Dialogues at Fulcrum

In this episode, Dr William Choong, Managing Editor of Fulcrum, and Dr Jayant Menon, Senior Fellow at ISEAS, talk to Prof Sophal Ear, Associate Professor at the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University, about the political transition in Cambodia.

Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute. For quick reference, the themes below were discussed:

2:34 – Reflections on the historic political transition from long-serving Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen to his son, Hun Manet

9:55 – Will fairly widespread instances of dynastic succession in Cambodia constitute a concern?

15:46 – Will Cambodia become a more inclusive society under Hun Manet?

23:57 – The direction of Cambodia-China relations going forward

31:30 – Cambodia’s astute handling of its role as ASEAN Chair in 2022

35:40 – Will there be changes in Cambodia’s economic policy?

49:38 – The implications of the Ream naval base

Prof Ear lectures on global political economy, international organisations, and regional management in Asia. He wrote and narrated the award-winning documentary film "The End/ Beginning: Cambodia" based on his 2009 TED Talk and has appeared in five other documentaries. A graduate of Princeton and Berkeley, he moved to the U.S. from France as a Cambodian refugee at the age of 10.

In this dialogue, which follows on his May 16th podcast, “Defining Tests for UMNO, Anwar and the Unity Government”, Khairy Jamaluddin discusses the main arena of those defining tests: the August 12th Peninsular state elections (PRN2023). Khairy speaks with Fulcrum editor Dr Lee Hwok Aun and Dr Francis Hutchinson, both Senior Fellows at ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute, about the outcomes and implications of PRN2023. The Perikatan Nasional coalition dominated in the three Northern Malay states, while the PH-BN Unity coalition of coalitions retained the three more ethnically mixed states on the west coast– with significant ground ceded to PN. The dialogue considers the continuities and changes we can expect in Malaysian federal and state politics. Khairy is a Visiting Senior Fellow at ISEAS, and was a three-time member of Malaysia’s parliament representing Rembau. He has served as Minister of Youth and Sports; Science, Technology and Innovation; and Health.

2:15 – Ground-level observations of PN (Bersatu) and PH-BN (UMNO) campaigns

8:24 – Election results: any effect on Khairy joining/rejoining either party?

9:52 – Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s strategic options to win Malay support

15:18 – What do Perikatan Nasional’s sweeping wins in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu say about Malay politics and the PAS-Bersatu alliance?

19:19 – Generational change in PAS: The roles of Sanusi Md Nor in Kedah and Samsuri Mokhtar in Terengganu going forward

23:23 – PH-BN leaders and Menteris Besar: Who made a mark on PRN2023?

26:02 – How well did PH-BN collaborate in PRN2023 and what lessons should the Unity government take moving forward?

28:39 – Is the PN surge still an anti-UMNO protest or has PN secured a base?

32:13 – What next for UMNO? Is Zahid Hamidi’s discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) a boon or bane?

35:12 – Anwar Ibrahim administration: Political implications of PRN2023 and signature policies

In this episode, William Choong, managing editor of Fulcrum, talks to James Crabtree, executive director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (Asia), the London-headquartered think tank which runs the annual Shangri-La Dialogue. Held annually, the Dialogue covers a broad range of regional security issues. This year, the focus will likely be on the state of Sino-U.S. relations. Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. For quick reference, the themes below were discussed:

1:51 – Expectations about the 2023 Shangri-La Dialogue

3:45 – China's representation at the Dialogue

7:09 – Interactions between the IISS and the People's Liberation Army 

10:45 – Taking the pulse of Sino-U.S. relations

16:11 – Highlights of the 2023 Shangri-La Dialogue

19:37 – The keynote address by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

25:02 – Discussion topics at the Dialogue

29:13 – Concluding thoughts

Fulcrum editor Dr Lee Hwok Aun and Dr Francis Hutchinson, both Senior Fellows at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, speak with Khairy Jamaluddin on a broad range of Malaysian political and policy issues. Six months after the 15th general election, UMNO, Prime Minister Anwar, and the unity government are each facing distinct challenges that will test their ability to reform, govern, contest state elections, and sustain the ruling coalition.

Khairy is a Visiting Senior Fellow at ISEAS, and was three-time member of Malaysia’s parliament representing Rembau. He has served as Minister of Youth and Sports; Science, Technology and Innovation; and Health.

Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. For quick reference, the questions below were addressed during the podcast:

1:45 – Political icons like Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim have been cast into the political wilderness in the past – and made illustrious comebacks. What are Khairy’s plans in light of recent travails?

5:20 – Can UMNO be reformed?

8:18 – What is the future of moderate politics and centrist policies in Malaysia?

13:11 – How is the Anwar Ibrahim administration doing in balancing inclusive, need-based policies with specific community – especially Malay – concerns?

17:58 - Can Pakatan, and PKR in particular, expand their traction among Malays?

23:13 – How will the PH-BN unity government strategise their seat allocations and campaigns for the upcoming state elections? Does PH-BN have any chance of making any inroads in the northern states?

30:55 – Beyond the state elections and into the second half of 2023, what are PM Anwar’s main opportunities and pitfalls?

38:10 – In what areas is Malaysia heading in the right direction? Where is it heading in the wrong direction?

In this Dialogues at Fulcrum podcast, Fulcrum editor Julia Lau discusses the direction of Indonesian democracy with Dr Deasy Simandjuntak and Mr Made Supriatma, 25 years after the momentous fall of Suharto. Rights, wrongs and reflections: which way forward for Indonesia with the 2024 elections?

Dialogues at Fulcrum is a ⁠podcast⁠ published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. For quick reference, the themes below were addressed during the podcast:

2:40 – Setting the stage and guests' preliminary assessments on the work cut out for the three frontrunner presidential candidates

11:40 – Interesting juncture in Indonesian politics for coalition formation

16:53 – Context of Indonesia's presidential election and prospects for a run-off

19:28 – Prabowo Subianto's possible trajectory and popularity

24:50 – Possibility of a strong vice-president in 2024

29:14 – Youth vote and "voice"

35:00 – Partai Buruh (Labour Party) as an alternative?

40:19 – Is Indonesia a democracy?

In this episode of Dialogues at Fulcrum, Dr William Choong, Managing Editor of Fulcrum, talks to Ambassador Kateryna Zelenko and Prof C. Raja Mohan about the implications of the war against Ukraine on Southeast Asia. Ambassador Zelenko is the Ukrainian ambassador to Singapore and long-serving diplomat with her country’s Foreign Ministry. Prof Mohan is a Senior Fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New Delhi, a contributing editor on International affairs at the Indian Express and a visiting professor at the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore.

Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. For quick reference, the themes below were addressed during the podcast:

2:36 – The war in Ukraine has now become a long-drawn war, with neither side gaining the upper hand. How do you see it in the second year?

8:30 – There are heartening stories about ordinary Ukrainians – computer programmers, mums and other civilians – fighting for their country. Is there something that people in Singapore and Southeast Asia can learn from?

17:10 – Why have Southeast Asian countries taken such varied responses to the invasion of Ukraine? Do they not get the full import and implications of the war against Ukraine?

24:10 – What can ASEAN countries do to support Ukraine?

33:33 – The Chinese have taken a nuanced position towards the war against Ukraine. How will the Chinese position evolve?

38:30 – India scored high marks in the recent 2023 State of Southeast Asia Survey published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, but New Delhi has failed to condemn the invasion of Ukraine. How do we interpret the findings?

Dr Deasy Simandjuntak discusses with Fulcrum editor Julia Lau her analysis of Indonesia's foreign policy goals and direction post-G20 in 2022 and in advance of its ASEAN chairmanship in 2023. Other topics they talk about are Indonesia's regional leadership, the planned new capital of Indonesia, and Dr Simandjuntak's future research projects.

Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. For quick reference, the themes below were addressed during the podcast:

1:07 – Indonesia's foreign policy

4:47 – De-escalating situation in Ukraine and examples of Indonesia's approach

5:18 – Myanmar crisis: ASEAN's reactions and the Five-Point Consensus

7:48 – Options available to ASEAN regarding Myanmar

11:40 – Indonesia as a middle power

17:20 – Planned new capital of Indonesia, Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN)

27:08 – IKN as a "smart, green" city

28:30 – Potential issues regarding inequalities in IKN and in-migration

35:45 – Dr Simandjuntak's next research goals

Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

For quick reference, the themes below were addressed during the podcast:

2:05 –  What UNCLOS Is

3:03 –  Why do we care about UNCLOS, 40 years on?

