Asian Insider

The island’s diplomatic space may be shrinking but it wants to engage the world on its own terms.

Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times will now analyse the hottest political and trending talking points, alternating between its Malaysia and Greater China bureaus.

For November, host and deputy foreign editor Albert Wai connects with Taiwan correspondent Yip Wai Yee.

They discuss Taiwan’s foreign policy preoccupations and the implications of the Beijing-Tokyo spat over remarks made by Japanese leader Sanae Takaichi on cross-strait tensions.

Up against an increasingly dominant China, Taiwan is adopting what it calls “integrated diplomacy” as it seeks to buttress relations with like-minded partners. 

At the same time, the normalisation of so-called grey-zone tactics by the mainland against the island carries risks for Taiwan’s societal resilience and its ability to respond in the event of an actual attack.

All eyes are on the next round of talks between American President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in the first half of 2026, as this could have far-reaching implications on Taiwan’s role on the global stage.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:49 Taipei’s “integrated diplomacy”

4:12 China-Japan spat over Taiwan

7:46 Shift in approach for cross-strait ties

10:35 What’s at stake when Trump and Xi meet in 2026

13:51 Leverage in tariff talks with the US

15:22 Grey-zone tactics

19:27 Breakthrough at European parliament

21:31 China Taipei or Chinese Taipei?

Read more: https://str.sg/s4A7 

Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters 

Host: Albert Wai ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX 

Feedback to: [email protected] 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg 

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Our expert guest explains why he predicts both men will seek good vibes in 2026.

Synopsis: Every third Friday of the month, The Straits Times gets its US bureau chief to analyse the hottest political and trending talking points.

In this episode, US bureau chief Bhagyashree Garekar hosts her special guest - Harvard Professor Graham Allison - who tells her how he manages to read Trump right, by taking him seriously, looking at his patterns amid all his statements, and noticing the trend lines.

Prof Allison is the Douglas Dillon Professor of Government at Harvard University where he has taught for five decades. He is a leading analyst of national security with special interests in nuclear weapons, Russia, China, and decision-making.  

He has also written books, including Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides’s Trap?, published in 2017. He also had another book out earlier in 2013 - Lee Kuan Yew: The Grand Master’s Insights on China, the United States and the World -  which has been a bestseller in the US and abroad. 

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:31 How well do Trump & Xi vibe? Getting a sense of their agendas for 2026

7:34 What do Trump and Xi want from each other?

9:31 Will Trump get hawkish on China ahead of 2026 election?

13:52 Why is Trump muted on China-Japan spat over Taiwan?

18:50 Why Trump is different from any other US president

21:48 How today’s China looks at today’s America

24:43 Will China be the world’s sole superpower?

Read Bhagyashree Garekar’s articles: https://str.sg/whNo 

Follow Bhagyashree Garekar on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/gD6E 

Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz 

Host: Bhagyashree Garekar ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Feedback to: [email protected]

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

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Our guest expert looks at her political approach, as well as her personal side. 

Synopsis: The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 45 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Ravi speaks with Professor Tomohiko Taniguchi, foreign policy adviser to the Cabinet of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and one of the most authoritative voices on Japan about the ascend and likely impact of Sanae Takaichi.

They discuss Ms Takaichi’s first diplomatic encounter with US President Donald Trump, her hardline approach to defence, and China, Japan’s shifting priorities in Asean as Philippines rises in salience and Indonesia declines, Tokyo’s dread of Trump’s ‘G-2’ talk, the future of the Quad security dialogue, and her approach to economic policy.

They also discuss Ms Takaichi’s softer, personal side – her early life, propensity to ride powerful motorbikes, marriage to the same man twice and finally, the question: Now that Japan has its first woman PM, is it time to consider an Empress for Japan?

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:00 Shinzo Abe’s protege? Yes, and no.

5:00 Asean summit and first encounter with Donald J Trump

10:00 Japan’s dread of Trump’s “G-2” talk

12:00: Defence thrust, and the nuclear question

18:30 China, Japan’s key neighbour

22:30 For Tokyo, Indonesia dips while Philippines rises

26:00 Is Quad dead in the water?

31:00 Japan and foreigners

36:10 Sanae Takaichi: woman, wife, rocker, biker

41:20 After woman PM, an Empress for Japan?

Host: Ravi Velloor ([email protected])

Read Ravi's columns: https://str.sg/3xRP

Follow Ravi on X: https://twitter.com/RaviVelloor

Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz 

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani & Chen Junyi

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Feedback to: [email protected]

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

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All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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Spoiler: Politics, and the private lives of politicians. 

Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times catches up with its foreign correspondents about life and trends in the countries they're based in.

For more than a century, it was quite accepted in France that Presidents and male politicians could have mistresses, and no one would pry into their private lives. 

