Asia Rising

The United States has undergone profound changes in President Donald Trump’s second term, and these are affecting the world. America appears to be rejecting the very international system it helped create, with destabilising tariffs ushering in a new era of economic nationalism that threatens to reshape the Asian security landscape.

With multiple crises demanding attention in the Middle East and an ongoing war in Ukraine, we still do not know what Trump's Asia security policy looks like, creating uncertainty for allies and partners navigating an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.

Join La Trobe Asia for a special event as we mark the first six months of President Trump’s second term, with insights into the impact of tariffs around Asia, how alliances could shift, and the implications for both Australia and the world.

Panel:

Recorded 1st August, 2025.

The past year has been eventful for South Korea. They've faced security dilemmas, tensions with with North Korea, an impeachment, and an important election - all events and issues that have made headlines around the world. But if this is the view from outside of the country, what does it look like on the streets of Seoul?

Guest: Sangmi Jeong (Research Professor, Korea National Diplomatic Academy).

Recorded 2nd May, 2025.

The 18 countries and territories across the Pacific are some of the most vulnerable to growing risks emerging from climate changes, especially the small island states.

Despite contributing less than 0.03% to global greenhouse gas emissions, the islands face devastating consequences, from sea level rise and loss of territory to unpredictable weather patterns to growing food and water insecurity.

India-Australia’s bilateral ties are at their strongest, presenting an opportune moment for more active collaboration to address food insecurity as an immediate concern and strengthen climate resilience in the Pacific Island region.

Panel:

This event was held on 23rd July, 2025.

Many happy returns to the Dalai Lama who has just turned 90, but the reality that many are facing is that there may soon be a dispute over succession. The Dalai Lama’s supporters will choose their own reincarnated leader, but the Chinese government has long made it clear that the successor will come from China.

Guest: Assoc. Professor Ruth Gamble (Deputy Director, La Trobe Asia)

Recorded on 8th July, 2025.

South Korea faces a number of security challenges, living in the shadow of states such as China and Russia, and with its capital Seoul around 50km from the border it shares with North Korea. In times of contestation and with a new government in place it has the chance to reexamine its priorities and contribution to security in the Asia Pacific.

Guest: Dongkeun Lee (Policy Fellow, Asia-Pacific Leadership Network)

Recorded on 27th April, 2025.

The Australian government has released a new roadmap aiming to bolster critical minerals co-operation between Australia and India. Crucial to the economy and productivity, the mineral trade, the plan aims to drive research and trade in both countries, but can the plan also address resource security and climate concerns?

Guests:

Recorded 16th April, 2025

High in the Himalayas the waters of Asia’s eight largest rivers intersect. The rivers of the Asian Highlands are central to the world’s weather systems and activities in their water catchments have shaped the human past and will shape the future. These rivers support more than three billion people and provide water for 85% of Asia’s populations, and what happens to Asian highland rivers is of global significance.

Today human activities are contributing to rising temperatures, which leads to glacial shrinkage and uncertain river flows. Highland rivers are suffering from multiple crises, including inept management, negative effects from poorly planned damming, and declining fish stocks, along with decreased biodiversity.

This event explores the rivers of this critically important region and the iconological crisis that they face.

The launch of Rivers of the Asian Highlands From Deep Time to the Climate Crisis by Ruth Gamble, Gillian G. Tan, Hongzhang Xu, Sara Beavis, Petra Maurer, Jamie Pittock, John Powers, Robert J. Wasson, published by Routledge.

Speakers:

Recorded on 27th May, 2025.

The Asia-Pacific is an area of great power contestation, of an intense rivalry between major powers, particularly the United States and China. How influence and dominance intersect in the Asia Pacific has major implications for the politics, economies and militaries of the countries in the region.

Guest: Mike Bosack (Special Adviser for Government Relations,Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies)

Recorded 29th April, 2025.

Australia's federal election has produced a significant majority for PM Anthony Albanese. While most of the campaign was dominated by domestic issues, the shadow cast by the Trump administration's highly destabilising policies was long.

The re-elected government faces the most complex international environment in decades with the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, an America led by a mercurial President who appears intent on wrecking the liberal international order and an ambitious and confident China.

This panel will discuss the most immediate international challenges facing the newly elected government, how it is likely to approach these issues and what new direction a more confident and emboldened Labor government may take.

Panel:

Recorded 13th May, 2025

The past six months in South Korea have been eventful - a declaration of martial law, the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, but the country continues and now there is an election on the 3rd June. The election is heated, and there are still protests on the streets of Seoul.

How the votes could go, what is on the agenda, and how this will affect the world are all topics of debate.

Guest:

Dr Duyeon Kim (Adjunct Senior Fellow, Indo-Pacific Security Program, Centre for New American Security)

Recorded on 29th February, 2025.