Podcast
Views from Down Underer
Hosted by Institute for Indo-Pacific Affairs · EN
Analysis, news commentary, and opinions on the international relations of the Indo-Pacific and beyond as seen from the region by people from the region. An initiative of the Institute for Indo-Pacific Affairs (www.indopac.nz) in Christchurch, New Zealand, the podcast is hosted by Professor Alex Tan of the University of Canterbury (Christchurch, New Zealand) with panelists Associate Professor Nick Khoo of the University of Otago (Dunedin, New Zealand), Dr Orson Tan and Katie Mills of the Institute for Indo-Pacific Affairs.
12episodes
Episodes
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Ep. 96: RNZAF P-8 in East China Sea, leaked email of NZ PM, arts and politics
4w ago01:04:46Tap to summarizeRNZAF plane flies to East China Sea to participate in an international mission but the PRC Foreign Affairs Ministry criticised NZ for this flight. There is drama around the leaked emails regarding the position of the NZ Prime Minister about the Iran conflict. The email was supposed to be leaked by the Foreign Minister and NZ news outlets have been giving coverage about this 'scandal.' Banksy placed a recent sculpture in central London that many art observers say is a critique of 'blind nationalism.' What is this art all about? In the Auckland area, a sculpture of a Korean comfort woman was not allowed by a local council to be displayed at a Korean garden part of a public park stating that the sculpture is too political.
Transcribe →Ep. 95: Hungarian election results and NZ's National Party woes
Apr 2001:07:28Tap to summarizeHungarian election resulted in the end of PM Orban's 16-year reign. What lessons does it offer? Is it a glimmer of hope to reverse democratic backsliding? New Zealand's National Party is dropping in public opinion polls leading to the general election this November. There is unrest within the party and there are rumours about party leadership change.
Transcribe →Ep. 94: US-Israel-Iran conflict (week 5 and counting); NZ-Cook Island security pact; Survey shows young Aussies dissatisfied with democracy
Apr 601:18:29Tap to summarizeUS-Israeli conflict with Iran is on its fifth week (with no end in sight) and with the global economy held hostage due to the 'closure' of the Strait of Hormuz, US president Trump said that keeping the Strait open is not the US's problem. In a reverse 'Pottery Barn rule' -- US breaks it but does not want to own it. Even better it is what we call the 'Pampers rule' -- I make a mess, you clean up for me. NZ-Cook Island signed a pact a year after Cook Island surprised NZ with a partnership with China. Is this NZ exercising and imposing its power on its smaller partner? Lastly, young Aussies are said to be dismayed with democracy. Is this a blip or a trend?
Transcribe →Ep. 93: Continuing US-Israel conflict with Iran, closing of Strait of Hormuz
Mar 2301:06:30Tap to summarizeThe US-Israeli conflict with Iran has intensified. Iran has hit back at Gulf states and Israel. Iran has also closed the Strait of Hormuz where 20% of petroleum is transported. Stock markets have been volatile, oil prices have increased substantially, fertilizer prices have shot up. Is there an off-ramp? Will the global economy be resilient enough to sustain this market volatility?
Transcribe →Ep. 92: Carney in Australia, Iran conflict, NZ PM’s polling numbers
Mar 901:00:46Tap to summarizeCanadian PM Mark Carney visited Australia as part of his Indo-Pacific middle powers tour. Iran conflict enters its second week, what is the end game or is there even one? NZ PM is having a tough week trying to clarify NZ’s position on the US-Israel attack on Iran. His poll numbers are not good going into the year end general elections.
Transcribe →Ep. 91: Iran attacked by US and Israel
Mar 301:07:07Tap to summarizeUS and Israel attacked Iran that killed Iran's top leadership. Iran has responded by expanding the conflict to neighboring states. The Strait of Hormuz is now closed and air travel is impacted. Why is this happening at this time? What are the implications?
Transcribe →Ep. 90: Munich Security Conference, China as a green superpower, Ex-South Korean President given life sentence
Feb 2301:08:39Tap to summarizeRecent Munich Security Conference followed up on the 'rupture' speech by Canadian PM Carney, US State Secretary delivered a similar message to last year's US VP Vance's speech but seem to be sugar-coated. Is Europe ready to take defense in its own hands? China's has been investing heavily on renewable energy while the US is now lagging behind. What does this mean for China's green future? Finally, ex-South Korean president was sentenced to life sentence for insurrection and treason for his part in the 3 December 2024 declaration of martial law. What does it mean for South Korean domestic politics?
Transcribe →Ep. 89: NZ-India FTA, Japan's LDP wins, AI and jobs
Feb 1701:06:55Tap to summarizeWill the NZ-India FTA see the light of day? PM Takaichi leads Japan's LDP to a big electoral victory. Singapore's Deputy PM raised concern about AI and its impact on jobs and the future economy.
Transcribe →Ep. 88: Canadian PM Carney's 2026 World Economic Forum speech
Jan 2401:07:17Tap to summarizeCanadian PM Mark Carney delivered a hard hitting speech declaring the 'rules-based international order' as ruptured and calling for middle powers of the world to unite. While many observers and non-western states have known (and complained) for a long time, this the first time that a Western leader finally yelled out: "The emperor has no clothes."
Transcribe →Ep.87: Thailand and Cambodia border conflict (again), Thai calls for new general election
Dec 1800:54:41Tap to summarizeThai-Cambodia border conflict flares again months after a peace accord signed in the presence of US President Trump. In the midst of this conflict, Thai PM dissolves parliament and calls for new general election.
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