Best Korea Economic Institute Podcasts (2024)

1
Japan’s intelligence capabilities with Professor Richard J Samuels, Professor Kotani Ken and Hosaka Sanshiro 1:05:30

2d ago1:05:30

1:05:30

Robert Ward hosts Richard J Samuels, Ford International Professor of Political Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Kotani Ken, Professor at Nihon University in Japan, and Hosaka Sanshiro, Research Fellow at the International Centre for Defence and Security and PhD student at the University of Tartu. Robert, Richard, Ken and Sanshi…

1
UK 2024 general election: Another one bites the dust? Or too hard to say I am sorry? 1:09:33

5d ago1:09:33

1:09:33

We discuss the huge Labour party victory and the calamitous Conservative party defeat in the UK general election of 2024.By Institute for Indo-Pacific Affairs

1
Fallout of the Biden/Trump debate, Russia-North Korea defense pact, China feared and US humble 1:16:15

12d ago1:16:15

1:16:15

We discuss the fallout of the Biden/Trump debate for our region, is Plan B now Plan A? Putin and Kim Jong-Un signed a mutual defense pact, what are the implications for regional security? ISEAS study that re-analysed the Southeast Asian survey and inferred that China's power is recognised but feared meanwhile NYT article suggests that US is a more …

1
NZ's "independent" foreign policy? Modi's Taiwan overtures? The end of petrodollars? 1:26:47

27d ago1:26:47

1:26:47

What is independent about NZ's independent foreign policy? Is it myth or reality? Is it tautological? Does using the term prevent true discussion of NZ's foreign policy direction? Modi's response to a congratulatory message from Taiwan's president drew the expected protest from the PRC. Are there meanings behind these overtures? Saudi and US are en…

1
Japan and the EU with Professor Iwama Yoko, Professor Guibourg Delamotte and Dr Alexandra Sakaki    56:53

30d ago56:53

56:53

Robert Ward hosts Iwama Yoko, Professor at Japan's National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Guibourg Delamotte, Professor of Political Science at the Japanese Studies Department of the French Institute of Oriental Studies (Inalco), and Dr Alexandra Sakaki, Deputy Head of the Asia Division at the German Institute for International and…

1
Shangri-La dialogue wrap up, India's surprise election result, and North Korean trash balloons 1:17:10

1M ago1:17:10

1:17:10

This episode begins with our impressions of the just concluded Shangri-La dialogue in Singapore. India's election results are in and Modi's party requires the support of other parties to form a majority. What are the implications of this surprising election outcome? North Korea has been flying trash balloons across their southern border and now a r…

1
Divine Modi? Dangerous rhetoric in Indian election, Marcos Jr draws a red line, and Trump convicted 1:22:59

1M ago1:22:59

1:22:59

India's election is seeing dangerous rhetoric of anti-Muslim and heightened Hindu nationalism as well as the spectacular claims of Modi speaking to God. In a speech at the recent Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, has Philippine president Bongbong Marcos inadvertently drew a red line in the Philippine-China skirmishes in the South China Sea (West Ph…

1
Economic limits to US exceptionalism, undermining rules based order, UK election 1:10:02

2M ago1:10:02

1:10:02

Excellent essay on the macroeconomic limits of US exceptionalism and what it means for the increasingly protectionist global trading regime and the resurgence of mercantilism. Is the US undermining the rules based order that it was a chief architect and proponent of in the post-WW2 period? A rain-drenched UK PM Rishi Sunak announced an earlier than…

1
UK to out-cooperate in foreign affairs, Putin-Xi meeting, Indian spies in Australia, spy for a mayor? 1:10:59

2M ago1:10:59

1:10:59

Lord Cameron calls UK to out-cooperate, out-compete, and out-innovate in foreign affairs. What does it mean in action? Xi rolls out the red carpet for Putin. Is this still a partnership of equals? India has been accused by Australia for operating a spy network. India acting like a great power? A small town mayor in the Philippines is suspected of b…

1
Japan and North Korea with Professor Chris Hughes, Dr Naoko Aoki and Joseph Dempsey 45:17

2M ago45:17

45:17

Robert Ward hosts Chris Hughes, Professor of International Politics and Japanese Studies at the University of Warwick, Dr Naoko Aoki , Associate Political Scientist at the RAND Corporation, and Joseph Dempsey, Research Associate for Defence and Military Analysis at the IISS. Robert, Chris, Naoko and Joseph discuss Japan and North Korea: Japan’s dip…

