Asian Insider - podcast cover

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

S1E13: How Hurricane Ida could boost President Biden's US infrastructure campaign: Washington Report Ep 13

Washington Report Ep 13: How Hurricane Ida could boost President Biden's US infrastructure campaign 11:08 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in the United States. The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliott Danker about the following points: Key differences between Hurricane Ida and Hurricane Katrina (1:55) The aftermath of Hurricane Ida could boost President Biden's infrastructure campaign (4:00) How will global w...

Sep 06, 202111 minSeason 1Ep. 13

S1E5: How Japan lost reputation as needle-shifting tech innovators: Letter From The Bureau Ep 5

Letter From The Bureau Ep 5: How Japan lost reputation as needle-shifting tech innovators 20:19 mins Synopsis: The Straits Times' foreign editor Bhagyashree Garekar chats with ST’s correspondents in the Asia-Pacific, the US and Europe every month. They talk about life as it goes on, amid the screaming headlines and bubbling crises. In this episode, she chats with ST's Japan correspondent Walter Sim about the following: Cultural resistance to change remains in Japan; how even vaccination passport...

Sep 02, 202120 minSeason 1Ep. 5

S1E13: Malaysia and Indonesia recalibrate Covid-19 measures: Regional Round-up Ep 13

Regional Round-up Ep 13: Malaysia and Indonesia recalibrate Covid-19 measures 11:34 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses South-east Asia's top news developments. The Straits Times' regional correspondent Leslie Lopez chats with Money FM's Elliott Danker about the following points: Malaysia's citizens urged to cooperate with vaccination programme (2:09) Sarawak & Sabah to set out its own Covid-19 counter-measures (3:40) Looming duties on Malaysia's new Prime Minister Ismail S...

Sep 01, 202112 minSeason 1Ep. 13

S1E11: Examining factors for possible China-Taliban alliance: China Perspective Ep 11

China Perspective Ep 11: Examining factors for possible China-Taliban alliance 10:32 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in China. Dr Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow at Singapore Institute of International Affairs, stands in for The Straits Times' China bureau chief Tan Dawn Wei, who is on leave. He chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliott Danker about the following points: Where does China stand with regards to the "new" Afghanistan (1:57) Could the China-Taliban al...

Aug 31, 202111 minSeason 1Ep. 11

S1E12: Potential Taleban-ISIS-K conflict after US' Afghanistan exit: Washington Report Ep 12

Washington Report Ep 12: Potential Taleban-ISIS-K conflict after US' Afghanistan exit 10:04 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in the United States. The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliott Danker about the following points: Analysing the US forces' final phase of leaving Kabul airport and proposed Turkish security management of airport (1:25) Former president Donald Trump's allegation of potential terrorist dan...

Aug 30, 202110 minSeason 1Ep. 12

S1E74: What the US' Afghanistan exit means for Asia's regional powers: Asian Insider Ep 75

Asian Insider Ep 75: What the US' Afghanistan exit means for Asia's regional powers 25:33 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. What the American failure in Afghanistan, India's unrealised political promises and an emboldened China means for dynamics in Asia? Nirmal Ghosh chats with two expert guests. Associate Professor Christine Fair is with the Security Studies Program wi...

Aug 26, 202126 minSeason 1Ep. 74

S1E8: Hong Kong's upcoming new and toughened laws: Inside Hong Kong Ep 8

Inside Hong Kong Ep 8: Hong Kong's upcoming new and toughened laws 10:30 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in Hong Kong. The Straits Times' Hong Kong correspondent Claire Huang speaks with Money FM's Rachel Kelly and Timothy Go on the following points: New data privacy law will create complications for Hong Kong's business community (1:58) Toughened new censorship law to scrutinise past films for national security breaches (3:17) Reactions to Hong Kong...

