lipulekh and explores the geopolitical implications for Nepal. Prof. Karna Bahadur Thapa explains why Nepal never took the border issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), how Nepal may be losing diplomatic and strategic influence internationally, and the growing role of China in Nepal-India border politics. The podcast also dives into Nepal's foreign policy challenges, national security concerns, and whether the United Nations truly has the power to resolve global conflicts. The discussion further examines whether Nepal should continue aggressively fighting for border claims or instead focus on long-term diplomatic, economic, and strategic solutions. If you are interested in Nepal geopolitics, India Nepal relations, China's influence in South Asia, international diplomacy, and border security, this episode offers valuable insight and expert analysis. GET CONNECTED WITH Karna Bahadur Thapa: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/advkarna.thapa  

Mangoes are one of the most beloved tropical fruits on Earth. They're sweet, fragrant, versatile, and rich in history. In this episode of More Plants, we explore the story of mangoes from their origins in South Asia to the bountiful trees of Venezuela, and how this iconic fruit has shaped global cuisines. In today's episode you'll hear: • The fascinating history of mango — from ancient cultivation in India to the Americas and beyond • How mangoes are used in dishes across cultures — sweet, savory, fresh, pickled, and more • A personal story about mango season in Venezuela — lush harvests, backyard trees, and the joyful nostalgia of ripe fruit, plus two varieties of mango that might be new to you. • Plant-based ways to cook with mango — from salsas and salads to desserts, sauces and more. Mangoes happen to be one of my favorite ways to teach how you can play with ripeness and flavor contrasts when creating different textures and flavor profiles in plant-based cooking, and they also happen to be the stars of one of my favorite memories from childhood (which of course you'll hear all about in today's episode). I also challenge you this week to a little experiment in the kitchen. For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here or visit brownble.com/blog

Top headlines for Friday, May 8, 2026Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with Pope Leo at the Vatican following President Donald Trump's criticism of the pontiff, a New York church debates the future of its sanctuary amid declining attendance, and a Christian ministry expands relief efforts after deadly flooding devastates communities in South Asia.00:11 Josh Hawley says America was 'founded on the Gospel of Jesus'00:56 Todd Wagner: Many churches have a 'spiritual leadership problem'01:40 Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen appeals guilty verdict to ECHR02:28 Pulitzer Prize-winning Gaza photo award prompts scrutiny03:22 Pastors allegedly misused over $2M from nonprofits: Minn. AG04:17 Rubio arrives at Vatican after Trump-Pope trade barbs over Iran05:00 Mike Johnson says our rights come from God, 'not government'Subscribe to this PodcastApple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOvercastFollow Us on Social Media@ChristianPost on TwitterChristian Post on Facebook@ChristianPostIntl on InstagramSubscribe on YouTubeGet the Edifi AppDownload for iPhoneDownload for AndroidSubscribe to Our NewsletterSubscribe to the Freedom Post, delivered every Monday and ThursdayClick here to get the top headlines delivered to your inbox every morning!Links to the NewsJosh Hawley says America was 'founded on the Gospel of Jesus' | PoliticsTodd Wagner: Many churches have a 'spiritual leadership problem' | Church & MinistriesFinnish MP Päivi Räsänen appeals guilty verdict to ECHR | WorldPulitzer Prize-winning Gaza photo award prompts scrutiny | WorldPastors allegedly misused over $2M from nonprofits: Minn. AG | U.S.Rubio arrives at Vatican after Trump-Pope trade barbs over Iran | PoliticsMike Johnson says our rights come from God, 'not government' | Politics

Ralph Goff is a 35-year veteran of the CIA, having served as a six-time Chief of Station across Europe, the Middle East, and Central and South Asia. During his career, he also held the roles of Chief of Operations for Europe and Eurasia and Chief of the CIA's National Resources Division. Since leaving government, he advises on national security issues and speaks publicly on intelligence, geopolitics, and great power competition.In this episode of Summation, Ralph and Auren discuss:Why blackmail almost never works in espionage and ideology still doesWho is actually dying for PutinWhy China is the biggest winner of the Ukraine warHow technological surveillance transformed CIA tradecraft You can find Auren Hoffman on X at @auren and Ralph Goff on Linkedin

