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

S1E46: The race to be Bangkok's next governor: Regional Round-up

Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses South-east Asia's top news developments in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' regional correspondent Leslie Lopez chats with Money FM's Elliot Danker. In this week's episode, they discuss the resumption between Singapore and Malaysia via public buses and cross-border taxis, the record number of 30 candidates in the race to be Bangkok's next governor, and foreign intervention possibly being the only hope to mitigate the fuel crisis in Sri Lanka. Produced ...

May 04, 20228 minSeason 1Ep. 46

S1E86: Ex-Google chairman Eric Schmidt says Singapore is perfect technology partner for the US: Asian Insider

Synopsis: In this special episode, The Straits Times' foreign editor Bhagyashree Garekar speaks with Mr Eric Schmidt, the former Google chairman who started the philanthropic initiative Schmidt Futures. Mr Schmidt, 67, was chief executive of Google (2001-11) and executive chairman of the firm and its successor Alphabet (2011-17). The billionaire now runs Schmidt Futures, a New York-based philanthropic organisation that he co-founded with his wife in 2017 with the ambitious idea of building "a ne...

May 02, 202211 minSeason 1Ep. 86

S1E45: Will Malaysia’s push forward with minimum wage hike on 1 May help ordinary Malaysians?: Regional Round-up

Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses South-east Asia's top news developments in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' regional correspondent Leslie Lopez chats with Money FM's Elliot Danker. In this week's episode, we discuss Malaysia’s worrying downward trend of the Malaysian ringgit and Indonesia’s surprise ban on palm oil exports. Also, could Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest daughter of former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra be the next PM? Produced by: Leslie Lopez ( ljlopez@sph...

Apr 27, 202210 minSeason 1Ep. 45

S1E42: Beijing starts mass testing as Covid cases spike: China Perspective

Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in China in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' China bureau chief Tan Dawn Wei chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliot Danker. In this week's episode, we discuss how serious the impact of the potential lockdown will be on Beijing. How will China's security cooperation pact with The Solomon Islands affect international relations and how will China fare in its attempts to help Sri Lanka through its economic crisis? Produced by: Tan Dawn W...

Apr 26, 20228 minSeason 1Ep. 42

S1E45: Biden administration faces impasse over Covid-19 funding: Washington Report

Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in the United States in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliot Danker. In this week's episode, the team discusses Biden’s administration looking to secure more Covid-19 funds for the country, and sending more aid to Ukraine. Produced by: Nirmal Ghosh ( nirmal@sph.com.sg ) & Money FM's Breakfast Huddle team Edited by: Nadhirah Kamarudin Follow Washington Report every Mo...

Apr 25, 20227 minSeason 1Ep. 45

S1E12: Panda diplomacy amid US-China tensions: Power Play

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 US' National Zoo celebrating its 50th "pandaversary" and China's most significant mode of animal diplomacy. Highlights (click/tap above): 01:28 How Americans view the National Zoo's pandas 03:10 Animal diplomacy:...

Apr 21, 202212 minSeason 1Ep. 12

S1E44: Troubled Sri Lanka asks IMF for financial support: Regional Round-up

Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses South-east Asia's top news developments in this weekly podcast. Dr. Oh Ei Sun, senior fellow at Singapore Institute of International Affairs, stands in for The Straits Times' regional correspondent Leslie Lopez who is on leave, and he chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliot Danker. In this week's episode, we discuss the latest news of troubled Sri Lanka making a request to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) support to mitigat...

Apr 20, 20227 minSeason 1Ep. 44

S1E41: Statistics reveal China's economy has beaten expectations: China Perspective

Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in China in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' China bureau chief Tan Dawn Wei chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliot Danker. In this week's episode, they discuss the latest data released by China's National Bureau of Statistics, how the country’s economy beat expectations, the growing defiance in Shanghai due to the lockdown, and China's space ambitions. Produced by: Tan Dawn Wei ( dawntan@sph.com.sg ) & Money FM's Breakfast Huddl...

Apr 19, 20229 minSeason 1Ep. 41

S1E85: Upcoming Summit to bring Asean Leaders to the White House: Asian Insider

Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times' US Bureau Chief Nirmal Ghosh presents an Asian perspective of the biggest global talking points with expert guests. In this episode, Nirmal Ghosh hosts Elina Noor, Director, Political-Security Affairs and Deputy Director, Washington, D.C. Office at the Asia Society Policy Institute, and Bich Tran, non-resident Adjunct Fellow at the Southeast Asia Program of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, CSIS in Washington D.C. Highlights (click/tap a...

Apr 18, 202213 minSeason 1Ep. 85

S1E2: General Yamashita’s lost gold

Synopsis: In this special series, The Straits Times dives into some of the greatest unsolved mysteries in South-east Asia, and examines the underlying issues that they exposed. In this episode, we follow the trail of fabled treasure stashed in tunnels and caves by retreating Japanese soldiers who found themselves with nowhere else to go as World War II drew to a close. ST correspondent Raul Dancel speaks to Mr Arnel Cruz, spokesman of the Treasure Hunters Association of the Philippines, and arch...

