Global Politics

East Timor is a country struggling with internal conflict, and a young democracy still struggling to assert itself after years of political turmoil. Dr Jasmine-Kim Westendorf (Lecturer in International Relations, La Trobe University) speaks to Professor Nick Bisley (Director of La Trobe Asia) about the dominant forces at work in East Timor and the news the rest of the world never hears. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

Australia has made refugee and asylum seeker issues a cornerstone of their political debate and excessive lengths have been taken to prevent asylum seekers from reaching Australia by boat. Julian Burnside (Barrister and human rights advocate) speaks to host Matt Smith about Australia's perceived asylum seeker problem and how there might be a better solution. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

The population of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands have emigrated far, from Indonesia to Western Australia, but have maintained a strong community and bartered goods through the use of Facebook. In this episode of Asia Rising, Dr Nicholas Herriman (Anthropology, La Trobe University) speaks to host Matt Smith about the Cocos (Keeling) Island community and gift-giving. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

A number of high profile incidents have highlighted the contested territory of the South China Seas, most provocatively China's significant land reclamation and construction activties. In this episode of Asia Rising, Linda Jakobson (Founding Director of China Matters) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) about China's controversial activities in the east and south china seas. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

After the first year of government Narendra Modi has been presented with a number of challenges, both from within his own party and on a national and international stage. In this episode of Asia Rising, Dr Ian Hall (School of Government and International Relations, Griffith University) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) about Modi's first year as Prime Minister of India. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

After years of civil unrest, will Nepal's struggling democracy survive the recent earthquake? In this episode of Asia Rising, Dr Jasmine-Kim Westendorf (International Relations, La Trobe University) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) about Nepal's long road to democracy and future challenges. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

When Joko Widido won the 2014 Indonesian election with a significant popular mandate there was high expectations of the change he would bring to the office. In this episode of Asia Rising, Dr David McCrae Asia Institute, University of Melbourne) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) about the effectiveness and difficulties facing Widodo's government. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

The imminent execution of two Australians by Indonesia due to drug related offenses has put a strain on relationships between the two countries, and presents challenges for the leadership of both Joko Widodo and Tony Abbott. In this episode of Asia Rising, Dr David McCrae Asia Institute, University of Melbourne) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) about the diplomatic tensions of capital punishment. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

Regional authorities outlawed Islamic veils from all public spaces in the regional capital of China’s Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region. Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) speaks to Dr James Leibold (Senior Lecturer, Chinese Politics and Asian Studies, La Trobe University) about the provocation and likelihood of this ban succeeding. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

How did Japan’s recent election play out for Shinzo Abe, and what can Japan expect from his next term? Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia) and Assistant Professor Christopher Hobson (School of Political Science and Economics, Waseda University) discuss Japanese politics and the Fukushima disaster. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.