Aug 26, 202111 minSeason 1Ep. 8

S1E12: Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s first week in office as Malaysia's 9th PM: Regional Round-up Ep 12

Regional Round-up Ep 12: Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s first week in office as Malaysia's 9th PM 10:39 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses South-east Asia's top news developments. The Straits Times' regional correspondent Leslie Lopez chats with Money FM's Adrian Abraham about the following points: Who could be deputy to new Malaysian PM Ismail Sabri? (1:18) New Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s decision against a bipartisan government (4:17) President Rodrigo Duterte’s pl...

Aug 25, 202111 minSeason 1Ep. 12

S1E10: Chinese President Xi Jinping’s plans for 'common prosperity': China Perspective Ep 10

China Perspective Ep 10: Chinese President Xi Jinping’s plans for 'common prosperity' 8:55 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in China. Dr Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow at Singapore Institute of International Affairs, stands in for The Straits Times' China bureau chief Tan Dawn Wei, who is on leave. He chats with Money FM 89.3's Adrian Abraham and Ryan Huang about the following points: The origin and objective of China's 'common prosperity' term (1:26) China...

Aug 24, 20219 minSeason 1Ep. 10

S1E11: How Afghanistan's Kabul airport became a scene of chaos: Washington Report Ep 11

Washington Report Ep 11: How Afghanistan's Kabul airport became a scene of chaos 9:25 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in the United States. The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh chats with Money FM 89.3's Adrian Abraham and Ryan Huang about the following points: The magnitude of the Kabul airport evacuation and refugee relocation (1:37) Chaos in evacuation operation due to unanticipated timing of Taleban takeover (3:53) How many evacuated, ...

Aug 24, 20219 minSeason 1Ep. 11

S1E4: China, US and politics of the Olympics: Power Play Ep 4

Power Play Ep 4: China, US and politics of the Olympics 9:01 mins Synopsis: On the third Friday of every month, The Straits Times examines various facets of the US-China rivalry and its implications for Asia. Join Charissa Yong and Danson Cheong - ST’s US and China correspondents respectively based in Washington DC and Beijing - as they chat about the following: The Olympics - a neutral or an intensely political competition? (0:35) Why the US plans to boycott the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022;...

Aug 19, 20219 minSeason 1Ep. 4

S1E11: Malaysia awaits its next Prime Minister: Regional Round-up Ep 11

Regional Round-up Ep 11: Malaysia awaits its next Prime Minister 12:36 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses South-east Asia's top news developments. The Straits Times' regional correspondent Leslie Lopez chats with Money FM's Adrian Abraham and Ryan Huang about the following points: Latest developments in Malaysia's leadership stalemate (1:10) Is there a possible comeback for Muhyiddin? (5:29) What are the odds of an Anwar era? (9:10) Chances of Mahathir or his son becoming the ...

Aug 19, 202113 minSeason 1Ep. 11

S1E10: Possible terror threats after US exit from Afghanistan: Washington Report Ep 10

Washington Report Ep 10: Possible terror threats after US exit from Afghanistan 11:05 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in the United States. Steve Okun, senior adviser at McLarty Associates, stands in for The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh who is on leave. He chats with Money FM 89.3's Adrian Abraham and Ryan Huang about the following points: How former President Trump's deal left the insurgence in strong military position (5:17) The glob...

Aug 18, 202111 minSeason 1Ep. 10

S1E9: Why Taleban’s Afghanistan takeover will concern China: China Perspective Ep 9

China Perspective Ep 9: Why Taleban’s Afghanistan takeover will concern China 9:08 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in China. Dr Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow at Singapore Institute of International Affairs, stands in for The Straits Times' China bureau chief Tan Dawn Wei, who is on leave. He chats with Money FM 89.3's Adrian Abraham and Ryan Huang about the following points: Why Taleban's Kabul takeover would be a concern for China (1:15) Beijing has not ...

Aug 18, 20219 minSeason 1Ep. 9

S1E7: Implications of China's anti-sanctions law on Hong Kong: Inside Hong Kong Ep 7

Inside Hong Kong Ep 7: Implications of China's anti-sanctions law on Hong Kong 10:37 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in Hong Kong. The Straits Times' Hong Kong correspondent Claire Huang speaks with Money FM's Rachel Kelly and Timothy Go on the following points: Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam supports adoption of China’s anti-sanctions law (1:08) Implications on other trade unions after Professional Teachers' Union (PTU) disbandment (3:08) Di...