1
Misunderstanding Asian states and Democracy, Autocracy and the State of the World 1:05:41

2M ago1:05:41

1:05:41

A May 2, 2024 article published in Foreign Affairs examines the problem of misunderstanding of the Asian states and how they position themselves in the context of great power competition. This fundamental misread of the Asian states is showing in the 'one size fits all' foreign policies of major powers towards Asia...particularly Southeast Asia. In…

1
Double-standard in foreign policy? Most revolutionary period in history? 59:25

3M ago59:25

59:25

Norway's deputy foreign minister rebuts accusations about double-standard in foreign policy of Western countries and argues that at least in the case of Norway they have tried to be consistent in their foreign policy. Is it easier for smaller states to be consistent? Is it more difficult for major powers engaging in multiple issue dimensions to be …

1
Japan’s maritime security policy in the Indo-Pacific with Professor Alessio Patalano, Veerle Nouwens and Nick Childs 56:38

3M ago56:38

56:38

Robert Ward hosts Alessio Patalano, Professor of War & Strategy in East Asia at the Department of War Studies, King’s College London, Veerle Nouwens, the Executive Director of IISS-Asia, and Nick Childs, the IISS Senior Fellow for Naval Forces and Maritime Security. Robert, Alessio, Veerle, and Nick discuss Japan’s maritime security policy in the I…

1
Iran retaliates against Israel and Post-Globalization, Mercantilism 2.0, and the Three Body Problem 51:11

3M ago51:11

51:11

Iran retaliates against Israel for bombing its Damascus consulate. Will this expand the Middle East conflict? How does it impact on the Indo-Pacific region? What does it mean for international order? What does it say about the hegemon's management of the international order? Biden administration has doubled-down on the trade policies that started w…

1
The State of Southeast Asia 2024 Survey Report and Some News Updates 1:08:03

3M ago1:08:03

1:08:03

ISEAS of Singapore released its recent State of the Southeast Asia 2024 Survey Report that is available from their website. We chat about some of the interesting findings from this longitudinal public opinion poll. We also give an update to the big news items that we are following since the start of 2024.…

1
Moscow terror attack, China's economic headaches, democracy index, and bible salesman 56:28

4M ago56:28

56:28

ISIS launched a terror attack in Moscow and Russia failed to heed warnings given by the US. Non-state actors are rearing its ugly head on global politics again at a time when appetite for global cooperation is low. China's economy is stagnating but the reform required to switch its economy to be domestic demand driven is hard to come by. India want…

1
Mr. Peters goes to New Delhi and Southeast Asia and China's FM Wang Yi drops by Wellington 1:07:34

4M ago1:07:34

1:07:34

NZ Foreign Affairs minister Winston Peters recently visited India and Southeast Asia. Is this NZ's version of de-risking and diversification of its relationships in the region? China's Foreign Affairs minister Wang Yi visited Wellington very recently. What is the significance of this meeting?By Institute for Indo-Pacific Affairs

1
Japan and the Russia-Ukraine War with Professor Higashino Atsuko, Professor James D.J. Brown and Dr Nigel Gould-Davies 49:47

4M ago49:47

49:47

In the second episode of Japan Memo season 4, Robert Ward hosts Higashino Atsuko, a Professor at the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Tsukuba, James Brown, a Professor of political science at Temple University, Japan campus, and Dr Nigel Gould-Davies, the IISS Senior Fellow for Russia and Eurasia. Robert, Atsuko, Jam…

1
What are Domestic Politics Doing to the U.S.-Korea Alliance? 1:01:00

4M ago1:01:00

1:01:00

In April 2023, the United States and South Korea marked the 70th anniversary of an alliance that has served the strategic interests of both countries. Their relationship has expanded beyond security issues to include trade, technology, and other important policy areas. However, the alliance now faces challenges from changing notions of national int…

1
Prabowo presidency in Indonesia and Taylor Swift's concerts in Singapore 48:00

4M ago48:00

48:00

Prabowo Subianto has claimed a huge win in the Indonesian presidential elections but faced a fragmented legislature. What are the challenges that a Prabowo presidency faces? What are the implications to ASEAN relations and Indonesia's relations with China and the US? News of Singapore's subsidy for exclusive shows of Taylor Swift's Era Tour in Sout…