Apr 18, 202219 minSeason 1Ep. 2

S1E44: Mental illness and guns - Brooklyn subway shooting in US sparks debate: Washington Report

Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in the United States in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliot Danker and Bharati Jagdish. In this week's episode, they give an analysis of the latest development on the shooting incident aboard a subway car in Brooklyn, US President Joe Biden’s upcoming meeting with Asean leaders, and former president Donald Trump endorsing a celebrity doctor for a US Senate seat in Penns...

Apr 18, 202210 minSeason 1Ep. 44

S1E3: Inside Singapore's Covid-19 War Room

Synopsis: This podcast series is based on selected chapters from a book, detailing Singapore’s experience battling the Covid-19 pandemic. The book - written by journalists of The Straits Times and edited by ST’s executive editor Sumiko Tan - is titled In This Together: Singapore's Covid-19 Story and is available in major bookstores now. Details online: https://www.stbooks.sg/ In this third episode of six instalments, ST's executive editor Sumiko Tan tells the exclusive story of how the decision-...

Apr 17, 202224 minSeason 1Ep. 3

S1E43: Malaysia’s anti-party hopping law suffers another setback: Regional Round-up

Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses South-east Asia's top news developments in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' regional correspondent Leslie Lopez chats with Money FM's Elliot Danker and Bharati Jagdish. In this week's episode, we discuss the arrest of one of Malaysia's most wanted men who pleaded not guilty to 26 charges, another delay in the enactment of Malaysia's anti-party hopping law, the Philippines government, and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)'s first step towards nor...

Apr 13, 202210 minSeason 1Ep. 43

S1E40: Ripple effect of China's zero Covid-19 efforts on its economy: China Perspective

Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in China in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' China bureau chief Tan Dawn Wei chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliot Danker and Bharati Jagdish. In this week's episode, we discuss the latest on Shanghai’s lockdown, to the fourth Chinese billionaire founder-CEO stepping down from his top role and the ripple effect of the country’s zero Covid-19 efforts on its economy. Produced by: Tan Dawn Wei ( dawntan@sph.com.sg ) & Money FM's Br...

Apr 12, 20228 minSeason 1Ep. 40

S1E43: Analysing Trump Jr's alleged texts on keeping dad in office after election loss: Washington Report

Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in the United States in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliot Danker and Bharati Jagdish. In this week's episode, they analyse texts by Donald Trump Jr. revealing ideas for overturning the 2020 election before it was called, the US State Department discouraging Americans to travel to China, and escalating vulnerabilities from the semiconductor shortage. Produced by: Nirma...

Apr 11, 202210 minSeason 1Ep. 43

S1E42: Budget airline’s April Fool’s prank that went wrong: Regional Round-up

Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses South-east Asia's top news developments in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' regional correspondent Leslie Lopez chats with Money FM's Elliot Danker and Bharati Jagdish. In this week's episode, we give an analysis of Malaysia's 'strict action’ against the illegal sale of RON95 petrol to foreigners, Indonesia's deployment of a 24-hour police surveillance targeting cooking oil production and distribution, and an April Fool's prank by a budget airline gone...

Apr 06, 20229 minSeason 1Ep. 42

S1E39: What is the fate of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s ‘common prosperity’ programme?: China Perspective

Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in China in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' China bureau chief Tan Dawn Wei chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliot Danker and Bharati Jagdish. In this week's episode, we discuss Beijing's reaction to the US' latest ‘warning shot’ on Chinese businesses, the country’s efforts to mend fences with its neighbours and the fate of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s ‘common prosperity’ programme. Produced by: Tan Dawn Wei ( dawntan@sph.com.sg )...

Apr 05, 20228 minSeason 1Ep. 39

S1E42: Donald Trump returns to Michigan to rally his base: Washington Report

Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in the United States in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliot Danker and Bharati Jagdish. In this week's episode, they analyse the US' plan to help transfer Soviet-made tanks to Ukraine, Donald Trump's return to Michigan to rally his base, and a historic move by the Amazon workers in New York to become the first group to vote in favour of unionising at a US facility. Prod...

Apr 04, 20229 minSeason 1Ep. 42

S1E10: In Sydney, a walk to remember: Letter From The Bureau

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 Australian correspondent Jonathan Pearlman. Highlights (click/tap above): 02:21 A new attraction in Sydney as Australia begins to allow visitors 05:36 Australia's former defence minister, John Faulkner, says the trek is a must-do ...

Mar 31, 202220 minSeason 1Ep. 10

S1E21: Will Hong Kong pivot away from its "zero-Covid" strategy? - Inside Hong Kong

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. While Hong Kong is officially clinging to a "zero-Covid" strategy, recent actions suggest it is pivoting away from that at a time when most other major global cities are learning to live with the virus. Produced by: Claire Huang ( huangjy@sph.com.sg ) & Money FM's Prime Time team Edited by: Nadiah Koh Follow Inside...

