How vulnerable is Southeast Asia to an energy shock thousands of miles away? The conflict in the Middle East and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz have pushed up oil, LNG and jet fuel prices, with effects that reach far beyond the energy sector.

ASEAN has described the region’s vulnerability through the 5Fs: fuel, food, fertilizer, finance, and foreign workers.

In this episode, host Ei Thant Sin speaks with Dr. Prashanth Parameswaran about which countries facing the greatest risks, why some are more exposed than others, how the crisis impacts different sectors of the economy and what the crisis means for companies operating in Southeast Asia.

The conversation also dives into the importance of the Strait of Malacca, regional cooperation during emergencies and the need for governments and businesses to prepare together. Looking ahead, they discuss the transition to clean and renewable energy and where U.S. companies could contribute to the region’s energy security.

Dr. Prashanth Paramesawaran is a fellow at the Institute for Indo-Pacific Security and a senior columnist at The Diplomat.

Chapters

0:34 Introduction2:45 How the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz impact Southeast Asia’s energy security.

4:46 Why the Philippines is the most impacted country in Southeast Asia.

5:23 What an energy state of emergency means.

7:56 Whether Malaysia can power its growing data center industry

8:29 How the energy crisis affects people’s daily lives

12:28 What a multi-alignment approach means in a crisis.

13:48 What a Strait of Malacca disruption would mean for Southeast Asia.

17:45 What businesses can learn from the energy crisis and its impact on Indonesia’s and Vietnam’s economies.

20:07 Why Southeast Asia needs to broaden its energy options.

21:42 Where ASEAN may turn for energy: renewables, nuclear or coal.

23:02 Whether China and Russia could emerge as winners in this energy crisis.

25:25 What lasting impact the energy crisis could have on Southeast Asian countries.

27:27 What would make Southeast Asia more energy secure in 5-10 years from now.

30:06 What role the United States can play in Southeast Asia’s energy future.

Indonesian animated feature “Jumbo” became the highest-grossing animated film in Southeast Asia,  drawing millions of viewers at home and bringing new attention to the country’s animation talent. Can other Indonesian films replicate Jumbo’s commercial and international success?

In this episode of Asia Forward, host Ledy Simarmata sits down in Jakarta with Angga Dwimas Sasongko, film director, producer, and founder and CEO of Visinema Pictures, the studio behind “Jumbo.” They discuss what the film’s success says about Indonesia’s movie industry and whether Indonesian films can reach a wider global audience.

“Jumbo” was made with a budget of about $3 million, a fraction of what a major studio Hollywood movie can cost. For U.S. businesses, investors and collaborators, Angga makes the case that Indonesia offers a combination of low production costs, scale and early-stage opportunity. But he also explains why going global will require more than one successful film. It will take stronger talent development, better industry infrastructure and smarter distribution.

Angga talks about why local success matters before a film can travel internationally, what it takes to build Indonesian stories and characters that can last across generations, and how Indonesia’s production talent can become part of a larger global film business. He also discusses the role of streaming platforms, the rise of horror films, the potential of AI in production, and why he believes film should be seen not only as a creative industry, but also as part of Indonesia’s broader cultural economy.

0:00 Introduction

1:24 How Jumbo became a breakout success for Indonesian animation.5:20  What Jumbo’s commercial success says about Indonesia’s film market. 

9:43 How Jumbo reached more than 40 international markets.

12:50 How Visinema Pictures plans to enter the U.S. market.

13:35 Where Indonesia’s film industry stands today.

16:58 How AI could change film production in Indonesia.18:51  What types of Indonesian films can appeal to international audiences.

20:57 How streaming services help Indonesian films reach global audiences. 

23:42  How Visinema balances creativity and commercial success.

25:23 What Indonesia can learn from Korea, Japan and India’s entertainment industries.

27:38 Why U.S. investors should pay attention to Indonesia’s film industry.

29:25 Where the strongest opportunities are in Indonesian film.

31:13 What Indonesian films could achieve globally in the next five to 10 years.

Southeast Asia offers major opportunities for U.S. businesses, but each market comes with its own risks.

In this episode of Asia Forward, host Ei Thant Sin speaks with Erin Murphy, managing director for Asia at Redpoint Advisors and a former CIA analyst, about how companies should assess risks before entering or expanding in the region.

The conversation looks at Vietnam’s manufacturing growth, Indonesia’s regulatory complexity, the Philippines’ political and energy challenges, Malaysia’s digital infrastructure ambitions, Thailand’s recurring political uncertainty and Myanmar’s high-risk business environment.

They also discuss why U.S. companies should look beyond the U.S.-China lens, how climate change factors into country risk assessment, and what businesses can do before committing capital in Southeast Asia.

Watch the full episode to learn how U.S. companies can better understand political risks as well as long-term rewards in one of the world’s most important growth regions.

The United States remains the top destination for international students globally, hosting 1.2 million students according to the IIE Open Doors report released in November 2025. For students from Southeast Asia and around the world, the experience can shape careers, build worldwide networks and create relationships that last long after graduation.In Episode 10 of Asia Forward, host Ledy Simarmata speaks with Marie Royce, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, about why education remains an important part of U.S.-Southeast Asia relations.Royce discusses what continues to draw students to the U.S., including hands-on learning, STEM programs and community colleges. She also talks about the roles of student exchanges, Fulbright programs, as well as U.S. education programs and university partnerships specific to the Southeast Asian region. The conversation also addresses some of the current concerns facing international education including visa bans impacting students from certain countries and a shifting political climate in the U.S.

Americans drink an estimated 463 millions cups of coffee every day. In a market shaped by major chains and daily habits, how does an Indonesian coffee shop introduce specialty coffee and new flavors to U.S. consumers?

