In this Tea Leaves episode, Kurt and Rich chat with Fred Hochberg, former Chairman of the U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM) about how the historical underpinnings of tariffs, the role of the EXIM Bank and how it will play a more significant role in the post-COVID environment, and the role of U.S. international economic policy. The three also talk about Washington’s trade policies in the context of the U.S. service economy. To access the full video of the conversation, please visit: https://theasiag...
Jun 08, 2020•33 min
In this Tea Leaves episode, Rich talks with Tanvi Madan from Brookings Institute about the roots of India’s complex relationship with China and its role in shaping U.S.-India relations during the Cold War. Tanvi and Rich also talk about the implications of China-Russia and China-Pakistan defense relations on Indian foreign policy and Indian perceptions of U.S. reliability and the renewed rise in U.S.-China tensions. To access the video of the full conversation, please visit: https://theasiagroup...
May 26, 2020•44 min
In the first of a series of Tea Leaves’ remote recording sessions as The Asia Group practices social distancing, Kurt and Rich discuss the latest on the coronavirus outbreak. Kurt shares some of his thoughts on how COVID-19 could be a “Suez Moment” for U.S. leadership on the world stage, while Rich assesses Washington’s economic and political response to the crisis and shares his thoughts on India’s response to date.
May 10, 2020•24 min
In this Tea Leaves episode, Kurt sits down with Tom Nides, a Managing Partner and Vice Chairman of Morgan Stanley and former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources. Kurt and Tom discuss the latest on the coronavirus outbreak, long-term prospects for foreign investment banks and other financial institutions in the Indo-Pacific, and Tom’s deep experience in both the private sector and in the U.S. government.
Mar 09, 2020•31 min
In 2012, Jean Lee opened the AP’s bureau in Pyongyang – becoming the first international news organization with a full-time presence North Korea in words, pictures, and video. In this latest Tea Leaves episode, Jean sits down with Kurt and The Asia Group Senior Advisor Ambassador Joe Yun. The three discuss Jean’s number of years living in North Korea and the unique on-the-ground insights that she gained on North Korean politics, culture, and society.
Feb 18, 2020•37 min
In this Tea Leaves episode, Kurt chats with Dr. Joseph Nye, one of the leading thinkers on U.S. foreign policy and grand strategy, about morality and leadership in foreign affairs and the state of the Indo-Pacific. The two also examine the evolution of the U.S.-China-Japan relationship since the Clinton era and how the United States should approach China.
Feb 03, 2020•27 min
Kurt and Rich sit down with former Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral John Richardson on this Tea Leaves episode. Admiral Richardson shares what it was like being CNO, his thoughts on military discipline and learning from mistakes, and the state of the Navy today. The three also discuss the Pentagon’s reaction to recent events in the Middle East and in Iran, as well as how the United States’ naval capabilities compare with China’s.
Jan 21, 2020•32 min
In this Tea Leaves episode, Kurt sits down with leading South Asia foreign policy and defense experts Ashley Tellis, Admiral John Richardson, and Alyssa Ayres in a discussion at the Atlantic Council to discuss the U.S.-India relationship and India’s future role in the region amid a rising China.
Jan 06, 2020•22 min
"He was the most famous, and arguably the most beloved man in the world in the decade of the 1950s. And yet he always found a way to say, 'your work is more important than what I’m doing.'” Sixty years ago, on December 11, 1959, U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower during his historic visit to India gave a speech that makes reference to the world in 2019. This Tea Leaves episode covers a panel discussion commemorating that moment in history, co-hosted by The Asia Group at the Atlantic Council betwee...
Dec 23, 2019•23 min
Piper Stover, CEO and co-founder of BINC Technologies, sits down with Kurt and Rich in this latest Tea Leaves episode. The three discuss U.S.-China technological competition, domestic Chinese political sentiment, and Piper’s extensive career in the tech space in both China and the United States.
Dec 02, 2019•32 min
Amy Searight, Senior Advisor and Director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), joins Kurt and Rich on this latest episode of Tea Leaves. Amy shares her observations about the geopolitical and macroeconomic dynamics that are animating the Southeast Asia region today. The three also discuss Southeast Asia’s evolving perceptions of Trump’s leadership, the future of ASEAN, and U.S. messaging to its strategic partners in the Pacific Islands regio...
Nov 18, 2019•34 min
Originally aired on September 3, 2018.As chairman and CEO of Cisco, John Chambers guided the company to $47 billion in revenue and developed a reputation as one of the tech industry’s most successful and impressive leaders. In this episode, Rich joins Chambers in the heart of Silicon Valley to discuss Chambers’ upbringing in West Virginia and how he worked his way to become a tech titan. The two tackle questions related to how technology can transform communities and ways that countries can capi...
Nov 04, 2019•33 min
In this Tea Leaves episode, Kurt and Rich sit down with John Gans, Director of Communications and Research for Perry World House and former chief speechwriter to Secretary of Defense Ash Carter at the Pentagon. Kurt and Rich chat with John about his new book, “White House Warriors: How the National Security Council Transformed the American Way of War” and dive into the inner workings of the National Security Council (NSC).