But public attitudes are changing, and this is manifested in persistent curiosity about President Emmanuel Macron and his wife - who have now taken the unprecedented step of filing a lawsuit to battle scurrilous allegations. 

In this episode, ST's foreign editor Li Xueying hosts global affairs correspondent Jonathan Eyal, who takes his skewer to double standards, culture wars and conspiracy theories that are fuelling the change. 

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:48 Paris in summer: A hotbed of scandals

4:11 Climate and political heat

7:01 Changing political privacy norms in France

9:29 The role of social media and disinformation

13:31 Macron’s political challenges and scandals

Read Jonathan Eyal’s article here: https://str.sg/cDua 

Read Li Xueying’s articles: https://str.sg/iqmR 

Follow Li Xueying on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/ip4x  

Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz 

Host: Li Xueying ([email protected])

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Feedback to: [email protected] 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg 

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Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts 

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa 

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A grand bargain will be hard to strike at the upcoming US-China presidential summit, says a top trade expert.

Synopsis: Every third Friday of the month, The Straits Times gets its US Bureau Chief to analyse the hottest political and trending talking points.

In this episode, former US trade negotiator Wendy Cutler - who was recently a panellist at SPH Media’s Oct 9 Asia Future Summit - speaks with US Bureau Chief Bhagyashree Garekar to unpack what can be expected from President Donald Trump’s Asia trip.

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:09 On the expected Trump-Xi meeting

6:11 What China wants out of the meeting

7:39 Wendy Cutler’s gut feel on the summit outcome

12:00 Did Singapore get the ‘best deal’ out of Trump?

14:10 Seoul may get a deal, not New Delhi

17:19 ‘We're gonna be living in a tariff world for the next 3.5 years’

23:34 Is the sun setting on Apec?

Read Bhagyashree Garekar’s articles: https://str.sg/whNo 

Bhagyashree Garekar’s LinkedIn: https://str.sg/gD6E 

Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz

Host: Bhagyashree Garekar ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Lynda Hong

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Feedback to: [email protected]

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

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Follow more ST podcast channels:

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Fresh off tabling Budget 2026, Malaysia is set to host world’s superpowers during the Asean Summit in KL starting Oct 26.

For our October episode, ST’s Malaysia bureau chief Shannon Teoh and host Zurairi A.R. are joined by Tony Pua, an ex-member of Parliament from DAP, and previously a political secretary for former finance minister Lim Guan Eng.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim just tabled his latest budget for 2026, and will now have to juggle domestic and international impressions over the visit of US President Donald Trump during the Asean Summit starting Oct 26.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:57 Was the RM470b allocation in Budget 2026 a creative fiscal feat?

5:09 How successful has Anwar been in pushing for financial reforms?

8:39 Is the allocation for Sabah and Sarawak a political move ahead of the state election?

11:18 Can Malaysia afford to have Trump miss the Asean Summit?

13:31 Will Malaysia have to one day choose between the US and China?

15:37 Why Malaysians’ anger on the Palestinian cause is real 

19:38 How to celebrate an F1 win without alcoholic champagne

Read more:

Demystifying Budget 2026 tabled by PM Anwar https://str.sg/mpP6

Is Budget 2026 a political strategy for Sabah state polls? https://str.sg/wJ76g

Malaysians are unhappy with Trump’s visit to KL https://str.sg/DBc3

Petronas CEO under fire for champagne celebration at Singapore GP https://str.sg/7HoB 

Read Zurairi A.R.’s articles: https://str.sg/DCfr 

Read Shannon Teoh's articles: https://str.sg/wzyK 

Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz

Hosts: Zurairi A.R. ([email protected])  

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts  

Feedback to: [email protected] 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg 

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Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts 

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa 

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How geopolitics is pushing manufacturers from China to South-east Asia and India.

Synopsis: The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 40 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests.

In this episode, Ravi hosts Mridula Iyer, Asia South Head of Services at Citi, the global financial services firm, on shifts in Asia’s supply chain and how it matters for ordinary people.

They discuss how manufacturing is moving toward South-East Asia, which countries are gaining, and the US dollar’s continued dominance in trade settlement.

They also discuss prospects for South Asia, where countries such as India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are seeing an increase in manufacturing activity.

This episode is brought to you by Citi.

Highlights: (click/tap above)

1:45 Demystifying the supply chain; smartphones as examples

7:30 The shift to South-east Asia

9:12 How a financial institution such as Citi figures in supply chain, trade

11:07 "We have the globality of a global bank, but we're embedded like a local bank"

12:45 China’s export thrust to South-east Asia

14:10 Why Vietnam is booming

17:00 The tariff situation: India and South Asia

19:30 Dollar dominance even as supply chains shift

Read more

Citigroup - Singapore: https://www.citigroup.com/global/about-us/global-presence/singapore

Citigroup - Services: https://www.citigroup.com/global/businesses/services

Citibank.com.sg: https://www.citibank.com.sg/

Host: Ravi Velloor ([email protected])

Read Ravi's columns: https://str.sg/3xRP

Follow Ravi on X: https://twitter.com/RaviVelloor

Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Feedback to: [email protected]

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

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Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

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Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

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How geopolitics is pushing manufacturers from China to South-east Asia and India.

