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.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
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.
Transcribe →Ep. 86: China-Japan spat, NZ MPs sent warning letter by PRC envoy, MAGA's MTG resigning from US Congress
Nov 2301:01:06Tap to summarizeTensions brewing between China and Japan due to PRC's response to Japanese PM's comments about 'survival-threatening situation' pertaining to conflict in the Taiwan Strait. What's happening here? Over-reaction? Playing to domestic constituencies? Nationalism at play? Chinese envoy to NZ wrote a warning letter to NZ MPs that attended Taiwan's national day reception in Wellington. Wolf-warrior at play again? Principal-agent issues? Misunderstanding of how Westminster system works? Fallout of the US government shutdown and Epstein files is the resignation announcement of big MAGA supporter Marjorie Taylor-Greene.
Transcribe →Ep. 85: Learning a foreign language: opening minds, appreciating cultures, building self-confidence, creating opportunities
Nov 1900:54:24Tap to summarizeWe share our experience of learning foreign languages and the importance of learning a different language. One of our students currently studying Mandarin Chinese in Taiwan shares her experience learning the language and living in Taipei.
Transcribe →Ep. 84: ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur and APEC meeting in Seoul
Nov 301:05:23Tap to summarizeASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur saw the formal admission of Timor Leste as the newest ASEAN member, the transfer of chair-ship to the Philippines and US President Trump attended the summit. Seoul hosted the APEC meeting but the Trump-XI meeting stole the show as the leaders of the two largest economies met face to face.
Transcribe →Ep. 83: Trading democracy off for desirable outcomes?
Oct 1301:05:06Tap to summarizeWe discuss a forthcoming research article to be published at the Comparative Political Studies by Jonathan Chu and colleagues on whether people are willing to trade-off democracy for desirable outcomes. The paper using experiments show that while free and fair elections are a desired, people in the six countries they studied (including US, Japan, Italy) are willing to trade it off to avoid living in dangerous societies. Readings: Jonathan A. Chu, Scott Williamson, Eddy S.F. Yeung (forthcoming). "Are People Willing to to Trade Away Democracy for Desirable Outcomes? Experimental Evidence from Six Countries." Comparative Political Studies
Transcribe →Ep 82: Australia-PNG security pact and Australia-Vanuatu security and development pact
Sep 3001:07:26Tap to summarizeRecent news about Australia's pacts with Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu has highlighted the important of geopolitical competition in the South Pacific. However, despite the announcement of these pacts, they were not officially signed in time from the Pacific Island Forum. What are these pacts? Are there outstanding issues that preventing the pacts from being signed? We are joined by Henrietta McNeill-Stowers, Michael Kabuni, and Anna Naupa of the Australian National University to discuss these news.
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