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Asian Insider

Synopsis: Every Friday, get our distinct take on global issues with an Asian perspective, with ST’s globally-based correspondents.

Produced and edited by: Fa'izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

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Episodes

S1E1: Reviewing Malaysia's Covid Full Movement Control Order: Regional Round-up Ep 1

Regional Round-up Ep 1: Reviewing Malaysia's Covid Full Movement Control Order 9:18 mins Synopsis: Every Wednesday, The Straits Times' regional correspondent Leslie Lopez analyses South-east Asia's top news developments with Money FM's Elliott Danker. They chat about the following: Sabah outrage at 16 Chinese military aircraft flying into Malaysian airspace on Monday earlier this week (1:45) Reviewing Malaysia's latest Full Movement Control Order from June 1-14 (3:24) Thailand's economic stimulu...

Jun 02, 20219 minSeason 1Ep. 1

S1E1: Can US-China competition save the planet's environment? - Power Play Ep 1

Power Play Ep 1: Can US-China competition save the planet's environment? 9:57 mins Synopsis: Once a month, join Charissa Yong and Danson Cheong - ST’s US and China correspondents respectively based in Washington DC and Beijing - as they both look at various facets of the US-China rivalry and its implications for Asia. They chat about the following: Why scepticism over China's climate ambitions are misplaced (1:06) How the US is balancing competition and cooperation with China on climate change (...

May 20, 202110 minSeason 1Ep. 1

S1E69: Myanmar descending into economic collapse: Asian Insider Ep 70

Asian Insider Ep 70: Myanmar descending into economic collapse 18:29 mins Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh presents an Asian perspective of the week's global talking points with expert guests. The international community needs to brace for a humanitarian catastrophe in Myanmar, as analysts Richard Horsey and Pwint Htun tell Asian Insider. They discuss the following points: People risking their lives to withdraw cash (4:16) UN should consider delivering aid th...

May 12, 202118 minSeason 1Ep. 69

S1E1: Getting to know Little Singapore in the south of India: Letter From The Bureau Ep 1

Letter From The Bureau Ep 1: Getting to know Little Singapore in the south of India 16:08 mins Synopsis: Join The Straits Times's foreign desk editor Bhagyashree Garekar in this podcast series as she talks about life as it goes on, amid, and in spite of the headlines, with one of ST’s 30-odd correspondents in 15 cities across the Asia-Pacific, the US and Europe every month. They will share with you some of the more interesting things they are reporting on from the countries they are based in. In...

May 06, 202116 minSeason 1Ep. 1

S1E1: Do not mock India, learn from its Covid-19 troubles: Speaking Of Asia Ep 1

Speaking Of Asia Ep 1: Do not mock India, learn from its Covid-19 troubles 9:26 mins Synopsis: Join The Straits Times' associate editor Ravi Velloor, in this series of podcasts based on his weekly columns on Asian issues, as he distils his experience from four decades of covering the continent. Ravi argues that while much of the global media has focused on the shortcomings of the Indian government, he sees this as a hybrid, with the effects of the coronavirus as an act of nature - made worse by ...

May 06, 20219 minSeason 1Ep. 1

S1E68: India's worsening Covid crisis: Asian Insider Ep 69

Asian Insider Ep 69: India's worsening Covid crisis 18:04 mins Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh presents an Asian perspective of the week's global talking points with expert guests. The new Covid-19 variants in India preyed on a complacent government and population, as ST's India correspondent Rohini Mohan and Ashoka University Professor Gautam Menon, explain on Asian Insider. They discuss the following points: 1. Bangalore in lockdown after spike in infectio...

May 04, 202118 minSeason 1Ep. 68

S1E9: 'I've been told South Korea's not the country for my belief,' says a Korean Muslim

Synopsis: The Invisible Asia Podcast is a special edition 9-episode series in which The Straits Times casts the spotlight on people and communities living in the shadows of their societies where they exist largely unseen and unheard of. The Straits Times' South Korea correspondent Chang May Choon closes our series as she casts the spotlight on the South Korean Muslim minority. As many as 3,000 South Koreans convert to Islam each year, according to the Korea Muslim Federation. But a lack of under...

May 02, 202114 minSeason 1Ep. 9

S1E9: 'Many Koreans have big misunderstandings about Islam': Invisible Asia Ep 9

Invisible Asia Ep 9: 'Many Koreans have big misunderstandings about Islam' 14:06 min Synopsis: The Invisible Asia Podcast is a special edition 9-episode series in which The Straits Times casts the spotlight on people and communities living in the shadows of their societies where they exist largely unseen and unheard of. The Straits Times' South Korea correspondent Chang May Choon closes our series as she casts the spotlight on the South Korean Muslim minority. As many as 3,000 South Koreans conv...