Mar 31, 20229 minSeason 1Ep. 21

S1E41: Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines' expansion of their trilateral cooperation: Regional Round-up

Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses South-east Asia's top news developments in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' regional correspondent Leslie Lopez chats with Money FM's Elliot Danker and Bharati Jagdish. In this week's episode, we give an analysis of Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines' expansion of their trilateral cooperation in an effort to bolster national security, Myanmar's top general's plan to ‘annihilate’ opposition forces, and the commencement of the Philippines and the U...

Mar 30, 20229 minSeason 1Ep. 41

S1E38: Why under-pressure China will comply with sanctions on Russia: China Perspective

Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in China in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' China bureau chief Tan Dawn Wei chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliot Danker and Bharati Jagdish. In this week's episode, they discuss how China is rejecting speculation that it might try to circumvent international sanctions against Russia, and Shanghai going back into Covid-19 lockdown, and the latest updates regarding the China Eastern Boeing 737-800 crash last week. Produced by: Tan D...

Mar 29, 20229 minSeason 1Ep. 38

S1E84: World economy now more likely to split into blocs: Asian Insider

Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times' US Bureau Chief Nirmal Ghosh presents an Asian perspective of the biggest global talking points with expert guests. In this episode, Nirmal Ghosh talks to Dr Adam Posen, the president of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, about the world of humanity and nation states breaking into blocs. 00:22 Dr Posen's view on the end of globalisation 04:23 World economy will likely split into blocs 07:38 Economists that feel threatened may have an ince...

Mar 28, 202216 minSeason 1Ep. 84

S1E41: Biden's first face-to-face meeting with Ukrainian ministers: Washington Report

Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in the United States in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliot Danker and Bharati Jagdish. In this week's episode, they discuss the intensifying personal rivalry between US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Biden's first face-to-face meeting with Ukrainian ministers since the Russian invasion. Produced by: Nirmal Ghosh ( nirmal@sph.com.sg ) &amp...

Mar 28, 202210 minSeason 1Ep. 41

S1E2: The global hunt for masks

Synopsis: This podcast series is based on selected chapters from a book, detailing Singapore’s experience battling the Covid-19 pandemic. The book - written by journalists of The Straits Times and edited by ST’s executive editor Sumiko Tan - is titled In This Together: Singapore's Covid-19 Story and is available in major bookstores now. Details online: https://www.stbooks.sg/ In this second episode of six instalments, ST's health correspondent Timothy Goh tells the story of how Singapore secretl...

Mar 27, 202220 minSeason 1Ep. 2

S1E83: Shaking up Asia - the Ukraine effect: Asian Insider

Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times' US Bureau Chief Nirmal Ghosh presents an Asian perspective of the biggest global talking points with expert guests. In this episode, Nirmal Ghosh hosts three guests to discuss the global ramifications of the war in Ukraine. Yun Sun is a Senior Fellow and co-director of the East Asia Program and director of the China Program at the Stimson Center in Washington DC. Curtis Chin is a Milken Institute Asia Fellow, and former US ambassador to the Asian Developm...

Mar 24, 202221 minSeason 1Ep. 83

S1E40: Malaysia’s plan to raise national minimum wage faces local industry protest: Regional Round-up

Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses South-east Asia's top news developments in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' regional correspondent Leslie Lopez chats with Money FM's Elliot Danker and Bharati Jagdish. In this week's episode, they analyse the protest by Malaysian industries against a government plan to raise the national minimum wage, a formal declaration by the Biden administration that Myanmar's army committed genocide against Rohingya, and Marcos Jr.'s boost of support from Rodrigo...

Mar 23, 20229 minSeason 1Ep. 40

S1E37: China’s ongoing dilemma with Russia-Ukraine conflict: China Perspective

Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in China in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' China bureau chief Tan Dawn Wei chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliot Danker and Bharati Jagdish. In this week's episode, we discuss China’s ongoing dilemma with regards to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, China’s spike in Covid-19 cases, and the latest on the Evergrande saga. Produced by: Tan Dawn Wei ( dawntan@sph.com.sg ) & Money FM's Breakfast Huddle team Edited by: Dan Koh Follow Chi...

Mar 22, 20228 minSeason 1Ep. 37

S1E40: Understanding impact of Biden-Xi call over the Ukraine crisis: Washington Report

Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in the United States in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliot Danker and Bharati Jagdish. In this week's episode, they discuss the US' informal push for Turkey to send its Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems to Ukraine, the call between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping to seek a resolution to the war in Ukraine, and Texas wildfires which forc...

Mar 21, 202210 minSeason 1Ep. 40

S1E20: Hong Kong’s battle with Covid-19: Inside Hong Kong

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. Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam said Thursday that she was mulling easing some of the city's Covid-19 restrictions due to waning public tolerance. Meanwhile, according to an estimate of the damage caused by the deadly Omicron wave, about half of Hong Kong’s 7.4 million people have already been infected with Covi...

Mar 17, 202210 minSeason 1Ep. 20
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