China marked the 70th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II with a massive military parade which was as much a celebration as it was a show of force to the rest of the world. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) and Dr James Leibold (Senior lecturer, Department of Politics and Philosophy, La Trobe University) examine the parade and the message that Xi Jinping was trying to send, both domestically and internationally. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights res...
Sep 14, 2015•21 min
Dr Jasmine-Kim Westendorf (International Relations, La Trobe University) examines the unconventional approach taken in the peace process in Nepal and how it affected the establishment and consolidation of peace. Her book "Negotiating Insecurity: Why Peace Processes Fail in Civil Wars" has just been released by Lynne Rienner Publishers. This was a guest lecture delivered to the Melbourne South Asian Study Group. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissio...
Sep 14, 2015•1 hr 8 min
The Indian Ocean is often thought of with a post World War II context, but it's had a long history prior to this when empires in the area struggled for dominance. Assoc. Professor Andrew Phillips (Reader in International Relations and Strategy, University of Queensland) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) about the early growth of empire and the beginning of European influence. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions....
Sep 01, 2015•21 min
Jo Hong-ju (Republic of Korea's Consul-General to Victoria) presents a South Korean perspective of inter-korean politics, and the fundemental divide between north and south. A “Contemporary Politics in Northeast Asia” lecture from the La Trobe University Department of Politics and Philosophy and La Trobe Asia. Introduced by Dr Benjamin Habib, (Lecturer in international relations, La Trobe University). Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions....
Aug 25, 2015•32 min
North Korea is vulnerable to climate change, and is a country vulnerable to food insecurity. It has an active relationship with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), brought on largely by a strong incentives program. Dr Benjamin Habib (International Relations, La Trobe University) speaks to Matt Smith North Korea’s climate change efforts and compliance with the UNFCCC, and explains their motives. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permis...
Aug 17, 2015•13 min
With the 70th anniversary of World War II fast approaching in the Asian region, there will be a vastly different take on how the event is celebrated, particularly the Chinese independence from Japan. Professor Nick Bisley (Director of La Trobe Asia) speaks to Matt Smith about what to expect from both China and Japan, and how the rest of the world will view the events. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.
Aug 04, 2015•20 min
East Timor is a country struggling with internal conflict, and a young democracy still struggling to assert itself after years of political turmoil. Dr Jasmine-Kim Westendorf (Lecturer in International Relations, La Trobe University) speaks to Professor Nick Bisley (Director of La Trobe Asia) about the dominant forces at work in East Timor and the news the rest of the world never hears. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions....
Jul 20, 2015•17 min
Australia has made refugee and asylum seeker issues a cornerstone of their political debate and excessive lengths have been taken to prevent asylum seekers from reaching Australia by boat. Julian Burnside (Barrister and human rights advocate) speaks to host Matt Smith about Australia's perceived asylum seeker problem and how there might be a better solution. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.
Jul 07, 2015•18 min
The population of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands have emigrated far, from Indonesia to Western Australia, but have maintained a strong community and bartered goods through the use of Facebook. In this episode of Asia Rising, Dr Nicholas Herriman (Anthropology, La Trobe University) speaks to host Matt Smith about the Cocos (Keeling) Island community and gift-giving. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.
Jun 23, 2015•17 min
A number of high profile incidents have highlighted the contested territory of the South China Seas, most provocatively China's significant land reclamation and construction activties. In this episode of Asia Rising, Linda Jakobson (Founding Director of China Matters) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) about China's controversial activities in the east and south china seas. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions....
Jun 09, 2015•19 min
After the first year of government Narendra Modi has been presented with a number of challenges, both from within his own party and on a national and international stage. In this episode of Asia Rising, Dr Ian Hall (School of Government and International Relations, Griffith University) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) about Modi's first year as Prime Minister of India. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions....
May 25, 2015•20 min
After years of civil unrest, will Nepal's struggling democracy survive the recent earthquake? In this episode of Asia Rising, Dr Jasmine-Kim Westendorf (International Relations, La Trobe University) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) about Nepal's long road to democracy and future challenges. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.
May 12, 2015•18 min
When Joko Widido won the 2014 Indonesian election with a significant popular mandate there was high expectations of the change he would bring to the office. In this episode of Asia Rising, Dr David McCrae Asia Institute, University of Melbourne) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) about the effectiveness and difficulties facing Widodo's government. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.
Apr 29, 2015•13 min
The imminent execution of two Australians by Indonesia due to drug related offenses has put a strain on relationships between the two countries, and presents challenges for the leadership of both Joko Widodo and Tony Abbott. In this episode of Asia Rising, Dr David McCrae Asia Institute, University of Melbourne) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) about the diplomatic tensions of capital punishment. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please c...
Apr 16, 2015•17 min
Regional authorities outlawed Islamic veils from all public spaces in the regional capital of China’s Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region. Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) speaks to Dr James Leibold (Senior Lecturer, Chinese Politics and Asian Studies, La Trobe University) about the provocation and likelihood of this ban succeeding. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.
Mar 02, 2015•16 min
How did Japan’s recent election play out for Shinzo Abe, and what can Japan expect from his next term? Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia) and Assistant Professor Christopher Hobson (School of Political Science and Economics, Waseda University) discuss Japanese politics and the Fukushima disaster. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.
