This episode, we look at China's media and political influence efforts, which are only just starting to be taken seriously by the rest of the world. We bring in the expertise of Josh Kurlantzick, author of the new book Beijing's Global Media Offensive: China's Uneven Campaign to Influence Asia and the World.

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First, host Waj Khan walks us through Beijing's uses of soft and sharp power. Then, correspondent Monica Hunter-Hart interviews Kurlantzick about Beijing's motivations, the biggest mistakes it's making, how world leaders should respond, and the recent protests in China. Asia Stream is hosted by Wajahat S. Khan, our digital editor, and produced by Monica Hunter-Hart.

Related to this episode:

China builds global media muscle to amplify its message, by Pak Yiu

This episode, we look at the immigration trends Asia is experiencing and how the world population may rearrange itself over the next few decades. Our guide is Parag Khanna, author of Move: Where People Are Going for a Better Future.

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After host Waj Khan opens the show, correspondent Alice French joins for a Tokyo Dispatch segment (6:37) on women's wealth in Asia. Then correspondent Monica Hunter-Hart interviews Khanna (10:11) about which Asian countries people are leaving, and where they're going, how anti-immigration movements across the world are being stymied by labor shortages, and why this current moment is a golden age for skilled young migrants. Asia Stream is hosted by Wajahat S. Khan, our digital editor, and produced by Monica Hunter-Hart, with a regular Tokyo Dispatch segment by Alice French.

Related to this episode:

Japan to require four times more foreign workers, study says, by Mitsuru Obe

Japan is finally facing up to its economic need for immigrants, by Toshihiro Menju

Sri Lankans chase foreign jobs to help families survive inflation, by Prabhu Mallikarjunan

Why relocating Chinese see Singapore as a safe haven, by Yang Min, Zhou Wenmin, and Cai Xuejiao

'Fortress Australia' seeks to become immigration nation again, by Mitch Ryan

Lack of immigrants risks population decline in rich countries, by Kazuya Manabe and Kaori Yoshida

'A great war for talent' awaits post-COVID world: Parag Khanna, by Eri Sugiura

From Pakistan to the Philippines, women break open closed industries, by Lien Hoang, Kiran Sharma, Francesca Regaldo and Cheng Ting-Fang

This episode, we discuss the appointment of Pakistan's new army chief. After months of drama and debate, Gen. Asim Munir has taken the helm of the world's sixth-largest fighting force and only nuclear-armed Islamic military. But what exactly is the big deal in a general taking charge? Well, considering that the army's ruled Pakistan for over three decades and continues to influence its governance from behind the throne, the most powerful man in the country is the army chief, not the prime minister. So when the Pakistani military's top gun changes, the world takes notice.

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First, host Waj Khan and correspondent Monica Hunter-Hart discuss the profile of the new general and the challenges facing him. Then, Monica interviews The Atlantic Council's Uzair Younus about the dire economic climate in the country, as well as the political outlook over the coming months. Asia Stream is hosted by Wajahat S. Khan, Nikkei Asia's digital editor, and produced by Monica Hunter-Hart.

Related to this episode:

Pakistan nominates next army chief as incumbent blasts Imran Khan, by Adnan Aamir

Pakistan nears moment of truth in army chief sweepstakes, by Wajahat Khan

This episode, we investigate the online scamming industry that is plaguing Southeast Asia -- particularly Thailand. The Chinese underworld is trafficking people into Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos and forcing them to swindle victims young and old. And it's gotten much worse since the pandemic began, with Thailand's scam calls jumping 270%.

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After host Waj Khan opens the show, we hear from a Thai scammer who was held against his will for six months (04:42). Next, Alice French explains why scams increased during the pandemic in her Tokyo Dispatch (07:43). And finally, Monica Hunter-Hart interviews Dominic Faulder, the reporter behind the "scamdemic" investigation, with details about how the scam gangs operate, how different countries are responding, and what can be done to solve the problem (10:25). Asia Stream is hosted by Wajahat S. Khan, our digital editor and executive producer, and produced by Monica Hunter-Hart and Alice French.

Related to this episode:

Asia's scamdemic: How COVID-19 supercharged online crime, by Dominic Faulder

Cyber slavery: inside Cambodia's online scam gangs, by Shaun Turton

This episode, we discuss the results (so far) of the U.S. midterm election and how they will change Washington’s foreign policy in Asia, touching on China, Japan, the Korean Peninsula, Iran, Russia and beyond.

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First, the German Marshall Fund’s Tobias Harris returns to the pod to discuss the elections’ ripples in Asia with Monica Hunter-Hart (05:21). Then, Monica and Waj Khan cover the specifics of the election results with an audio diary they updated across the first 48 hours of the midterms (21:35). Asia Stream is hosted by Wajahat S. Khan, our digital editor and executive producer, and produced by Monica Hunter-Hart.