May 02, 202114 minSeason 1Ep. 9

S1E8: 'I was afraid to be rejected if I spoke up,' says childhood abuse victim in the Philippines

Synopsis: The Invisible Asia Podcast is a special edition series in which The Straits Times casts the spotlight on people and communities living in the shadows of their societies where they exist largely unseen and unheard of. Do follow all nine episodes of Invisible Asia over the next two months on The Straits Times podcast channel on Apple podcasts, Spotify or Google podcasts. The Straits Times' Philippines correspondent Raul Dancel casts the spotlight on sexual abuse and domestic violence aga...

Apr 25, 202116 minSeason 1Ep. 8

S1E8: ‘I was afraid I’d be rejected if I told people of my abuse’: Invisible Asia Ep 8

Invisible Asia Ep 8: ‘I was afraid I’d be rejected if I told people of my abuse’ 16:14 min Synopsis: The Invisible Asia Podcast is a special edition series in which The Straits Times casts the spotlight on people and communities living in the shadows of their societies where they exist largely unseen and unheard of. Do follow all nine episodes of Invisible Asia over the next two months on The Straits Times podcast channel on Apple podcasts, Spotify or Google podcasts. The Straits Times' Philippi...

Apr 25, 202116 minSeason 1Ep. 8

S1E67: Washington's Taiwan dilemma - worries spike over China's coercive moves: Asian Insider Ep 68

Asian Insider Ep 68: Washington's Taiwan dilemma - worries spike over China's coercive moves 18:09 mins Synopsis: Every Friday, The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh presents an Asian perspective of the week's global talking points with expert guests. While tensions are up over China's moves against Taiwan, fears of an imminent invasion are alarmist, as analyst Bonnie Glaser tells host Nirmal. Glaser is transitioning to become director of the Asia Program at the German Marshall Fund of...

Apr 20, 202118 minSeason 1Ep. 67

S1E7: 'I wanted to escape this life by hiding who I was': Invisible Asia Ep 7

Invisible Asia Ep 7: 'I wanted to escape this life by hiding who I was' 14:17 min Synopsis: The Invisible Asia Podcast is a special edition series in which The Straits Times casts the spotlight on people and communities living in the shadows of their societies where they exist largely unseen and unheard of. Do follow all nine episodes of Invisible Asia over the next two months on The Straits Times podcast channel on Apple podcasts, Spotify or Google podcasts. The Straits Times' Japan corresponde...

Apr 18, 202114 minSeason 1Ep. 7

S1E7: 'I wanted to escape this life by hiding who I was,' says an 'untouchable' in Japan

Synopsis: The Invisible Asia Podcast is a special edition series in which The Straits Times casts the spotlight on people and communities living in the shadows of their societies where they exist largely unseen and unheard of. Do follow all nine episodes of Invisible Asia over the next two months on The Straits Times podcast channel on Apple podcasts, Spotify or Google podcasts. The Straits Times' Japan correspondent Walter Sim speaks with Japan's "untouchables", known as the burakumin. They are...

Apr 18, 202114 minSeason 1Ep. 7

S1E6: 'I’ve lived here for decades but I still can’t call myself a Hong Konger': Invisible Asia Ep 6

Invisible Asia Ep 6: 'I’ve lived here for decades but I still can’t call myself a Hong Konger' 15:08 min Synopsis: The Invisible Asia Podcast is a special edition series in which The Straits Times casts the spotlight on people and communities living in the shadows of their societies where they exist largely unseen and unheard of. Do follow all nine episodes of Invisible Asia over the next two months on The Straits Times podcast channel on Apple podcasts, Spotify or Google podcasts. The Straits T...

Apr 11, 202115 minSeason 1Ep. 6

S1E6: 'We've lived here for decades, but we still can't fit in,' say Hong Kong's silent outsiders

Synopsis: The Invisible Asia Podcast is a special edition series in which The Straits Times casts the spotlight on people and communities living in the shadows of their societies where they exist largely unseen and unheard of. Do follow all nine episodes of Invisible Asia over the next two months on The Straits Times podcast channel on Apple podcasts, Spotify or Google podcasts. The Straits Times' Hong Kong correspondent Claire Huang speaks to India-born Steven and Chinese mainlander Amy Zhang a...