Feb 02, 2015•19 min
Recent incidents involving surrogacy in Asian countries have shed light on a growing trend. Prospective parents are traveling to Asian countries with lower costs and less stringent laws, to engage the services of surrogate parents. Discussing this issue is a panel of experts: Professor Jenni Millbank, University of Technology, Sydney Associate Professor Andrea Whittaker, ARC Future Fellow in Anthropology in the School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Monash University Associate Professor Ker...
Jan 06, 2015•1 hr 59 min
A look at the big events in Asia in the year 2014 - the elections of Modi in India and Jokowai in Indonesia, to the military coup of Thailand, the popular protests in Hong Kong, the tension in the East China Sea and the dominance of the Chinese economy. Copyright 2014 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.
Dec 10, 2014•20 min
With Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi proving to be a big hit in Australia during the G20, Professor Nick Bisley (Excutive Director, La Trobe Asia) and Dr Ian Hall (Department of International Relations, ANU) take a look at his relationship with Australia and the impact he's making on the world stage. Copyright 2014 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.
Nov 24, 2014•23 min
Tensions between China and Japan have ratcheted up in recent years, to the point where their territorial dispute over islands in the East China Sea is seen as among the region’s most dangerous flashpoints. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) explains that insufficient attention has been given to the potential ramifications for Australia of conflict in the East China Sea. Copyright 2014 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions....
Nov 10, 2014•22 min
Will China be able to sustain the economic growth rates of the past decade? Dr Geoff Raby (former Australian Ambassador to China) on the impact of the wide ranging reform program launched by Xi Jinping on China's economy and society, and the implications for Australia. Introduced by Professor Nick Bisley as a public lecture for La Trobe Asia. Copyright 2014 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.
Nov 03, 2014•1 hr 24 min
Hong Kong is currently experiencing protests caused by public disagreements over changes to how the Chief Executive of Hong Kong will be selected. In this episode of Asia Rising, Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) speaks to Dr James Leibold (Senior Lecturer, Chinese Politics and Asian Studies, La Trobe University) look at the development of the popular protests in Hong Kong and how they might play out.
Oct 06, 2014•19 min
During his first year of office, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has conducted a surprisingly energetic and focused foreign policy. He's visited a number of countries in the Asian region and furthered Australia's interests by signing fair trade agreements with Japan and South Korea, as well as making progress in relationships with both China and India. In this episode of Asia Rising, Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) speaks to host Matt Smith about Abbott's interactions with ...
Sep 18, 2014•19 min
On 22 July Joko Widodo was formally announced as the winner of Indonesia’s closely fought presidential election. Although Indonesia has enjoyed democratic rule since 1998, this is the first time one elected leader has been replaced by another. A fine result in a difficult year for democracy in Asia. The new president is clearly well liked, but he has considerable challenges to tackle. Dr Dirk Tomsa Dr Dirk Tomsa (Politics and International Relations at La Trobe University) and Dr David McRae, (A...
Aug 26, 2014•1 hr 13 min
Japan has taken a more energised approach on the global stage in recent years, particularly under the leadership of the current Prime Minister, Shinzō Abe. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director of La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) and Dr David Envall (Department of International Relations, Australian National University) look at Japan's emerging place in Asia, and the relationship it has with foreign powers. A La Trobe Asia podcast. Copyright 2014 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. ...
Aug 01, 2014•19 min
On the 22nd May 2014 the Royal Thai Armed forces led by General Prayuth Chan-ocha launched a coup against the democratically elected government government, dissolved the senate and stabled a Junta to govern the nation. Since that time there's been a clampdown on freedom of speech and expression, there's a curfew in place, and while a return to democracy is promised there's uncertainty as to when this will happen. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director of La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) di...
Jul 08, 2014•15 min
Alongside China and India, Brazil is an emerged economic giant. It is also custodian of a large part of the environmentally sensitive Amazon Basin. Home to an extraordinary hybrid culture that unites Indigenous, European and African influences, Brazil is world-renowned for its dynamic music, dance and food. Soon, Brazil will play host to the World Cup and then Rio will be home to the Olympics in 2016. These two sporting events are historically significant but they also highlight the social issue...
Jun 09, 2014•49 min
North Korea is one of the region's most enigmatic states. It is one of the poorest states in Asia, yet is well on its way to developing a nuclear weapon. It has long sought isolation from the outside world, yet it is opening up more special economic zones. And its cult of personality around the Kim family dynasty seems at times almost a self-parody. The transition of power to the third generation of the Kim family was completed with the public purging of Jang Son-thaek in December 2013. Six mont...
Jun 02, 2014•50 min
Narendra Modi won a landslide victory with the BJP in the 2014 Indian election. In this La Trobe Asia podcast, Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director of La Trobe Asia) and Dr Ian Woolford (Head of Hindi and South Asian Studies, La Trobe University) present a wrap-up of Indian politics focussing on: - The outcome of the election and the position of the previously ruling Congress Party - The kind of government and direction that India can expect under Modi - The role of social media in the elec...
May 23, 2014•18 min
In contemporary South Asia, conflict is an all too frequent feature of life. As in other parts of Asia, increasingly these are intra-state conflicts which present distinctive challenges for policy-makers and citizenry. Perhaps the greatest of these is how to transform a situation of protracted conflict into a lasting and sustainable peace. There have been many efforts to negotiate settlements but these often fail either to bring about a cessation of violence or to create the foundations of a sta...
Apr 02, 2014•1 hr 8 min
