Views from Down Underer

Thailand-Cambodia border skirmishes, Japan's LDP loses upper house majority, Taiwan's recall election

The Thai-Cambodia border skirmish has now escalated with both sides firing artillery across their borders.  Why the escalation now?  Japan's LDP loses its upper house majority and what does it mean for PM Ishiba's tenure as LDP party leader.  Taiwan has a recall election in a bid to unseat KMT legislators and allow the DPP to regain legislative majority that the ruling party lost in the January 2024 general election.  So what is the result and what are the implications of this recall election on party politics in Taiwan?

Ep. 76: Tariff letters, Australian FM speech in Kuala Lumpur, and other interesting news

White House has sent out tariff letters to numerous countries but the the import taxes do not take effect till August 1st.  FM Penny Wong gave a speech in the ASEAN meeting about managing differences between allies.  Other interesting news such as the confirmation grilling of the US ambassador-designate to Singapore, the advanced RAF fighter jet stuck in India, and how Myanmar military junta received the US tariff letters.

Ep. 75: China-EU meeting, China pressuring to not show a South China Sea documentary, Thailand cabinet reshuffle and continuing political drama

China's FM had a meeting with EU counterpart to discuss outstanding issues on bilateral relations.  A Philippine documentary "Food Delivery" on the South China Sea has received attention such that there are active lobbying by Chinese diplomats to not show the documentary.  There is still continuing fallout from the leaked call of the Thai PM with former Cambodian PM.  Thai PM is suspended pending investigation while calls for her resignation gets louder.

Ep. 74: US bombs Iran and Thailand PM pressured to resign over leaked phone call

US bombed Iran's nuclear facility about a week after Israel attacked Iran.  Why did the US attack now?  Will their be a fallout from this decision?  Is there a risk of a widening regional conflict?  Thailand's border conflict with Cambodia has a new twist.  A private phone conversation between the Thai PM and Cambodia's ex-strongman leader Hun Sen was leaked and led to calls for resignation of the PM. 

Ep. 73: Israel-Iran conflict, NZ PM's upcoming Beijing visit, Pentagon reviews AUKUS, US Army day parade

Israel attacked Iran to decapitate its nuclear program and Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks.  Will this turn into a regional war? NZ PM will visit Beijing, with lots going on domestically and internationally what are some of their likely talking points?  Pentagon has decided to review the AUKUS arrangements catching Australia by surprise and also ahead of an upcoming visit by the Australian PM to the US. US Army celebrated its 250th anniversary with a military parade which are rare in the US.

Ep. 72: South Korean election, California vs US federal government spat, Thailand-Cambodia border dispute

South Korean liberal politician Lee Jae-myung won the presidency.  With Korean society so polarised is this a 'poisoned chalice.'  Trump administration in a spat with California threatened to cut federal funding, in turn California governor Gavin Newsom threatened to not turn over California's federal taxes.  What is this spat all about?  Thailand and Cambodia are having a dispute over part of its shared border.  The militaries of both countries have been mobilised. What does this mean for the concept of ASEAN as a security community?

Ep. 71: Macron and Hegseth speeches at the 2025 Shangrila Dialogue

Shangrila Dialogue was held in Singapore last week.  French president Macron spoke of the importance of Europe to engage Asia.  US defense secretary Hegseth warns about hedging and implores regional states to spend at least 5% on their defense.  Interestingly, China did not send their defense minister instead an academic delegation from their defense university.

Ep. 70: US Navy ship visit NZ, Philippine midterm elections, US reducing forces in Korea

US naval ship visits New Zealand after PLA Navy ships showed up in the Tasman Sea several months ago.  With NZ planning to increase defense spending does this mean a closer defense relationship between the two countries since the breakup of ANZUS in the late 1980s?  Philippine midterm elections shows the strength of political dynasties in the Philippines and the seeming weakness of Philippine political institutions.  Is this a sign of poor institutional design?  Wall Street Journal reports that US is planning to reduce the number of soldiers based in South Korea and Singapore warns foreign embassies not to interfere in domestic affairs.

Ep. 69: IR scholar Joe Nye, Pope Leo XIV, Asia's dollar demand, US orders intelligence gathering of Greenland

Prominent international relations scholar, Joseph Nye, passes away.  We chat about his contribution to the study of international relations.  Catholic Church has a new pope and the first born in the US.  Asia's demand for US dollar is waning, what does it mean and what are likely implications?  US is upping intelligence gathering on Greenland and Danish government protests this action.

Ep. 68: General Elections in Canada, Australia, and Singapore

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.