Oct 21, 2019•35 min
In this Tea Leaves episode, Kurt and Rich speak with the Asia Group Partner and U.S. Ambassador (ret.) Kurt Tong about his recent post as U.S. Consul General for Hong Kong and Macau. Kurt shares his thoughts on some of the forces behind the Hong Kong protests and helps untangle the city’s complex political and cultural dynamics.
Oct 07, 2019•28 min
In this episode of Tea Leaves, Kurt and Rich sit down with Dr. Michael Fullilove, Executive Director of the Lowy Institute, Australia’s leading think tank based in Sydney. Michael, a renowned expert on Australian foreign policy, discusses Australia’s complicated relationship with China, Australian domestic politics, and how Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison can establish a solid relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump while advancing Australia’s foreign policy interests.
Sep 25, 2019•34 min
In this episode of Tea Leaves, Kurt and Rich discuss the great unsolved mystery of the Pacific – the disappearance of famed explorer and aviator Amelia Earhart. Kurt also shares his involvement in the search for Amelia Earhart’s Lockheed Electra plane as well as the mission that is currently underway on Nikumaroro Island.
Sep 09, 2019•26 min
In this episode of Tea Leaves, Kurt and Rich are joined by Julianne (“Julie”) Smith, an expert on transatlantic issues and adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). The three discuss Julie’s experiences in the national security field as a woman, the complexities of Europe’s multifaceted relationship with Beijing, and the European perspective towards the Trump administration.
Aug 26, 2019•38 min
In this episode of Tea Leaves, Kurt and Rich continue the discussion with Jake Sullivan about U.S.-China strategic competition and where it’s headed, Jake’s travels with Secretary Clinton, his take on the 2016 campaign, and the Democratic Party moving forward.
Aug 11, 2019•25 min
In this first portion of a two-part Tea Leaves conversation, Kurt and Rich sit down with Jake Sullivan, former National Security Advisory to Vice President Joe Biden and former Policy Planning Director at the State Department. The three discuss Jake’s views on what a modern Democratic foreign policy strategy looks like, his involvement in the Iran nuclear deal, and his career beginnings.
Jul 28, 2019•28 min
In this episode of Tea Leaves, Kurt and Rich sit down with Kelly Magsamen, the Vice President for National Security and International Policy at the Center for American Progress. The three discuss Kelly’s early interest in national security, her experience in the Pentagon and the National Security Council, and her work at the Center for American Progress.
Jul 01, 2019•34 min
In this episode of Tea Leaves, Kurt and Rich sit down with Ashley Tellis, the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and a senior adviser at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and former senior adviser to the ambassador at the U.S.
Jun 17, 2019•29 min
In this latest episode of Tea Leaves, Kurt and Rich sit down with Admiral Mike Mullen (ret.) to hear about the Admiral’s experiences in the military and his role as 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Jun 03, 2019•34 min
As part of Tea Leaves’ mission to highlight rising young voices, Kurt sits down with Ali Wyne, a policy analyst at the RAND Corporation, for a conversation about U.S.-China relations and America’s role in the world.
May 20, 2019•31 min
Ben Rhodes, the former deputy national security advisor for President Barack Obama, joins Kurt and Rich to discuss the challenges facing the United States in Asia. Ben shares insights from his experience planning President Obama’s foreign trips and cha...
May 06, 2019•35 min
Michael Morell, the former acting director of the Central Intelligence Agency, joins Kurt and Rich to discuss China, Pakistan, and the role of the U.S. intelligence community. Morell shares experiences from more than 30 years working at the CIA and ins...
Apr 23, 2019•42 min
In this special episode of Tea Leaves, Kurt and Rich sit down with Dr. Siddharth Mohandas, The Asia Group’s director of research, to discuss the firm’s groundbreaking Asia Power Trends report. The three talk about the changing role of the United States...
Apr 08, 2019•30 min
In this second episode in our two part series, Kurt and Rich continue their conversation with former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns. Together they discuss Burns’ new book, The Back Channel: A Memoir of American Diplomacy and the Case for Its...
Mar 25, 2019•33 min
In this first episode in a two part series, Kurt and Rich sit down with former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns to discuss the changing role of U.S. diplomacy, Burns’ newest book, The Back Channel: A Memoir of American Diplomacy and the Case f...
Mar 12, 2019•29 min
In this latest episode of Tea Leaves, Rich sits down with C. Raja Mohan in Singapore to discuss shifting dynamics between the United States and India and the changing geopolitical balance as China looms ever larger in the international scene.
Feb 25, 2019•34 min
In this episode, Kurt and Rich welcome U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Mike McDevitt (ret.) to the Tea Leaves studio to chat about his experiences serving in the U.S. Navy and his career focus on U.S. defense and security strategy in the Asia-Pacific.
Feb 11, 2019•31 min
