Views from Down Underer

North Korean soldiers in Ukraine, Impending 'betrayal' of Ukraine? The Age of De-population, Japan's LDP loses its majority

In this episode we discuss reports that North Korean soldiers are fighting in Ukraine.  We then talk about an essay published by the Royal United Services Institute about the possible of betrayal of Ukraine and why this betrayal is likely to happen.  We discuss the Foreign Affairs article about the problem of depopulation that the world is facing today and what this means.  Lastly, the snap election in Japan backfired for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party as it lost its parliamentary majority.

Elon Musk giving $1M to Pennsylvania voters, Indonesian presidential inauguration, Trump works in a MacDonalds

Is Musk offering money to voters considered vote buying?  Months after the presidential election, the new Indonesian president is finally sworn in.  Donald Trump apparently worked in a MacDonald's for a day, but did he really?

Great power rivalry and implications for Southeast Asia and America losing Southeast Asia to China?

We chat about Nick's research presentation at the Southeast Asia Research Initiative seminar on the implications of great power rivalry on Southeast Asia and then examine whether there is validity in the concern that the United States is losing its position of influence in Southeast Asia to China as other global issues drags America's attention to the region.

Hezbollah-Israel conflict, US strategy in the Mideast, Sikh referendum in NZ, RNZN ship sinks in Samoa

We examine the implications of the conflict in the Mideast to our region and discuss a recent essay in Foreign Affairs that calls for a change of approach to US Mideast strategy.  The Khalistan movement has supporters in NZ that are holding a referendum on Sikh independence.  Then the sad news of the sinking of the RNZN survey ship in Samoa while doing a survey of the seabed.

Asia Power index, China and changing power in East Asia talk by Prof Robert Ross of Boston College

Lowy Institute released its new Asia Power index, we discuss the method and design of this power index.  How does the construction of an index affects the rankings of countries?  

Research on Pacific maritime spaces, Harris/Trump debate, US electoral battleground states

We chat about two research papers we conducted on Pacific maritime space.  One research is about Fiji and Solomon Islands and how these two countries exercise their agency and the second paper is on fisheries and maritime security issues.  We then talk about our own impressions of the US presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.  Lastly, we discuss a BBC article on the battleground states in this November's US presidential election.  Does issue saliency affected by the politics within these battleground states?

Indonesia-China the next stoush in the South China Sea, a possible standoff between the Global South and China and Pope Francis in Southeast Asia

Indonesian activity in the South China Sea is increasing as the country builds its own military bases in disputed waters while ferreting out Chinese fishing vessels that intrude into their EEZ. Is this another conflict that adds to an already tense theatre? Chinese industrial overcapacity has seen protectionist actions by members of the Global South, what does this mean for Chinese ambitions as a leader of this group and its own domestic concerns? Pope Francis was in Southeast Asia, praising the diversity and social harmony in the region, what lessons can the rest of the world take from the experiences of the Southeast Asian nations in building diverse societies?

Danger of planning for peaked China? US urged to dropped obsession of being Number 1

Two articles published in prominent foreign policy magazines from well-known observers of international affairs of the Asia-Pacific.  Ryan Haas in his article suggested that US planning policies on the basis of peaked China is not a good idea.  Second article is a letter from Singapore to the next US president urging the US to stopped being so obsessed with being number 1.

Japan PM Kishida steps down, Thailand has new PM, Jokowi maneuvering behind the scenes, and NZ PM Luxon's speech at Lowy in Sydney

Japan PM Kishida steps down and opens up new leadership contest within the LDP.  Is it 'plus ca change' in the case of Japanese politics?  Clan politics seem to be the name of the game in two Southeast Asian countries -- Thailand and Indonesia.  Thailand's new PM is the formerly exiled Thaksin Shinawatra's daughter and the Shinawatra family seem to be on the mend with other significant actors in Thailand.  Indonesia's outgoing president Jokowi was supposed to be the outsider but now seems to be ensuring that his family/clan will be signficant insiders in Indonesian politics.  Lastly, NZ PM Chris Luxon gave an important foreign policy speech in Sydney.  So now that Luxon talks the talk, the question remains is can he also walk the walk considering the difficult economic situation NZ finds itself in today. 

Hullaballoo of the upcoming US elections: observations from the ground

The US election in November is creating lots of anxieties globally.  Despite the excitement with the Kamala Harris candidacy, questions remain about what is likely to happen the day after the first Tuesday of November.  What does a Harris presidency mean Asia-Pacific?  What does a second Trump administration mean for international relations of Asia-Pacific?