Dialogues at Fulcrum

Fulcrum editor Dr William Choong speaks to Dr Napon Jatusripitak, Acting Coordinator of the Thailand Studies Programme at ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute, about the recent political shifts in Thai domestic politics. They examine the rise of Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of the Bhumjaithai Party (BJP), the BJP’s awkward partnership with the People’s Party (PP), and competition between the country’s political left and right.1:19 – The rise of Thailand’s new Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the legacy of the Bhumjaithai party (BJP)7:10 – The breakup of the coalition led by the Pheu Thai (PT) party11:40 – The BJP and People’s Party (PP): “strange bedfellows”21:30 – Weighing the upcoming general elections24:30 – Ruing the future of PT29:50 – Contradictions between Thailand’s political left and right33:30 – Political disillusionment of Thailand’s youth votersDialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

Fulcrum editor Lee Hwok Aun speaks with Stephen Olson,Visiting Senior Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, on making sense of the Trump tariffs and thinking through the unpredictabilities. 2:38 – How Trump 2.0 differs from Trump 1.0 and Biden10:07 – How to understand the “deals”16:00 – Threat of semiconductor tariffs and forced semiconductor investment in the US19:47 – The transshipment problem23:34 – Southeast Asia’s tariff rates25:59 – Negotiating with the Trump administration; outlookfor Myanmar and Laos29:28 – Implications on trade and export-led development32:30 – US domestic politics and law as possible moderatingforces35:40 – US-China rivalry and role of China in the worldeconomyDialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

Fulcrum editor Julia Lau talks to Dr Yanuar Nugroho about the progress of and myriad challenges facing Indonesia's new capital city, Nusantara.1:10 – Overview of Nusantara’s status as a national project under the Prabowo Subianto administration6:55 – Challenges facing Nusantara’s development and “success indicators” to look out for9:10 – Foreign investments…10:20 – Feedback and experiences of civil servants who have moved to Nusantara13:35 – Governance of Nusantara and technical versus political aspects of development19:50 – Environmental degradation, land and indigenous rights, and other concerns in Nusantara25:16 – Strategic recommendations for Nusantara’s progress and developmentDialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. 

Fulcrum editor Lee Hwok Aun and Malaysia Studies Programme Coordinator Francis Hutchinson speak with Liew Chin Tong, Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry. Their conversation spans Malaysia’s challenges in engineering a second industrial take-off, implementing reforms, and navigating global uncertainties.1:18 – Malaysia and Singapore at this historical juncture3:31 – Scepticism and optimism in politics; Malaysia’s second take-off9:28 – Malaysia’s potential second take-off compared to the first (late 1980s-1997)13:28 – Maintaining neutrality and multilateralism in the current global milieu22:22 – Rafizi Ramli’s resignation as Minister of Economy23:43 – Policies in the second half of the Madani government’s five-year term29:20 – Reformasi generation perspective on the state of reforms36:15 – Top priority institutional reform41:41 – Relations within the Unity Government coalition46:33 – Perikatan Nasional’s cohesion and electoral competitiveness50:57 – When will state elections and 16th General Election happen?Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

Fulcrum editor William Choong talks to Niclas Kvarnström, Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service (EEAS), about the European Union’s evolving approaches to the Indo-Pacific.1:28 – Niclas Kvarnström’s role as the MD for Asia and the Pacific in the EEAS4:27 – Niclas Kvarnström’s assessment of French President Emmanuel Macron’s keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue7:35 – Views on trade negotiations between the EU and ASEAN member states, and the EU’s place in larger regional trading blocs in the Pacific12:30 – The dichotomous results of the State of Southeast Asia Survey 2025, showing that the EU is Southeast Asia’s second-most-trusted partner, yet ranks low in strategic relevance21:19 – On whether European security forces can continue to participate in the Indo-Pacific given pressing priorities closer to home24:44 – On US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth’s call for US allies in Asia to spend 5 per cent of their GDP on defence27:30 – What can the EU do to manage hotspots in the Indo-PacificDialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

Fulcrum editor Lee Hwok Aun converses with Minister Nik Nazmi about the urgent challenges of sustainability and climate change from Malaysian and ASEAN perspectives.2:28 –  Why write this book?6:26 –  An integrated approach to complex problems10:25 –  Malaysia’s development model – retrospective self-criticism and new framework14:53 –  From activism to government18:25 –  What needs to happen before Malaysia’s next general election22:07 –  Malaysia’s targeted carbon tax plans23:43 –  Malaysia’s response to the US withdrawal from global climate action26:28 –  ASEAN power grid30:07 –  Communicating the message effectivelyDialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. 