Apr 11, 202115 minSeason 1Ep. 6

S1E67: Asians in US speak out against racism: Asian Insider Ep 67

Asian Insider Ep 67: Asians in US speak out against racism 14:00 mins Synopsis: Every Friday, The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh presents an Asian perspective of the week's global talking points with expert guests. More Asians are pushing back against stereotypes, prejudice and racism in the US. Film-maker Eunice Lau and college professor Jerrine Tan see the issues through a Singaporean lens. Produced by: Nirmal Ghosh ( nirmal@sph.com.sg ) & ST Video team Edited by: ST Video tea...

Apr 08, 202114 minSeason 1Ep. 67

S1E5: 'What's worse than the job is the humiliation,' say India's sewer cleaners

Synopsis: The Invisible Asia Podcast is a special edition series in which The Straits Times casts the spotlight on people and communities living in the shadows of their societies where they exist largely unseen and unheard of. Do follow all nine episodes of Invisible Asia over the next two months on The Straits Times podcast channel on Apple podcasts, Spotify or Google podcasts. The Straits Times' India correspondent Rohini Mohan shines the spotlight on India's sewer cleaners. As many as a milli...

Apr 04, 202112 minSeason 1Ep. 5

S1E5: ‘What’s worse than the job is the humiliation we face’: Invisible Asia Ep 5

Invisible Asia Ep 5: ‘What’s worse than the job is the humiliation we face’ 11:56 min Synopsis: The Invisible Asia Podcast is a special edition series in which The Straits Times casts the spotlight on people and communities living in the shadows of their societies where they exist largely unseen and unheard of. Do follow all nine episodes of Invisible Asia over the next two months on The Straits Times podcast channel on Apple podcasts, Spotify or Google podcasts. The Straits Times' India corresp...

Apr 04, 202112 minSeason 1Ep. 5

S1E65: Asean's Myanmar dilemma: Asian Insider Ep 66

Asian Insider Ep 66: Asean's Myanmar dilemma 15:38 mins Synopsis: Every Friday, The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh presents an Asian perspective of the week's global talking points with expert guests. Mr Kasit Piromya, former Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs, says Asean and Thailand in particular, have the obligation to restore democracy to the people of Myanmar. Produced by: Nirmal Ghosh ( nirmal@sph.com.sg ) & ST Video team Edited by: ST Video team and Aleemah Basirah Subscrib...

Apr 02, 202116 minSeason 1Ep. 65

S1E4: 'We've always lived here, yet we don't belong,' say Thailand's sea gypsies

Synopsis: The Invisible Asia Podcast is a special edition series in which The Straits Times casts the spotlight on people and communities living in the shadows of their societies where they exist largely unseen and unheard of. Do follow all nine episodes of Invisible Asia over the next two months on The Straits Times podcast channel on Apple podcasts, Spotify or Google podcasts. The Straits Times' Indochina bureau chief Tan Hui Yee explores the lives of the Urak Lawoi, aboriginal Malays from Tha...

Mar 28, 202110 minSeason 1Ep. 4

S1E4: ‘We’ve always lived here, yet we don’t belong’ : Invisible Asia Ep 4

Invisible Asia Ep 4: 'We have always lived here, so they have to make space for us' 9:36 min Synopsis: The Invisible Asia Podcast is a special edition series in which The Straits Times casts the spotlight on people and communities living in the shadows of their societies where they exist largely unseen and unheard of. Do follow all nine episodes of Invisible Asia over the next two months on The Straits Times podcast channel on Apple podcasts, Spotify or Google podcasts. The Straits Times' Indoch...

Mar 28, 202110 minSeason 1Ep. 4

S1E64: Time not Asean's side as it scrambles for strategy for Myanmar crisis: Asian Insider Ep 65

Asian Insider Ep 65: Time not Asean's side as it scrambles for strategy for Myanmar crisis 11:20 mins Synopsis: Every Friday, The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh presents an Asian perspective of the week's global talking points with expert guests. Asean does matter to Myanmar's generals, but the space for intervention is narrowing, as Asian Insider's guests Kavi Chongkittavorn and Moe Thuzar tell host Nirmal Ghosh. Produced by: Nirmal Ghosh ( nirmal@sph.com.sg ) & ST Video team E...

