Views from Down Underer
Analysis, news commentary, and opinions on the international relations of the Indo-Pacific and beyond as seen from the region by people from the region. An initiative of the Institute for Indo-Pacific Affairs (www.indopac.nz) in Christchurch, New Zealand, the podcast is hosted by Professor Alex Tan of the University of Canterbury (Christchurch, New Zealand) with panelists Dr Juhn Chris Espia of the University of the Philippines Visayas, Associate Professor Nick Khoo of the University of Otago (Dunedin, New Zealand), Dr Orson Tan and Neel Vanvari of the Institute for Indo-Pacific Affairs.
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Episodes
8 hours ago
8 hours ago
The general elections of Canada, Australia, and Singapore returned incumbents and shows voters are voting for stability and steady hands at this time of global uncertainty.
6 days ago
6 days ago
NZ FM gave a speech at the East-West Center in Honolulu titled "Enduring Pacific Partnerships" that talks about the importance of NZ relations with US especially in the context of Pacific partnerships. Trump and Zelensky met just before the funeral mass of Pope Francis where Trump noted that Russia may not be serious about ending the war with Ukraine. Lastly, the caution and warning about foreign influence in the upcoming Singapore general elections.
Monday Apr 21, 2025
Monday Apr 21, 2025
The new State of Southeast Asia Survey is out and provides a snapshot of public opinions from SEA about all things that concern the region. Here is a link to the survey: https://www.iseas.edu.sg/centres/asean-studies-centre/state-of-southeast-asia-survey/the-state-of-southeast-asia-2025-survey-report/
Sunday Apr 13, 2025
Sunday Apr 13, 2025
Trump's liberation day announcement and the 'reciprocal' tariffs led to stock market crash and high market volatility. With global stock markets shedding trillions of dollars from its value and the eventual hit on US Treasury bonds as investors dump the bonds and yields on the bonds rise, Trump put a temporary 90-day halt on the tariffs. President Trump and the US blinked as the market taught it a harsh lesson in international economics. So what happened? In this discussion, we chat about the market dynamics and political economy of 'liberation to liquidation' week.
Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
South Korean constitutional court removes president Yoon for declaring an illegal martial law in early December 2024. New presidential election is set for June 3rd. Trump administration launched the so called 'liberation day' by slapping 'reciprocal' tariffs on its own major trading partners. Markets are reacting with the significant declines of major stock markets.
Tuesday Apr 01, 2025
Tuesday Apr 01, 2025
Former Philippine president Duterte was arrested on an ICC warrant. What is this about and what are the implications to Philippine politics? The P-8 Poseidon is termed as a 'once in a generation' acquisition for the RNZAF but recent news report that the servicing of the planes cannot be done in New Zealand due to absence of technical capabilities. Why? Lastly, interesting evolution of kit/shirt sponsors of English Premier League teams in the 30 years of the creation of the league.
Thursday Mar 27, 2025
Thursday Mar 27, 2025
Panama canal deal by Hutchison Holdings is heavily criticised by China. What is it all about? NZ PM Luxon led a huge delegation to visit India and announced that both countries will negotiate a free trade deal. US is brokering a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, what are new updates.
Monday Mar 17, 2025
Monday Mar 17, 2025
Germany plans to spend big in defense spending as US commitment to Europe weakens, India says that benefits of postwar order is exaggerated signalling the end of the international rules-based order as we know it. China is reported to be very critical of the recent port deals by Hutchison. Voice of America is cutting staff and funding while Canada is reassessing whether to still buy the F35s or not.
Monday Mar 10, 2025
Monday Mar 10, 2025
US announced tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. Canada considers this an aggressive action by the US that seeks to weaken Canada. The fallout of the Oval Office shakedown continues as US freezes support to Ukraine. What is happening here? What is the implications to international politics?
Monday Mar 03, 2025
Monday Mar 03, 2025
The 2025 German Federal election results are out: governing SPD is third, CDU/CSU is tops, the far right AfD came in a strong second. What is the new picture of vote distribution across Germany? What does it mean for coalition and future governance? What does it mean for its foreign policy? Ukraine's president Zelensky went to the Oval Office expecting to discuss and then sign the US-Ukraine mineral deal, instead he got a 'shakedown' by US President Trump and VP Vance all caught on live TV. He was asked to leave the White House not even able to enjoy a meal. What happened? What are the implications and fall out of this very undiplomatic live TV show straight from the White House?
Views from Down Underer
Kwentuhan/Talakayan -- Tagalog words for 'telling a story' and 'discussion' -- describe what our podcast is all about. We are a barkada (group) of political science and international relations geeks based in New Zealand that analyses, comments, and discusses global and regional affairs. As scholars, we bring our academic expertise to help listeners make sense of the news we all watch, read, and listen. Being born and raised in the region, we bring our unique backgrounds to bear to provide perspectives of and from down underer (P.S. It is not a typo. New Zealand is further south of Australia -- the land down under).
About Us
Alex Tan (host) is professor of political science and international relations at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, honorary professor of the NZDF Command and Staff College, university chair professor of political science at National Chengchi University in Taipei, Taiwan. He holds a PhD in political science from Texas A&M University.
Nick Khoo (panelist) is associate professor of international relations at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand and received his PhD in political science from Columbia University.
Juhn Chris Espia (panelist) is assistant professor of political science at the University of the Philippines at Visayas. He holds a PhD in political science and international relations from the University of Canterbury.
Orson Tan (panelist) is senior research fellow at the Institute for Indo-Pacific Affairs. He holds a PhD in political science and international relations from the University of Canterbury.
Neel Vanvari (panelist) is research fellow at the Institute for Indo-Pacific Affairs. He is a PhD candidate in political science from the University of Canterbury.