Fulcrum editor William Choong discusses Australia’s strategic choices amid intensifying Sino-US rivalry and increased geopolitical flux with Prof Nick Bisley.3:08 –  Australia’s “extreme strategic loneliness” under Trump 2.012:50 –  AUKUS submarines: will Australia get them?21:30 –  Is there a method in Trump’s “madness”?28:00 –  Has Trump 2.0 given China a window of opportunity?37:10 –  How can Southeast Asian countries cope in such a changed environment?41:30 –  Wherefore the Quad if the US withdraws from it?Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

Fulcrum editor Julia Lau speaks to Ambassador Alex Tilman about Timor-Leste's imminent accession to ASEAN and its implications. They delve into aspects of Timor-Leste's identity as a Lusophone, small island, and majority Catholic nation-state.1:40 –  Introducing Ambassador Alex Tilman3:17 –  How the global uptick in tensions affects Timor-Leste and ASEAN5:35 –  How Timor-Leste hopes to diversify its economy10:50 –  Timor-Leste’s identity and priorities as a Lusophone and small island nation-state14:27 –  How Timor-Leste’s being majority Catholic affects its identity and foreign policy16:55 –  The NGO, Maluk Timor18:30 –  What can travellers to Timor-Leste expect?21:05 –  Ambassador Tilman’s journey to diplomacyDialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

Fulcrum editor Julia Lau discusses the complex issue of Cambodia-Vietnam relations in light of their new leadership. One issue examined is Cambodia's recent withdrawal from the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area and what it means for the region. 2:07 – Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLVDTA) 9:26 – “Losers all around?” Vietnam’s view on Cambodia’s withdrawal from CLVDTA 13:30 – The role of individual leaders in geopolitics: new leaders in Vietnam and Cambodia testing their powers? 25:00 – Short-term prognosis for bilateral relations 37:12 – How to build trust and longer-term bilateral outlook 41:04 – Dealing with US and China: Hedging, Balancing, or …? 44:20 – The South China Sea dispute 45:54 – Cambodia’s reaction to the first Trump win in the US presidential election (PE) 2016 versus PE2024 49:53 – Cambodia’s agency 55:00 – How small nation-states can stabilise ties and enhance multilateral cooperation Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

Fulcrum editor Julia Lau discusses the latest dramatic political events and the new government in Thailand with Acting Coordinator of ISEAS' Thailand Studies Programme, Dr Napon Jatusripitak. 1:11 –  How did the Srettha Thavisin administration come to an end? 4:28 –  Judicial overreach in Srettha's dismissal 9:50 –  The weaknesses of democratic institutions 12:45 –  Dissolution of Move Forward Party and its implications 19:55 –  Paetongtarn Shinawatra's rise to premiership 26:16 –  Prospects for Paetongtarn's administration and Pheu Thai 29:43 –  Putting Thailand back in international politics? 31:30 –  "Digital Wallet" scheme 36:30 –  The new Cabinet 40:52 –  Family ties in the Cabinet 50:45 –  Dr Jatusripitak's research journey Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

William Choong, Fulcrum’s Managing Editor and ISEAS Senior Fellow, discusses the recent leadership changes in Vietnam with Dr Nguyen Khac Giang, a visiting fellow at ISEAS’ Vietnam Studies Programme (VSP), and Dr Le Hong Hiep, the coordinator of the VSP. 1:39 – Drivers of Vietnam’s leadership changes 3:55 – Vietnam’s political future under General Secretary To Lam 10:28 – The durability of Vietnam’s anti-corruption drive 14:42 – Perceptions of To Lam’s public security background 18:50 – Changes in Vietnam’s economic direction 24:50 – The future of Vietnam’s “bamboo diplomacy” 28:20 – Vietnam’s future relations with Russia 30:25 – The future of the Vietnam-US relationship Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

