The world today is at a crossroads. We’re seeing an escalation in conflicts and wars – Russia and Ukraine, the genocide in Gaza, are just a couple of prominent examples. We’re seeing the rise of China as a economic powerhouse and with that the rise of tensions between the US and China. But what do these shifts mean, for the world and for Southeast Asia? 

In this episode, we speak to Professor Jeffrey Sachs. He’s an economist from the US and the President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. He’s been a key advisor to numerous heads of state and governments, including in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, providing guidance on economic reforms and development strategies. He’s also a passionate critic of US foreign policy. 

In this episode, we discuss:
• The Doomsday Clock (by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists) and how it’s inching closer to midnight.
• Some history and context for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
• The slow decline of the American empire and a shift to a multipolar world, driven by the rise of China and Asia as a whole. 
• What is the key divide between China and the US? When we look at post WWII and during the Cold War, the divide was between a free flowing capitalist system governed by Western financial institutions versus Marxist-Leninism that focused on strong central planning and closing off the economy to Western FDI. But today, even countries that carry red flags are part of the global capitalist system. What’s the differentiating factor in terms of development theory and practice?
• While ASEAN is friendly with China and recognizes its significance and the importance of South-South solidarity, there is also genuine concern about sovereignty, the South China Sea, etc. How should ASEAN manage China?

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