Synopsis: The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 40 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests.

In this episode, Ravi hosts Mridula Iyer, Asia South Head of Services at Citi, the global financial services firm, on shifts in Asia’s supply chain and how it matters for ordinary people.

They discuss how manufacturing is moving toward South-East Asia, which countries are gaining, and the US dollar’s continued dominance in trade settlement.

They also discuss prospects for South Asia, where countries such as India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are seeing an increase in manufacturing activity.

This episode is brought to you by Citi.

Highlights: (click/tap above)

1:45 Demystifying the supply chain; smartphones as examples

7:30 The shift to South-east Asia

9:12 How a financial institution such as Citi figures in supply chain, trade

11:07 "We have the globality of a global bank, but we're embedded like a local bank"

12:45 China’s export thrust to South-east Asia

14:10 Why Vietnam is booming

17:00 The tariff situation: India and South Asia

19:30 Dollar dominance even as supply chains shift

Read more

Citigroup - Singapore: https://www.citigroup.com/global/about-us/global-presence/singapore

Citigroup - Services: https://www.citigroup.com/global/businesses/services

Citibank.com.sg: https://www.citibank.com.sg/

Host: Ravi Velloor ([email protected])

Read Ravi's columns: https://str.sg/3xRP

Follow Ravi on X: https://twitter.com/RaviVelloor

Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Feedback to: [email protected]

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

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Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

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Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

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Asia’s only Christian nation, the Philippines, is devoutly Catholic. Yet, why do so many turn to peddlers of potions and talismans as well? 

Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times catches up with its foreign correspondents about life and trends in the countries they're based in.

One afternoon, Philippines correspondent Mara Cepeda popped into church to whisper a prayer, and then sought her fortunes from a tarot card reader just outside its premises. 

She did it in the name of research, but for many Filipinos, this is how they seek divine guidance through life.

In this episode, host and ST's foreign editor Li Xueying speaks with Mara about the balance between the two contradictory belief systems in the Philippines.

Highlights (click/tap above):

4:31 Quiapo’s unique blend of religious and mystical practices

6:55 Socio-economic realities in the Philippines and their influence on religious practices

9:15 The Catholic church's role in social welfare

13:20 Navigating modern challenges in religion

17:08 Intersection of political power and religious institutions

Read Mara Cepeda’s article here: https://str.sg/wN4UL 

Read Li Xueying’s articles: https://str.sg/iqmR 

Follow Li Xueying on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/ip4x  

Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters  

Host: Li Xueying ([email protected])

Edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Feedback to: [email protected] 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg 

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Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts 

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa 

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Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

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Beijing’s message was clear: We are a great power and a force for good.

Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times will now analyse the hottest political and trending talking points, alternating between its Malaysia and China bureaus.

For September, host and deputy foreign editor Albert Wai connects again with senior China correspondent Yew Lun Tian.

They revisit the 2025 China Victory Day Parade, focusing on Beijing’s message to the world and what it reveals in terms of foreign policy preoccupations.

China’s WWII narrative was loud and clear: We have come a long way from being a victim to a great power. Additionally, the communist party is now strong enough to protect the nation.

For the domestic audience, the event was a great source of pride and served to galvanise the people during a time of great power rivalry with Washington.

Taken together with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Forum and the Xiangshan Forum on defence matters, September was a high-key month for China’s narrative building efforts as a responsible global player.

It sought to portray itself as a great power with friends, while leading the call for a new security order.

Looking ahead, it remains to be seen if China’s narrative shaping efforts would strengthen its hand when dealing with the United States.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:14 What is the big deal about the parade?

2:34 Futuristic weapons under the spotlight

5:21 Indonesian President Prabowo gets prime seat

6:57 Why WWII history matters to the Chinese government

8:49 Massive logistical preparations before the event

11:03 Do Chinese people still feel anger or resentment towards the war?

16:10 The West didn’t want to endorse China’s WWII narrative

17:30 China’s vision for a new security order

20:32 Looking ahead: APEC in South Korea and a Trump-Xi meeting 

Read more: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/china-showcases-military-diplomatic-prowess-at-parade-attended-by-putin-kim 

Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters 

Host: Albert Wai ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani & Natasha Liew

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX 

Feedback to: [email protected] 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg 

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Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts 

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa 

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Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.