Roby Alampay sits down with Prof. Joseph Chinyong Liow of Nanyang Technological University to unpack Southeast Asia’s evolving balancing act between the United States and China. Are ASEAN countries still truly neutral? What does 30 years of data reveal about the region’s quiet shift toward Beijing?

Liow shares insights from the “Anatomy of Choice” index—a detailed study he conducted with Yuen Foong Khong of the National University of Singapore—tracking how trade, security, soft power, and diplomacy signal a subtle pivot to China. From the Philippines’ “friend to all, enemy to none” policy to Thailand’s and Vietnam’s surprising trends, we explore why Southeast Asia’s choices matter now more than ever.

Liow and Khong also wrote an article on Foreign Affairs about their findings, which you can read here.

This episode is produced by Jyn Garcia and engineered by Anthony Tobias. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.

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