1
Charting China’s Use of Armed Coercion: James Siebens (Part 2) 40:47

4M ago40:47

40:47

Building on last year’s "Rethinking Korea initiative," in 2024 KEI will continue to explore the evolution of US-Korea relations, Korea's place in the world, rapid changes in Korean society, and a fast changing geopolitical and strategic landscape. The initiative involves both retrospective inquiry as well as prospective analysis about future trends…

1
Charting China’s Use of Armed Coercion: James Siebens (Part 1) 45:38

5M ago45:38

45:38

Building on last year’s "Rethinking Korea initiative," in 2024 KEI will continue to explore the evolution of US-Korea relations, Korea's place in the world, rapid changes in Korean society, and a fast changing geopolitical and strategic landscape. The initiative involves both retrospective inquiry as well as prospective analysis about future trends…

1
Japan’s relationship with ASEAN with Professor Sato Yoichiro, Aaron Connelly and Evan Laksmana 42:41

5M ago42:41

42:41

Robert, Professor Sato, Aaron, and Evan discuss Japan’s relationship with ASEAN. Topics discussed include: Japan’s shifting diplomatic and economic relationship with ASEAN amid the rapid growth of ASEAN countries; Japan-ASEAN security relationship in the increasingly complicated geopolitical landscape in the region; Japan’s defence policy in ASEAN …

1
Where are North Korea's Relations with Russia Headed? 57:15

5M ago57:15

57:15

For the first time since the end of the Cold War, North Korea has embraced relations with Russia as a key component of its foreign policy and domestic development. However, Russia’s need for North Korean artillery and weapons to conduct its war in Ukraine also create a different dynamic between the two countries than during the Cold War. This new d…

1
AUS-NZ Ministerial meetings, Indonesian election cartoons, spy pigeons, Nevada primary 44:03

5M ago44:03

44:03

ANZMIN 2+2 is the first ministerial level consultations between NZ and Australian foreign affairs and defense ministers. The joint statement of the ANZMIN released by the NZ government marks a clear shift in NZ's explicit posturing regards to AUKUS, QUAD, and Indo-Pacific issues. Indonesia's presidential election will be held on 14 February, the us…

1
The U.S.-ROK-DPRK Strategic Triangle in the Indo-Pacific Era 1:00:04

5M ago1:00:04

1:00:04

On August 17, 2023, KEI held a program on the U.S.-South Korea-North Korea Strategic Triangle in the Indo-Pacific Era. The program featured Scott Snyder’s work to help better understand: the evolution in perceptions of the three main actors in the U.S.-South Korea-North Korea triangle, including their respective approaches to one another and intera…

1
How Can Korea and Australia Cooperate in the Indo-Pacific? 1:00:36

5M ago1:00:36

1:00:36

On August 30, 2023, KEI hosted a discussion with Prof. Rory Medcalf on South Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and Middle Power Convergence with Australia. Over the past decade, the concept of the “Indo-Pacific” has replaced the late 20th century “Asia-Pacific” as a central frame of reference for strategy and external policy. Although the Indo-Pacific …

1
Energy Insecurity: How Resource-Poor Korea and Japan Powered Their Economies 57:00

6M ago57:00

57:00

Despite being industrial powerhouses, Korea and Japan are both resource-poor nations with limited domestic sources of energy. Powering their economies required both to develop supply chains for fossil fuels, nuclear power, and renewable energy to power their economies. However, different domestic political constraints resulted in differing approach…

1
Taiwan's 2024 elections: democracy has won, the people have spoken, now what's next 55:14

6M ago55:14

55:14

Taiwan's presidential and legislative elections was successfully held on 13 January 2024. With the world's attention focus on this election, the election returned a third presidential term for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) but it failed to retain its legislative majority. Taiwan will have a divided government for the next four years…

1
The Costs of War: Deepening North Korea-Russia Ties 1:10:23

6M ago1:10:23

1:10:23

Relations between Russia and North Korea are growing closer. Pyongyang has been publically supportive of Russia’s war in Ukraine and is reported to have supplied Moscow with millions of artillery shells. Kim Jong-un met with Vladimir Putin at Vostochny Cosmodrome and discussed deepening their military relationship and providing Russia with addition…

