Asia Abridged

Howard French, former New York Times China correspondent and author of the new book Everything Under the Heavens: How the Past Helps Shape China's Push for Global Power, discusses China's territorial ambitions, and how they harbor potential for conflict with the United States — especially in a "very dangerous period" over the next 10 to 15 years.

Padma Lakshmi is perhaps best known as the veteran host of the popular television show Top Chef. But long before she became a public figure, Lakshmi was an Indian-American kid living in 1970s New York — a city whose culinary diversity cultivated her love of both Indian street food and bacon cheeseburgers. In this candid conversation, Lakshmi discusses her New York roots, her Desi identity, the Indian food she’s dying to see on Top Chef, and why she has no love for Disney princesses.