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Straight Talk Southeast Asia

by Renegade Radio

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Welcome to Straight Talk Southeast Asia. In this podcast, host, political analyst and academic, Dr. Bridget Welsh covers politics, current affairs, developments and other news in Southeast Asia, all for your listening pleasure. Episodes cover the latest developments every week, so it's best to listen to the latest episode to get to know what's happening. See you soon! This show is produced by Renegade Radio.

From the show's RSS feed, refreshed Oct 31, 2026. Source feed.

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Episodes

  1. EP160: Taiwan and Southeast Asia with Dr. Hoo Chiew Ping

    This episode will look at Taiwan’s changing relationship with Southeast Asia. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  2. EP159: Vietnam Assembly with Dr. Paul Schuler

    This episode unpacks the legislative and institutional changes taking place in Vietnam with Dr. Paul Schuler. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  3. EP158: President Prabowo's Two-Year Anniversary with Dr Yohanes Sulaiman?

    This episode reflects on the two-year anniversary of President Prabowo in office as president of Indonesia with Dr. Yohanes Sulaiman. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  4. EP157: Public Health Impact of Haze with Dr. Amar Singh

    This episode looks at the public health impact of the haze on Southeast Asia with Dr. Amar Singh, focusing on vulnerable communities with special attention to Malaysia. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  5. EP156: Rohingya Repatriation

    This episode discusses the challenging issue of Rohingya Repatriation with Dr. Mohammad Zaman. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  6. EP155: Arms Trafficking in Southeast Asia

    This episode looks at the illegal arms trafficking in Southeast Asia with independent researcher Michael Picard. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  7. EP154: Bangsamoro’s Polls with Georgi Engelbrecht

    This episode looks at the 2026 Bangsamoro’s Polls with International Crisis Group’s Georgi Engelbrecht focusing on the results and the implications for peace and security in the Philippines. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  8. EP153: A Look at Cambodia’s Authoritarianism with Dr. Neil Loughlin

    This episode examines how the CPP and its leaders have maintained power in Cambodia with Dr. Neil Loughlin drawing from his recent book, The Politics of Coercion and discussion of recent developments in Cambodia. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  9. EP152: Varied Regime Political Pressures

    This episode examines current domestic politics across the region from Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia to Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar, focusing on the various pressures facing current governments. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  10. EP151: Building ASEAN Energy Resilience with Dr. Pey Peili and Adam Hansen

    This episode speaks to authors, Pey Peili & Adam Hansen, on the report entitled "Building Energy Resilience and Integrity," published by RSIS in June 2026. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  11. EP150: ASEAN at 59 with Joanne Lin Weiling

    This episode reflects on how contemporary ASEAN as an organization is evolving and the challenges she is facing with Joanne Lin Weiling. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  12. EP149: Environmental Activism Facing Pressure in Indonesia with Andreas Harsono

    This episode looks at the Human Rights Watch report entitled Grabbed Land, Silenced Justice: The Persecution of Environmentalists and Indigenous Leaders in Indonesia with researcher Andreas Harsono. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  13. EP148: 301-Tariffs and Southeast Asia with Dr. Deborah Elms

    This episode looks at the late July decision to impose Section 301 tariffs on Southeast Asian countries with Dr. Deborah Elms. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  14. EP147: Electoral Turning Points in Malaysia with Dr. Bridget Welsh

    This episode looks at broader electoral changes taking place in Malaysian politics after three state elections in which the governing coalition leading the Anwar Ibrahim Madani government has lost ground. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  15. EP146: Türkiye and ASEAN with Mehmet Enes Beşer

    This episode looks at Türkiye’s relationship with ASEAN with Mehmet Enes Beşer, focusing on defense, economic and political ties as well as Türkiye’s interests in the region. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  16. EP145: Brunei’s Challenges with Dr. Kerstin Steiner

    This episode looks at challenges facing Brunei with Dr. Kerstein Steiner examining the dynamics of generational change, succession, her political economy and geopolitical shifts. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  17. EP144: Myanmar’s Junta Normalisation with Professor Thitinan Pongsudhirak

    This episode looks at Myanmar’s President Min Aung Hlaing’s attempt to normalize his government in the region, especially in ASEAN with Professor Thitinan Pongsudhirak. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  18. EP143: Youth Social Media Ban Southeast Asia with Dr. Nuurrianti Jalli