Nepal just experienced one of Asia's most dramatic recent political upheavals. A former rapper and Kathmandu mayor, Balen Shah, swept to power in a landslide election, winning 182 of 275 parliamentary seats and wiping out every established political party. With half of Nepal's 30 million people under 25, this “Gen Z Revolution” could signal a trend for young democracies worldwide.In this episode, Sujeev Shakya - Chair of the Nepal Economic Forum and senior advisor for Nepal and Bhutan at BowerGroupAsia - explains what happened, why it matters, and what comes next for this small Himalayan country sandwiched between India and China.We explore:•⁠ ⁠How a youth-led anti-corruption movement toppled the government and formed an interim administration on Discord in just five days•⁠ ⁠Why Nepal's new PM is focused on public service delivery rather than grand promises, and whether he can actually end decades of entrenched corruption•⁠ ⁠Nepal's remarkable economic transformation: GDP growth from $7B to $44B in 20 years, fueled by $15B in annual remittances and a booming IT export sector•⁠ ⁠How Nepal navigates its position between India and China - aiming to be an economic “bridge” rather than a geopolitical buffer•⁠ ⁠The impact of the Iran war and the Strait of Hormuz closure on Nepal's fuel supply and its two million workers in the Gulf•⁠ ⁠Why thousands of Nepali soldiers are fighting for Russia in Ukraine - and the new government's challenge of bringing them home•⁠ ⁠Investment opportunities in hydropower, agriculture, technology, tourism, and infrastructureWhether you follow South Asian politics, India-China competition, or youth-led political movements, Nepal's story offers insights into how small states survive and thrive between great powers.

As geopolitical tensions spill into the Indian Ocean, smaller states in South Asia are finding themselves on the frontlines of crises they did not choose. From the sinking of an Iranian vessel off Sri Lanka's coast to mounting pressure from major powers and a region-wide scramble for energy, countries like Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bangladesh, and Nepal are navigating an increasingly complex strategic environment.In this episode, Andre sits down with Nilanthi Samaranayake to unpack how these states are balancing great-power competition, maritime security challenges, and economic vulnerability. They explore how energy shocks spawned by the U.S.-Iran War are reshaping foreign policy decisions, the growing strategic importance of ports and sea lanes, and how smaller states are hedging to preserve autonomy amid intensifying rivalry between India, China, and the United States.The conversation also examines India's evolving role as a regional crisis manager and what the future holds for smaller states navigating an Indian Ocean that is becoming more contested, more strategic — and more consequential than ever.

The U.S.-Iran ceasefire is on the cusp of ending, negotiations appear to have stalled, and across Asia governments and publics alike are watching and wary -- what will U.S. strategic incoherence yield next? Today on The Diplomat's Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) take stock of the current state of affairs, the view of the Iran crisis from the perspectives of U.S. allies in Asia, Central Asia's oil exporters, and South Asia's perpetual foes, India and Pakistan.You can subscribe to The Diplomat's Asia Geopolitics podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify; and watch the episode on YouTube.

President Donald Trump's rhetoric has grown yet more bellicose—and sweary. His stated ploy to destroy Iran's bridges and power plants would be ruinous for Iran, and Iran's planned retaliation ruinous for the region. AI-driven job losses predicted for India's IT sector are looking more likely to be job gains. And why Gen Z is taking up boomers' hobbies.  Guests and host:Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondentGavin Jackson, South Asia business and economics correspondentCaitlin Talbot, digital culture correspondentJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Iran war, AmericaIndia, IT work, AIGen Z, hobbiesGet a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Donald Trump's rhetoric has grown yet more bellicose—and sweary. His stated ploy to destroy Iran's bridges and power plants would be ruinous for Iran, and Iran's planned retaliation ruinous for the region. AI-driven job losses predicted for India's IT sector are looking more likely to be job gains. And why Gen Z is taking up boomers' hobbies.  Guests and host:Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondentGavin Jackson, South Asia business and economics correspondentCaitlin Talbot, digital culture correspondentJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Iran war, AmericaIndia, IT work, AIGen Z, hobbiesGet a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.