Aug 13, 202111 minSeason 1Ep. 7

S1E4: Why India and China cannot get along: Speaking of Asia Ep 4

Speaking Of Asia Ep 4: Why India and China cannot get along 54:34 mins Synopsis: The Straits Times's associate editor Ravi Velloor distils his experience from four decades of covering the Asian continent. In this fourth episode, he discusses the subject of China and India, and their fraught relationship, with Professor Kanti Bajpai, who has the Wilmar Chair on Asian Studies at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore. Prof Bajpai has recently written a book called India Versus China...

Aug 12, 202155 minSeason 1Ep. 4

S1E10: Understanding political turmoil in Malaysia and Thailand: Regional Round-up Ep 10

Regional Round-up Ep 10: Understanding political turmoil in Malaysia and Thailand 10:14 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses South-east Asia's top news developments. The Straits Times' regional correspondent Leslie Lopez chats with Money FM's Elliott Danker about the following points: Malaysia's Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's premiership hanging in the balance (1:44) Possible outcomes when confidence vote conducted in Malaysia's parliament in September (3:37) What can PM Muhy...

Aug 11, 202110 minSeason 1Ep. 10

S1E8: Can a military conflict involving China happen sooner than later? - China Perspective Ep 8

China Perspective Ep 8: Can a military conflict involving China happen sooner than later? 6:59 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in China. The Straits Times' China bureau chief Tan Dawn Wei chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliott Danker about the following points: China punishes 30 officials for failing to curb new Covid-19 outbreak (1:27) Can China go into a possible military campaign as it works towards its target of military modernisation by 2027 (3:01) ...

Aug 10, 20217 minSeason 1Ep. 8

S1E4: Taiwan wakes up to its tribal culture: Letter From The Bureau Ep 4

Letter From The Bureau Ep 4: Taiwan wakes up to its tribal culture 13:40 mins Synopsis: The Straits Times's foreign editor Bhagyashree Garekar chats with ST’s correspondents in the Asia-Pacific, the US and Europe every month. They talk about life as it goes on, amid the screaming headlines and bubbling crises. In this episode, she chats with ST's Taiwan correspondent Katherine Wei about the following: How Taiwan's native tribes were repressed (1:10) Rediscovering tribal roots, history and cultur...

Aug 05, 202114 minSeason 1Ep. 4

S1E9: Malaysia PM's impending reign loss and possible political developments: Regional Round-up Ep 9

Regional Round-up Ep 9: Malaysia PM's impending reign loss and possible political developments 11:30 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses South-east Asia's top news developments. The Straits Times' regional correspondent Leslie Lopez chats with Money FM's Elliott Danker about the following points: Malaysia's Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin postponed Parliament session due to outbreak of Covid-19 cases (2:10) Muhyiddin's position as Prime Minister and possible successors upon res...

Aug 04, 202112 minSeason 1Ep. 9

S1E7: How China is containing its new Covid-19 Delta variant spread: China Perspective Ep 7

China Perspective Ep 7: How China is containing its new Covid-19 Delta variant spread 7:44 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in China. The Straits Times' China bureau chief Tan Dawn Wei chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliott Danker about the following points: China's efforts to contain recent Covid-19 Delta variant outbreak in several months (1:32) China's securities regulator calling for talks with its American counterparts after the IPO halt of Chinese e...

Aug 03, 20218 minSeason 1Ep. 7

S1E9: How Florida has become epicentre of US Covid-19 Delta variant spread: Washington Report Ep 9

Washington Report Ep 9: How Florida has become epicentre of US Covid-19 Delta variant spread 11:04 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in the United States. The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliott Danker about the following points: US President Joe Biden’s US$1 trillion (S$1.35 trillion) infrastructure package (1:35) Why the country badly needs these infrastructure fixes (3:42) What is causing a surge in Covid-1...