William Choong, Fulcrum's Managing Editor and ISEAS Senior Fellow, discusses the recent Japan-Philippines reciprocal access agreement with Dr Aries Arugay, the coordinator of the institute’s Philippine Studies Programme, and Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science, at the University of the Philippines-Diliman. 1:30 – An overview of ISEAS’ Philippine Studies Programme⁠ 7:12 – The significance of the Japan-Philippines reciprocal access agreement (RAA) 14:10 – How the RAA will help in Manila’s contest of wills with Beijing 22:51 – Will recent China-Philippines bilateral consultation mechanisms soothe tensions? 31:25 – Will the conclusion of Conduct of Conduct negotiations on the South China Sea resolve the tensions there? 37:53 – How bigger trends such as Sino-US rivalry and a new US administration come 2025 affect Manila’s position Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

William Choong, Fulcrum's Managing Editor and ISEAS Senior Fellow, discusses the second volume of S. Rajaratnam's authorised biography, the Lion's Roar, with author and ISEAS writer-in-residence Irene Ng. 2:20 – An introduction by the author and her inspiration for the biography 7:21 – The themes in the biography which resonated most with the author 13:40 – Some trials and triumphs in writing the biography 18:40 – Would S. Rajaratnam have persisted in pushing the “Malaysian Malaysia” concept if he had known that it would not have been successful? 24:00 – How did S. Rajaratnam, the foreign minister of a small country, succeed in working with ASEAN to get Vietnam to withdraw from Cambodia in the end? 30:20 – S. Rajaratnam’s astuteness in dealing with China and the United States 35:01 – Intriguing aspects of S. Rajaratnam the man, his interests and his “inner spirit” 40:25 – S. Rajaratnam’s quest to go beyond material things to higher ideals 46:16 – A key takeaway that young Singaporeans should draw from S. Rajaratnam’s life Dialogues at Fulcrum is a ⁠podcast⁠ published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

Fulcrum editor Lee Hwok Aun and ISEAS Malaysia Studies Programme Coordinator Francis Hutchinson discuss Malaysia's long reform journey and the hits and misses of Anwar Ibrahim's administration, with Meredith Weiss, ISEAS Visiting Senior Fellow and Professor of Political Science at the University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY). Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. For quick reference, the themes below were discussed: 2:14 – About Prof Weiss: beginnings of interest in Malaysia and Southeast Asia 5:12 – Important milestones in Malaysia’s reform journey 10:24 – Role of political leadership 15:10 – Most feasible and high-impact reforms for the Anwar administration 21:54 – Policy messaging and broad-based reforms 28:00 – Reform failures and missed opportunities 30:30 – Is Malaysian democracy maturing? 32:42 – What has civil society contributed and learned? 37:11 – Pakatan’s lack of sustained reforms compared to other countries 42:28 – Grading Malaysia’s reform achievement

Fulcrum editor Julia Lau discusses the recent Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) and the significance of two decades of the SLD with IISS Executive Director, Veerle Nouwens. Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. For quick reference, the themes below were discussed: 0:55 – More about Veerle Nouwens 3:20 – Are the US and China engaging in "duelling narratives"? 11:11 – SLD's impact on US-China dialogue 16:22 – Has China won over the region? 23:03 – Is dialogue sufficient to resolve tensions over the South China Sea? 28:00 – Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's appearance at SLD and upcoming peace summit in Switzerland 35:02 – Other themes arising from SLD 21 37:27 – Veerle's advice to aspiring thinktankers

Fulcrum editor and Co-Coordinator of Indonesia Studies Programme Julia Lau discusses the United States' role and policies in Southeast Asia with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Melissa Brown, the day after her public address at ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute on 13 March 2024. Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. For quick reference, the themes below were discussed: 1:23 – Sino-U.S. relations 3:20 – U.S.-ASEAN cooperation 4:33 – U.S.-Singapore relations 6:04 – Regional architecture and ‘minilaterals’ 10:15 – U.S. presence in the region amidst a more uncertain world 16:30 – Southeast Asia’s reaction to U.S. policy on Palestine after the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel 22:37 – The U.S.’ economic engagement in the region  33:12 – DAS Brown reflects on her career and experiences as a diplomat in the U.S. Foreign Service 