    This episode examines the social media ban policy for children under 16 and focuses in on this policy in Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia and Indonesia, with Dr. Nuurrianti Jalli. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  19. EP142: Maritime Conflict Decision Making with Dr Natalie Sambhi and Dr Bich Tran

    This episode looks at the agency and policy approaches of Southeast Asian countries over maritime defence issues in Southeast Asia with Dr Natalie Sambhi and Dr Bich Tran, drawing from a report by Verve Research. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  20. EP141: Indonesia Not in Crisis Yet with Economist Dr. James Guild

    This episode with economist Dr. James Guild examines Indonesia’s political economy at a time when her currency is facing unprecedented pressures and President Prabowo Subianto is undergoing economic changes. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  21. EP140: A Look at Philippine Elite Politics with Professor Ronald Holmes

    This episode looks at recent developments in Philippine politics, from leadership changes in the Senate, impeachment trials, extraditions and management of disasters, and digs through the headlines in order to understand broader ongoing shifts. Stay informed on our website:...

  22. EP139: Toboso Killings, Philippines Political Violence with Patrick Peralta

    This episode discusses political violence in the Philippines through a lens focus on the recent Toboso killings with scholar Patrick Peralta. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  23. EP138: Shangri-La 2026 - Defence Diplomacy Challenges with Dr. Evan Laksamana

    This episode reflects on the 2026 IISS Shangri-La Dialogue defence diplomacy dialogue held in Singapore last month with its key organizer Dr. Evan Laksamana and shares insights from their new annual report on Asia Security. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  24. EP137: Japan Steps Up for Southeast Asia with Associate Professor Kei Koga

    At a time of increasing global crisis and greater uncertainty, this episode looks Japan’s deepening relations with Associate Professor Kei Koga and showcases how middle powers are strengthening ties with Southeast Asia. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  25. EP136: Food Security in Southeast Asia amidst the Iran War with Dr Jose Ma. Luis P. Montesclaros

    This episode looks at food security in the context of the changing weather conditions and the Iran war with RSIS’s Dr Jose Ma. Luis P. Montesclaros, highlighting variation in risks across the region and potential policy responses. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  26. EP135: Papua Protests with Dr. Hipo Wangge

    This episode looks at recent developments in Papua with Dr. Hipo Wangge. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  27. EP134: Russia and Southeast Asia with Dr. Ian Storey

    This episode looks at the relationship between Russia and Southeast Asia with Dr. Ian Storey building on his seminal book Putin’s Russia and Southeast Asia. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  28. EP133: Thailand’s Military with Dr. Paul Chambers

    This episode looks at Thailand’s military and its changing political role with Dr. Paul Chambers. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  29. EP132: ASEAN’s E-Crises – Energy and E-Waste with Peter Cockcroft & Wong Pui Yi

    This episode looks at two different crisis impacting the region – energy with Peter Cockcroft triggered by the Iran War and the management of E-Waste the product of rising tonnes being trafficking into the region with Basil Action Network’s Wong Pui Yi. Stay informed on our website:...

  30. EP131: Mekong River Politics with Brian Eyler

    This episode examines the geopolitical and environmental issues connected to the Mekong River with Stimson Center’s Senior Fellow Brian Eyler. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  31. EP130: Non-Shifting Myanmar Politics with Lorcan Lovett

    This episode examines recent developments in Myanmar, from changes in the military to the new federal arrangement announced by the National Unity Government with journalist Lorcan Lovett. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  32. EP129: Iran War and Southeast Asia with James Dorsey

    This episode examines how the war in Iran is impacting geopolitics and economies in Southeast Asia with expert journalist James Dorsey. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  33. EP128: Labor Rights Trends in Southeast Asia with Benjamin Harkins

    This episode looks at contemporary labor rights issues in Southeast Asia with ILO’s technical specialist Benjamin Harkins. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  34. EP127: New Zealand and Southeast Asia with Professor Malcolm McKinnon

    This episode examines the New Zealand relationship with Southeast Asia with historian Malcolm McKinnon. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  35. EP126: Critical Minerals and Southeast Asia with Dr. Alvin Camba

    This episode looks at the geopolitics of critical minerals in Southeast Asia with Dr. Alvin Camba. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  36. EP125: Indonesia’s Economic Tremors with Siwage Negara

    This episode analyzes Indonesia's economic tremors with economist Dr Siwage Negara. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  37. EP124: Thailand’s Election with Ken Lohatepanont

    This episode looks at Thailand’s 2026 general election with University of Michigan scholar Ken Lohatepanont, examining the victory of Bhumjaitai party, losses by Pheu Thai and People’s Party, changing voting patterns and implications ahead. Stay informed on our website:...