1
Economic Security and U.S.-China Competition: The View From North Korea 1:01:03

6M ago1:01:03

1:01:03

KEI is pleased to hold a program on Economic Security and U.S.-China Competition: The View From North Korea. One country is conspicuously missing from existing discussions about the dilemmas and opportunities that U.S.-China strategic competition poses to various stakeholders in matters related to global economic security: North Korea. North Korea …

1
Attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and what to watch out for in 2024 57:49

6M ago57:49

57:49

Attacks on shipping in the Red Sea by the Houthis threaten to add more stress to the vulnerable global supply chains and unravel the anti-inflationary economic policies of countries around the world. A joint statement released by the White House and signed by many leading nations including New Zealand condemn the attacks on Red Sea shipping. These …

1
Rhetoric Vs. Reality: Seoul and Washington’s Strategic Alignment on Taiwan 56:01

6M ago56:01

56:01

Seoul has gradually adopted a more outspoken position regarding the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and framed it in increasingly expansive terms—as a regional and global issue yet also directly linked to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula. Nevertheless, the U.S.-ROK alliance faces a gap between such rhetoric and…

1
Korea’s Cultural Wave: The Story Behind the Strength 1:14:45

7M ago1:14:45

1:14:45

From K-pop to K-drama and food, Korean culture has taken the globe by storm. Korean artists are topping the Billboard charts, Korean films are winning Oscars, and Korean kimbap at Trader Joe’s went viral online. Cultural interest is also behind the growth of students learning Korean in the United States when interest in foreign languages is going d…

1
South Korea: Caught in the Crosshairs of U.S. China Competition Over Semiconductors 1:03:04

7M ago1:03:04

1:03:04

Countries with advanced semiconductor industries are caught in the middle of growing U.S.-China competition in technology focused on advanced computing. While some countries with key technology companies in the toolmaking sector have been drawn into the competition previously, South Korea and its national champions, Samsung and SK Hynix, have argua…

1
The ROK-U.S. Alliance at 70: Expanding Diplomatic Horizons Through Public Diplomacy 1:29:33

7M ago1:29:33

1:29:33

The United States and the Republic of Korea have been celebrating the 70th anniversary of the alliance and the 120th anniversary of Korean immigration to the United States throughout 2023. Along with our military and economic partnership, people-to-people ties have served as a central pillar of our multifaceted relationship. Both those who have pra…

1
What We Know and Don’t Know about North Korea 46:06

7M ago46:06

46:06

The recent war in Ukraine, Russia’s overtures towards North Korea, and North Korea’s emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic all signal a sea-change for the DPRK’s place in the international system. KEI Economic Policy Analyst Tom Ramage sat down with SOAS University of London professor and North Korea expert Hazel Smith to discuss the recent Putin-Ki…

1
Abe’s Speeches and Grand Strategy with Professor Taniguchi Tomohiko 47:17

7M ago47:17

47:17

In the twelfth episode of Japan Memo Season 3, Robert Ward and Yuka Koshino host Professor Taniguchi Tomohiko, a Visiting Professor at Takushoku University's Institute of World Studies and a Senior Fellow at the Alliance of the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies and former Special Advisor to Prime Minister Abe's Cabinet and also as a Co…

1
Japan’s relationship with the Middle East with Professor Tanaka Koichiro and Hasan Alhasan 39:32

8M ago39:32

39:32

In the eleventh episode of Japan Memo Season 3, Robert Ward and Togashi Mariko host Professor Tanaka Koichiro, a professor at the Graduate School of Media and Governance at Keio University, and Dr Hasan Alhasan, Research Fellow for Middle East Policy at the IISS. Robert, Mariko, Professor Tanaka, and Hasan discuss Japan’s relationship with the Midd…

1
Biden-Xi face to face meeting ahead of APEC Summit in San Francisco: Is this a meeting of two desperados? 45:07

8M ago45:07

45:07

US President Biden and Chinese President Xi had a first ever in person meeting in three years of Biden's administration. Sino-US relations have deteriorated since 2017 with Trump's America First and MAGA foreign policies and Biden administration has doubled down on what the Trump administration's China policy. With the weak economic performance of …