Aug 02, 202111 minSeason 1Ep. 9

S1E73: School Interrupted: Millions of children losing a year of education in Covid era: Asian Insider Ep 74

Asian Insider Ep 74: School Interrupted: Millions of children losing a year of education in Covid era 15:41 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. Millions of children have in effect lost a year of education amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Nirmal Ghosh chats with ST's Philippines correspondent Raul Dancel and India correspondent Rohini Mohan about the following points: Schools in...

Jul 29, 202116 minSeason 1Ep. 73

S1E8: Rodrigo Duterte’s report card and succession plan: Regional Round-up Ep 8

Regional Round-up Ep 8: Rodrigo Duterte’s report card and succession plan 12:07 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses South-east Asia's top news developments. The Straits Times' regional correspondent Leslie Lopez chats with Money FM's Elliott Danker about the following points: Economic improvement: President Duterte's strongest suit (3:38) Philippines' potential presidential candidates (6:07) Indonesia's President Jokowi extends partial lockdown (7:55) Malaysia ending Covid-19 e...

Jul 28, 202112 minSeason 1Ep. 8

S1E6: Impact of China’s edtech assault on after-school tutoring companies, investors: China Perspective Ep 6

China Perspective Ep 6: Impact of China’s edtech assault on after-school tutoring companies, investors 7:52 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in China. The Straits Times' China bureau chief Tan Dawn Wei chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliott Danker about the following points: China's new set of sweeping regulations on after-school tutoring companies and investors (1:48) China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi's statement before US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy ...

Jul 27, 20218 minSeason 1Ep. 6

S1E8: Why US authorities not probing Covid-19 nursing home deaths: Washington Report Ep 8

Washington Report Ep 8: Why US authorities not probing Covid-19 nursing home deaths 9:21 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in the United States. The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliott Danker about the following points: Republican demands to investigate some government-run nursing homes over Covid-19 deaths (0:23) The US has purchased 200 million more Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines - 65 million meant for children (4...

Jul 26, 20219 minSeason 1Ep. 8

S1E6: Anti-doxxing bill debate causes concern in Hong Kong: Inside Hong Kong Ep 6

Inside Hong Kong Ep 6: Anti-doxxing bill debate causes concern in Hong Kong 8:32 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in Hong Kong. The Straits Times' Hong Kong correspondent Claire Huang speaks with Money FM's Rachel Kelly and Timothy Go on the following points: Hong Kong police arrested former executive chief editor of Apple Daily tabloid (0:43) National security police officers arrest five General Union of Hong Kong Speech therapists over children's bo...

Jul 23, 20219 minSeason 1Ep. 6

S1E7: Covid era personal responsibility challenges in tradition-bound South-east Asian countries: Regional Round-Up Ep 7

Regional Round-up Ep 7: Covid era personal responsibility challenges in tradition-bound South-east Asian countries 9:43 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses South-east Asia's top news developments. The Straits Times' regional correspondent Leslie Lopez chats with Money FM's Elliott Danker about the following points: Indonesia becoming epicentre for Covid-19 cases in South-east Asia (1:20) Getting religious leaders on board with government plans to help convince the public (2:30)...

Jul 20, 202110 minSeason 1Ep. 7

S1E7: Why Washington shooting won't have impact on US gun laws: Washington Report Ep 7

Washington Report Ep 7: Why Washington shooting won't have impact on US gun laws 8:15 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in the United States. The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliott Danker about the following points: The recent shooting outside the Washington Nationals stadium (1:35) What impact does the Nationals Parks shooting have on gun laws in America (3:54) Bootleg fire that’s spreading fast in Oregon (5...

Jul 19, 20218 minSeason 1Ep. 7

S1E3: Lovable China? How the world sees China's PR struggle: Power Play Ep 3

Power Play Ep 3: Lovable China? How the world sees China's PR struggle 10:08 mins Synopsis: On the third Friday of every 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: Chinese President Xi Jinping recently said it will be tough to build a "credible, lovable and respectable" image and how the US ...

Jul 15, 202110 minSeason 1Ep. 3
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