  38. EP123: Myanmar Five Years On

    This episode looks at Myanmar’s junta’s election and reflects on the five-year anniversary of the 2021 coup. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  39. EP122: Philippines ASEAN Chairmanship with Dr. Don McLain Gill

    This episode looks ahead at what to expect with the 2026 ASEAN chairmanship of the Philippines with Dr. Don McLain Gill. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  40. EP121: Contextualizing Vietnam’s Party Congress with Nguyen Khac Giang

    This episode examines the Vietnam Party Congress with Nguyen Khac Giang, tracing developments and broader ongoing political reforms taking place in Vietnam. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  41. EP120: Cambodia Scam Centers with Jacob Sims

    This episode looks at the extradition of Chen Xi to China from Cambodia and the broader geopolitics of Cambodia’s scam economy with Harvard University Asia Center Visiting Fellow Jacob Sims. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  42. EP119: Looking Back at 2025

    This episode looks back at political developments in 2025, drawing attention to geopolitics, Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship, domestic power consolidation and strain and pressures for change. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  43. EP118: Myanmar's Junta Polls w/ Billy Ford

    This episode looks at contemporary Myanmar politics at the end of the 2025 with SEAPI political analyst/fellow Billy Ford, focusing on the Myanmar junta election, challenges for the opposition/resistance and what to look out for ahead. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  44. EP117: Economic Shocks and Southeast Asia’s Resilience with Roland Rajah

    This episode looks at the economy in Southeast Asia over the past year with Lowi Institute's Roland Rajah, highlighting shocks, resilience and variation across the region. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  45. EP116: Climate Governance in Southeast Asia with Sharon Seah

    This episode looks at the recent COP30 meeting in Belem Brazil and how developments at the meeting connect to Southeast Asia, as well as policy trends around climate governance in ASEAN with Sharon Seah. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  46. EP115: Regional Lessons from Sabah Polls

    This episode catches up on developments in the region after the Sabah polls hiatus and fleshes out the lessons from Malaysia’s Sabah’s 2025 state polls for understanding the region’s changing politics. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  47. EP114: AI Governance in Southeast Asia w/ Michael Bak

    This episode looks at AI governance in Southeast Asia with Michael Bak, Head of Policy & Network of AI Safety Asia. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  48. EP113: Trump Comes to Malaysia / ASEAN with Dr. Ilango Karuppannan

    This episode looks at US President Trump’s visit to Malaysia and the 47th ASEAN Summit/Meetings in Kuala Lumpur chaired by PM Anwar Ibrahim with Dr. Ilango Karuppanan. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  49. EP112: Myanmar and ASEAN with Dr. Moe Thuzar

    This episode looks at how ASEAN has handled the conflict in Myanmar over the past year with Malaysia as Chair with Dr. Moe Thuzar of Singapore’s Iseas Yusof Ishak Institute. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

  50. EP111: Timor Leste Enters ASEAN with Ivo Ribiero

    This episode looks at Timor Leste’s entry into ASEAN with scholar and NBR Fellow Ivo Ribiero. Stay informed on our website: https://straighttalkseasia.com/

View all 162 episodes →

About this show

Welcome to Straight Talk Southeast Asia. In this podcast, host, political analyst and academic, Dr. Bridget Welsh covers politics, current affairs, developments and other news in Southeast Asia, all for your listening pleasure. Episodes cover the latest developments every week, so it's best to listen to the latest episode to get to know what's happening. See you soon!

This show is produced by Renegade Radio.

Hosted by

Renegade Radio

Categories

News Politics

Frequently asked questions

How many episodes does Straight Talk Southeast Asia have?

Straight Talk Southeast Asia has 162 episodes on PodParley. The most recent episode was published on October 30, 2026.

What is Straight Talk Southeast Asia about?

Welcome to Straight Talk Southeast Asia. In this podcast, host, political analyst and academic, Dr. Bridget Welsh covers politics, current affairs, developments and other news in Southeast Asia, all for your listening pleasure. Episodes cover the latest developments every week, so it's best to...

How often does Straight Talk Southeast Asia release new episodes?

Straight Talk Southeast Asia publishes weekly, based on its 162 episodes since February 2023.

Who hosts Straight Talk Southeast Asia?

Straight Talk Southeast Asia is created and hosted by Renegade Radio.
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