Mar 25, 202111 minSeason 1Ep. 64

S1E3: 'I felt so alone in Singapore': Invisible Asia Ep 3

Invisible Asia Ep 3: 'I felt so alone in Singapore' 9:21 mins Synopsis: The Invisible Asia Podcast is a special edition series in which The Straits Times casts the spotlight on people and communities living in the shadows of their societies where they exist largely unseen and unheard of. Do follow all nine episodes of Invisible Asia over the next two months on The Straits Times podcast channel on audio apps - Apple podcasts, Spotify or Google podcasts. The Straits Times' senior social affairs co...

Mar 21, 20219 minSeason 1Ep. 3

S1E3: 'I felt so alone,' says foreigner who married Singaporean man

Synopsis: The Invisible Asia Podcast is a special edition series in which The Straits Times casts the spotlight on people and communities living in the shadows of their societies where they exist largely unseen and unheard of. Do follow all nine episodes of Invisible Asia over the next two months on The Straits Times podcast channel on audio apps - Apple podcasts, Spotify or Google podcasts. The Straits Times' senior social affairs correspondent Theresa Tan speaks to two foreign brides in Singap...

Mar 21, 20219 minSeason 1Ep. 3

S1E63: Quad countries to deliver 1 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses: Asian Insider Ep 64

Asian Insider Ep 64: Quad countries to deliver 1 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses 14:38 mins Synopsis: Every Friday, The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh presents an Asian perspective of the week's global talking points with expert guests. Without naming China, Quad countries aim to beef up cooperation based on values and principles. Our U.S. Bureau Chief Nirmal Ghosh speaks with India bureau chief Nirmala Ganapathy and Japan Correspondent Walter Sim on the inaugural Quad summit. Produc...

Mar 20, 202115 minSeason 1Ep. 63

S1E2: 'My ambitions are but empty dreams,' says Chinese migrant worker

Synopsis: The Invisible Asia Podcast is a special edition series in which The Straits Times casts the spotlight on people and communities living in the shadows of their societies where they exist largely unseen and unheard of. Do follow all nine episodes of Invisible Asia over the next two months on The Straits Times podcast channel on Apple podcasts, Spotify or Google podcasts. The Straits Times' China correspondent Danson Cheong explores the hardships that short-term labourer Wei Xiaoqiang fac...

Mar 14, 202110 minSeason 1Ep. 2

S1E2: 'My ambitions are but empty dreams': Invisible Asia Ep 2

Invisible Asia Ep 2: 'My ambitions are but empty dreams' 10:25 mins Synopsis: The Invisible Asia Podcast is a special edition series in which The Straits Times casts the spotlight on people and communities living in the shadows of their societies where they exist largely unseen and unheard of. Do follow all nine episodes of Invisible Asia over the next two months on The Straits Times podcast channel on Apple podcasts, Spotify or Google podcasts. The Straits Times' China correspondent Danson Cheo...

Mar 14, 202110 minSeason 1Ep. 2

S1E62: Fukushima nuclear disaster shadow haunts Japan 10 years on: Asian Insider Ep 63

Asian Insider Ep 63: Fukushima nuclear disaster shadow haunts Japan 10 years on 17:38 mins Synopsis: Every Friday, The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh presents an Asian perspective of the week's global talking points with expert guests. Nuclear power planners should factor in ethics and human rights, says nuclear expert Tatsujiro Suzuki on Asian Insider. His guests are Walter Sim, ST's Japan correspondent and Dr Tatsujiro Suzuki, a professor at Nagasaki University. Produced by: Nirma...

Mar 11, 202118 minSeason 1Ep. 62

S1E1: 'My ISIS fighter brother turned me into an advocate against terror': Invisible Asia Ep 1

Invisible Asia Ep 1: 'My ISIS fighter brother turned me into an advocate against terror' 10:23 mins Synopsis: The Invisible Asia Podcast is a special edition series in which The Straits Times casts the spotlight on people and communities living in the shadows of their societies where they exist largely unseen, unheard and little talked about. Do follow all nine episodes of Invisible Asia over the next two months on The Straits Times podcast channel on Apple podcasts, Spotify or Google podcasts. ...

Mar 07, 202110 minSeason 1Ep. 1

S1E1: 'My ISIS fighter brother turned me into an advocate against terror'

Synopsis: The Invisible Asia Podcast is a special edition series in which The Straits Times casts the spotlight on people and communities living in the shadows of their societies where they exist largely unseen, unheard and little talked about. Do follow all nine episodes of Invisible Asia over the next two months on The Straits Times podcast channel on Apple podcasts, Spotify or Google podcasts. The Straits Times' regional correspondent Tan Jia Ning narrates and also speaks to Muhammad In’am Am...

Mar 07, 202110 minSeason 1Ep. 1
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