5:40 –  UNCLOS establishing law and order for the oceans

6:35 –  Singapore’s role as a major flag state

7:55 –  Singapore’s role in forging UNCLOS

11:44 –  Archipelagic states and regime, with discussion of Indonesia and the Philippines

14:43 –  Article 51 of UNCLOS

17:15 –  International impact and implications of the U.S.’s non-ratification of UNCLOS

22:36 –  Relevance and longevity of UNCLOS

In this episode of Dialogues at Fulcrum, William Choong, Managing Editor of Fulcrum, talks to Francis Hutchinson and Lee Hwok Aun about the implications of the jailing of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. Dr Hutchinson and Dr Lee are the Coordinator and Co-coordinator of ISEAS’ Malaysia Studies Programme respectively.

Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

For quick reference, the themes below were addressed during the podcast:

1:25 –  Immediate political impacts of Najib serving his jail term

17:00 – Najib’s ability to refashion his political image and the state of Malaysian politics

21:00 – UMNO’s prospects going into the next general elections

25:00 – The impact of the Littoral Combat Ship scandal on UMNO

29:18 – Pakatan Harapan’s priorities going into GE15

In this episode of Dialogues at Fulcrum, William Choong, Managing Editor of Fulcrum, talks to Drew Thompson about the latest Taiwan Strait crisis and the implications on Southeast Asia. Mr Thompson is a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. The discussion centred on the relevance of the crisis to Southeast Asia, the future of Sino-US competition and the roles that Southeast Asian countries can play.

Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute

For quick reference, the themes below were addressed during the podcast:

2:10 - Why the Latest Taiwan Crisis Matters to Southeast Asia

4:51 - Who (China or the US) Provoked the crisis?

9:40 - Why the Taiwan Crisis Matters to Southeast Asia

18:20 - Sino-US Competition: Are There Any Off-ramps?

24:23 - Explaining the Co-Equal System in America’s Political System

31:08 - A Potential Chinese Blockade of Taiwan and Risks of Miscalculation

37:48 - What Roles Can Southeast Asian Countries Play in a Taiwan Conflict?

In this episode, William Choong, managing editor of Fulcrum, talks to James Crabtree, executive director of International Institute for Strategic Studies (Asia), the London-headquartered think tank which runs the annual Shangri-La Dialogue. The dialogue is an annual meeting of defence ministers from Asia and beyond, and is covered widely by media from around the world. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the dialogue was postponed in 2020 and 2021.

Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

For quick reference, the themes below were discussed:

8:39 - Themes that Fumio Kishida, the Japanese prime minister, could raise as keynote speaker

13:48 - The United States and the Indo-Pacific

18:18 - China’s run-up to the Shangri-la Dialogue

23:07 - How the return of in-person meetings changes regional diplomacy

In this episode of Dialogues at Fulcrum, William Choong, Managing Editor of Fulcrum, talks to three scholars about the 2022 State of Southeast Asia Survey, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the United States’ Indo-Pacific Strategy. Dr Choong spoke to Ms Elina Noor, Director, Political-Security Affairs and Deputy Director of the Washington D.C. office at the Asia Society Policy Institute; Dr Huong Le Thu, a Senior Analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, and Ms Sharon Seah, Coordinator of the ASEAN Study Centre at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

For quick reference, the themes below were addressed during the podcast:

2:20 - Impressions of the 2022 State of Southeast Survey Report

8:19 - Increased regional confidence in the Biden Administration

12:58 - US Indo-Pacific Economic Framework: Being Passed Out or Passing Out?

15:47 - The Quad: Tangible Deliverables to the Region and the Bigger Picture

17:50 - China Gaining Traction in Free Trade Agreements

25:08 - Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: Implications for Southeast Asia

30:00 - China: ‘Taiwan is not Ukraine’

35:03 - Is US’ Indo-Pacific Strategy akin to NATO’s eastward expansion in Europe?

Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

For quick reference, the themes below were addressed during the podcast:

1:10 - Highlights from the 2021 ASEAN Summits

3:08 - Why the Summits matter to ASEAN citizens

6:23 - The concept of non-interference: in evolution?

10:18 - China and Cambodia’s chairmanship of ASEAN

14:04 - China, the United States and Myanmar

18:21 - Biggest takeaways from the Summits

21:54 - The impact of a ‘virtual’ summit

25:56 - ASEAN centrality and Myanmar

31:31 - The “true beauty” of ASEAN: shape shifting

33:30 - The SAC’s legal challenge to ASEAN: holding water, be like water