In this episode of Asia Forward, host Ei Thant Sin visits DUA DC Coffee in downtown Washington, D.C. for a conversation with founder Vivit Kavi about what it takes to bring Indonesian specialty, single-origin coffee into the U.S. market. Indonesian coffee has long been associated with Sumatra. But Vivit says Indonesia’s coffee story is much broader, with beans and flavors shaped by regions across the archipelago, including Java, Bali and Sulawesi.

Vivit shares how DUA DC Coffee began as a way to bring something from home in Indonesia to Washington, how the business survived the COVID-19 pandemic and why direct relationships with Indonesian farmers remain central to its mission. She also explains how familiar drinks, such as lattes, Americanos and cortados, can become an entry point for customers trying Indonesian beans for the first time.

The conversation also looks at the flavors and stories behind Indonesian specialty coffee, including excelsa from Central Java, as well as Southeast Asian ingredients such as pandan and aren, or the sweet sap of the sugar palm tree. The episode also explores how a small coffee shop can help introduce Indonesia’s products, people and culture to the U.S. market.

Watch the full conversation with Vivit Kavi and host Ei Thant Sin on Asia Forward.

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What does Southeast Asian representation in American media really mean, and why should it matter to Americans?In this episode of Asia Forward, host Ledy Simarmata speaks with Vicky Nguyen, NBC anchor chief consumer investigative correspondent and author of “Boat Baby,” about her family’s journey from Vietnam to the United States, growing up Vietnamese American and building a career in journalism.

Vicky shares how her parents’ decision to leave Vietnam shaped her life, why representation in media can help the next generation see what is possible and how building people-to-people connections between the U.S. and Southeast Asia can help Americans’ understanding of the region and of their own country. 

Watch the full conversation with Vicky Nguyen and Ledy Simarmata on Asia Forward. 

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Indonesia’s micro, small and medium enterprises, or MSMEs, serve as the backbone of the country’s economy, accounting for the vast majority of businesses and jobs. But beyond the numbers, what makes Indonesian SMEs stand out, and why do they matter for U.S. investors?

In this episode of Asia Forward, host Ledy Simarmata speaks with Lishia Erza Budiman, committee chair for SME capacity building and inclusive economy at the Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO). They discuss how Indonesia’s SMEs are shaping the country’s economic future and where the opportunities lie for global business.From their role in the digital economy to limited integration into global supply chains, the conversation explores both the strengths and the challenges facing the sector. They also examine the role of women entrepreneurs, how sustainability and ESG considerations are influencing SMEs, and what artificial intelligence could mean for small businesses in Indonesia.The episode also looks at how growth is being defined, including the contrast between high-growth startups, often referred to as “unicorns,” and more sustainable, profit-driven businesses, sometimes described as “zebras.”As interest from U.S. companies grows, where are the entry points, and what should investors understand before engaging with this market? The episode also looks ahead to how Indonesia’s SMEs could evolve over the next decade and what that means for the broader U.S.-Southeast Asia economic relationship.

Critical minerals are becoming central to global supply chains, clean energy and advanced manufacturing. In this episode of Asia Forward, host Ei Than Sin speaks with Dr. Gracelin Baskaran about why Southeast Asia is drawing growing interest from U.S. businesses and policymakers.

Dr. Baskaran, Director of the Critical Minerals Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, explains how rare earth elements and other critical minerals move from mining to processing and into industries such as electric vehicles, semiconductors and defense. A key challenge is processing capacity, which remains heavily concentrated in China and shapes global supply chain risk.

The conversation focuses on Southeast Asia’s role in this shift. Indonesia’s rapid growth in nickel production has reshaped global markets, while Malaysia is emerging as a rare earth processing hub. Countries such as Vietnam and Myanmar also hold significant potential, though investment, infrastructure and political stability continue to affect development across the region.

The episode also looks at how the United States is working with partners in Southeast Asia to diversify supply chains and reduce reliance on China. For U.S. companies, this raises practical questions about where to invest, how to manage risk and what role the region could play in long-term industrial strategy.

Looking ahead, Dr. Baskaran shares her view on how Southeast Asia could fit into the global critical minerals supply chain over the next five to 10 years and what that means for U.S. competitiveness.

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Thailand has long been known as the “Kitchen of the World.” But today, it’s expanding far beyond food.In this episode of Asia Forward, we explore how Thailand is building on decades of success in gastrodiplomacy to grow its broader creative economy—from fashion and design to soft power industries.Host Ledy Simarmata sits down with Ketsuree Vijaranakorn, Executive Director of the Thai Trade Center New York, to unpack how government-backed strategies have helped Thai restaurants flourish worldwide, and how those same playbooks are now being applied to fashion, lifestyle brands, and beyond.From the rise of Thai Select certification to pop-up shops in New York Fashion Week, this conversation looks at how Thailand is connecting culture, commerce, and global markets, and what it means for U.S. businesses and investors.

Southeast Asia’s digital economy is expanding at a rapid pace, creating new opportunities as well as challenges for U.S. businesses. In this episode of Asia Forward podcast, host Ei Thant Sin speaks with John Goyer, Vice President for Southeast Asia and Oceania at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, about how the region’s digital transformation is reshaping trade, investment and competition. From the rise of fintech ecosystems that “leapfrogging” Western markets to the growing importance of international data flows, Goyer explains why Southeast Asia has become a critical frontier for global companies. The conversation also explores how recent trade agreements, evolving tariff policies and regulatory shifts, including data governance and digital trade rules, are impacting market access for U.S. firms. Goyer highlights both the opportunities in fast-growing economies like Indonesia and the persistent challenges, from non-tariff barriers to infrastructure and energy constraints tied to AI and data centers. He also notes that while Myanmar has seen interest across sectors, high political and economic risks continue to limit long-term investment, as its underlying market potential remains.