Related to this episode:

Republicans fall short of U.S. midterm election goals, by Marrian Zhou

U.S. voters decide on Biden agenda as midterm election day arrives, by Jack Stone Truitt

U.S. warns of election interference by Russia, China in midterms, by Ryo Nakamura

Asian Americans hold vital swing votes in U.S. midterm elections, by Marrian Zhou

Opinion: Asia has much at stake in U.S. midterm elections, by John Kachtik

We discuss the ongoing Chinese Communist Party congress, where paramount leader Xi Jinping is expected to secure himself a third term in power. We break down what you should know about the congress, why the zero-COVID policy looms so large over it, and what Xi might do in the coming years.

Click here or head to s.nikkei.com/3feonH8 to get 3 months of Nikkei Asia coverage for just $9.

First, Monica Hunter-Hart and Waj Khan go over the basics of the event (2:35). Then Alice French explains the worsening toll Xi's zero-COVID policy is taking on the Chinese economy and population (9:33). Finally, Monica interviews the Lowy Institute's Richard McGregor about Xi's influence and what he might do next (13:20). Asia Stream is hosted by Wajahat S. Khan, our digital editor and executive producer, and produced by Monica Hunter-Hart, with a regular Tokyo Dispatch segment by Alice French.

Related to this episode:

Self-isolated: China's lonely zero-COVID battle in spotlight as Xi seeks third term, by Nikkei staff writers

Analysis: Xi's coronation ceremony opens on date of China's first atom bomb, by Katsuji Nakazawa

Opinion: Xi Jinping is preparing the Communist Party to face new realities, by Yu Jie

Transcript: President Xi Jinping's report to China's 2022 party congress

We discuss the ongoing protests in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, who was allegedly beaten to death for failing to follow the mandatory hijab law.

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First, host Waj Khan and correspondent Monica Hunter-Hart break down the latest updates. Then Monica interviews a protester in Mashhad about what she's witnessing (11:13); Cornelius Adebahr about where the protests are headed (19:05); and the Atlantic Council's Gissou Nia about Iran's discriminatory laws and how the international community can support demonstrators (29:20). Asia Stream is hosted by Wajahat S. Khan, our digital editor and executive producer, and produced by Monica Hunter-Hart.

Related to this episode:

Calm days but furious nights in Iran as protests spiral, by Tala Taslimi

We interview Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari about the challenges his country is facing, including terrorism, a heavy debt burden, the rivalry with India, and the worst environmental disaster Pakistan has ever experienced. We also compare the approaches that Asia's central banks are taking to deal with this difficult economic moment.

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First, digital editor and host Wajahat S. Khan talks to Bhutto-Zardari (5:50), and then deputy editor Alice French interviews reporter Mitsuru Obe about the central banks' tactics, focusing on Japan, China and South Korea (21:41). Asia Stream is hosted by Wajahat S. Khan and produced by Monica Hunter-Hart, with a regular Tokyo Dispatch segment by Alice French.

Related to this episode:

Pakistan foreign minister: China debt is price of development, by Wajahat Khan

The money blizzard: Asia's central banks reckon with the aftermath of COVID-19, by Mitsuru Obe, Kim Jaewon and Francesca Regalado

We discuss why many Asian countries are still dealing with Russia. In stark contrast to much of Europe and the U.S., most Asian countries -- with the notable exceptions of Japan and Singapore -- continue business as usual with the Russians. Is this about weapons? Oil? Policy? Or old habits from the Cold War?

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Digital editor and host Wajahat S. Khan talks to Asia Stream correspondent Monica Hunter-Hart about the broader strategy to play both sides, then interviews Akriti Vasudeva of the Stimson Center about India's position, and then chats with Josh Kurlantzick of the Council on Foreign Relations about Southeast Asia's role. Finally, deputy editor Alice French sends in her Tokyo Dispatch, this time interviewing our Pakistan contributor Adnan Aamir about the devastating floods in that country. This episode is hosted by Wajahat S. Khan, and was produced by Monica Hunter-Hart.

Related to this episode:

Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar deepen Russia ties to blunt economic woes, by Yohei Muramatsu and Tomoya Onishi

Opinion: China and Russia to showcase alternative world order at SCO Summit, by Raffaello Pantucci

China threatened by unbreakable bond with Russia, Nikkei graphics team

U.S., Japan step up India courtship despite its Russia juggling act, by Kiran Sharma and Ken Moriyasu

We discuss Turkey's growing influence as it plays both sides in the Russia-Ukraine war and courts powers in Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

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Monica Hunter-Hart interviews Sinan Tavşan, Nikkei Asia's correspondent in Istanbul, about Turkey's ascendancy. She also shares interviews she recently recorded with Turkish bazaar vendors about the inflation crisis. This episode is hosted by Jack Stone Truitt, and was produced by Monica Hunter-Hart.

Related to this episode:

Making Turkey great again: Erdogan throws out the rule book, by Ken Moriyasu and Sinan Tavsan

Location, hard power underpin Turkey's geopolitical renaissance, by Ken Moriyasu and Sinan Tavsan

Turkey scores with NATO brinkmanship, flexing geopolitical veto, by Ken Moriyasu and Sinan Tavsan