1
Jokowi’s legacy, Indonesia’s regional leadership potential, Modi and India’s Middle East policy 1:00:26

8M ago1:00:26

1:00:26

The Economist published two articles that caught our attention one titled "What will Indonesia look like after Jokowi leaves?" and a second one titled "Narendra Modi has shifted India from the Palestinians to Israel." These two countries have great potential to take up more leadership position in the Indo-Pacific but something seems to be holding t…

1
New Economic Security State or New Great Power Protectionism 50:02

9M ago50:02

50:02

In the October 19th issue of Foreign Affairs, an essay about the so-called New Economic Security State explains how the Biden Administration and its national security chief conceptualizes the relationship between market, economy, and national security. This 'new' thinking is supposed to recalibrate the excesses of globalization and faith on the mar…

1
From K-Pop to K-Beauty: KEI at KCON 36:56

9M ago36:56

36:56

In 2023, KEI has set out on its "Rethinking Korea initiative," which explores the evolution of U.S.-Korea relations, Korea's place in the world, and rapid changes in Korean society itself. The initiative involves both retrospective inquiry as well as prospective analysis about future trends. Today, we will be discussing the growing popularity of K-…

1
Japan’s policy towards Grey-Zone activities in the Indo-Pacific with Professor Kotani Tetsuo and Lynn Kuok 29:04

9M ago29:04

29:04

In the tenth episode of Japan Memo Season 3, Robert Ward and Yuka Koshino host Professor Kotani Tetsuo, a professor of global studies at Meikai University and a senior fellow at the Japan Institute of International Affairs; and Dr Lynn Kuok, Shangri-La Dialogue Senior Fellow for Asia-Pacific Security at the IISS. Robert, Yuka, Tetsuo, and Lynn disc…

1
NZ General Election 2023 and the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza 1:05:33

9M ago1:05:33

1:05:33

The results of the New Zealand General Election of 14 October 2023 are in. The incumbent Labour government was resoundingly defeated by the centre-right National Party. National will be able to form a two-party coalition with another party to its right, ACT. What does this mean for NZ's foreign policy, defense, and strategic policies? The Middle Ea…

1
South Korea and Global Public Health Beyond the Pandemic: Dr. Jerome Kim 50:11

9M ago50:11

50:11

In 2023, KEI has set out on its "Rethinking Korea initiative," which explores the evolution of U.S.-Korea relations, Korea's place in the world, and rapid changes in Korean society itself. The initiative involves both retrospective inquiry as well as prospective analysis about future trends. As part of this initiative, KEI looks to build upon its p…

1
Another one bites the dust? Prickly toes? Putin-Kim bromance? A brewing India-Canada diplomatic row? 59:47

10M ago59:47

59:47

China's defense minister Li Shangfu has not been seen and there are speculation that he has been sacked and being investigated for corruption. This is the second disappearance and sacking of senior ministers handpicked by President Xi. So is President Xi really the strongman that we think he is? Ex-foreign minister of Singapore waded into the China…

1
The more the merrier: ASEAN Jakarta Summit, G20 New Delhi Summit, Xi Jinping no-show 1:02:47

10M ago1:02:47

1:02:47

ASEAN just concluded its Jakarta summit while Indian PM Modi is hosting the G20 summit in New Delhi. With the geopolitical and geoeconomics tension in the region, is ASEAN still a relevant player? While India is relishing in the limelight hosting the G20 summit one talking point is the absence of China's Xi Jinping. Interestingly, the proliferation…

1
Japan and the Global South with Ambassador Chinoy and Ambassador Ishii 47:16

10M ago47:16

47:16

In the ninth episode of Japan Memo season 3, Robert Ward and Yuka Koshino host Ambassador Sujan Chinoy, the Director General of the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) in New Delhi who served as the Indian ambassador to Japan from 2015 to 2018; and Ambassador Masafumi Ishii, a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Gakus…

1
Building Trilateral Momentum: The U.S.-Korea-Japan Summit 1:55:33

11M ago1:55:33

1:55:33

Event Description: With relations between Korea and Japan improving over the last year the leaders of the United States, Korea, and Japan met in Washington on August 18 to discuss a common approach for addressing regional and global security challenges and enhancing economic prosperity. KEI and the Mansfield Foundation hosted a discussion on the pr…

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