Fulcrum editor Julia Lau sits down with Dr Udan Fernando, former Executive Director (2012-2020) of the Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA), a Sri Lankan think tank. Based in Singapore and working as a consultant with the Association for Asian Studies (AAS), Dr Fernando is currently working on a project to develop under-represented scholars in the humanities and social sciences in Cambodia, India, Pakistan, Timor-Leste and Thailand. The topic of their discussion is his recent documentary, “Not So Greener Pastures”, on four individuals who migrated to Timor-Leste and related issues, including Timor-Leste’s expected accession to ASEAN.  Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. For quick reference, the themes below were discussed: 2:40 – How Dr Fernando combines academia with his documentary filmmaking 5:20 – How the idea for the documentary came about 9:45 – How the protagonists in Dr Fernando’s documentary migrated to Timor-Leste  21:40 – What the film says to global and regional audiences 27:20 – Recalling Timor’s “transition” from UN control and early development as an independent entity, including the role of Singapore in helping to set up the Timorese police force 33:54 – How Dr Fernando sees the issue of Timor Leste’s accession to ASEAN

In this episode, Dr William Choong, Managing Editor of Fulcrum, and Dr Jayant Menon, Senior Fellow at ISEAS, talk to Prof Sophal Ear, Associate Professor at the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University, about the political transition in Cambodia. Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute. For quick reference, the themes below were discussed: 2:34 – Reflections on the historic political transition from long-serving Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen to his son, Hun Manet 9:55 – Will fairly widespread instances of dynastic succession in Cambodia constitute a concern? 15:46 – Will Cambodia become a more inclusive society under Hun Manet? 23:57 – The direction of Cambodia-China relations going forward 31:30 – Cambodia’s astute handling of its role as ASEAN Chair in 2022 35:40 – Will there be changes in Cambodia’s economic policy? 49:38 – The implications of the Ream naval base Prof Ear lectures on global political economy, international organisations, and regional management in Asia. He wrote and narrated the award-winning documentary film "The End/ Beginning: Cambodia" based on his 2009 TED Talk and has appeared in five other documentaries. A graduate of Princeton and Berkeley, he moved to the U.S. from France as a Cambodian refugee at the age of 10.

In this dialogue, which follows on his May 16th podcast, “Defining Tests for UMNO, Anwar and the Unity Government”, Khairy Jamaluddin discusses the main arena of those defining tests: the August 12th Peninsular state elections (PRN2023). Khairy speaks with Fulcrum editor Dr Lee Hwok Aun and Dr Francis Hutchinson, both Senior Fellows at ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute, about the outcomes and implications of PRN2023. The Perikatan Nasional coalition dominated in the three Northern Malay states, while the PH-BN Unity coalition of coalitions retained the three more ethnically mixed states on the west coast– with significant ground ceded to PN. The dialogue considers the continuities and changes we can expect in Malaysian federal and state politics. Khairy is a Visiting Senior Fellow at ISEAS, and was a three-time member of Malaysia’s parliament representing Rembau. He has served as Minister of Youth and Sports; Science, Technology and Innovation; and Health. 2:15 – Ground-level observations of PN (Bersatu) and PH-BN (UMNO) campaigns 8:24 – Election results: any effect on Khairy joining/rejoining either party? 9:52 – Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s strategic options to win Malay support 15:18 – What do Perikatan Nasional’s sweeping wins in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu say about Malay politics and the PAS-Bersatu alliance? 19:19 – Generational change in PAS: The roles of Sanusi Md Nor in Kedah and Samsuri Mokhtar in Terengganu going forward 23:23 – PH-BN leaders and Menteris Besar: Who made a mark on PRN2023? 26:02 – How well did PH-BN collaborate in PRN2023 and what lessons should the Unity government take moving forward? 28:39 – Is the PN surge still an anti-UMNO protest or has PN secured a base? 32:13 – What next for UMNO? Is Zahid Hamidi’s discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) a boon or bane? 35:12 – Anwar Ibrahim administration: Political implications of PRN2023 and signature policies

In this episode, William Choong, managing editor of Fulcrum, talks to James Crabtree, executive director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (Asia), the London-headquartered think tank which runs the annual Shangri-La Dialogue. Held annually, the Dialogue covers a broad range of regional security issues. This year, the focus will likely be on the state of Sino-U.S. relations. Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. For quick reference, the themes below were discussed: 1:51 – Expectations about the 2023 Shangri-La Dialogue 3:45 – China's representation at the Dialogue 7:09 – Interactions between the IISS and the People's Liberation Army  10:45 – Taking the pulse of Sino-U.S. relations 16:11 – Highlights of the 2023 Shangri-La Dialogue 19:37 – The keynote address by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese 25:02 – Discussion topics at the Dialogue 29:13 – Concluding thoughts