Eyes on Southeast Asia

Dr. Dino Patti Djalal hosted Nobel Laureate Jose Ramos-Horta in a conversation titled "Timor Leste: Hard Lessons from the Past, High Hopes for the Future".

Jose shared his reflections on the development of Timor Leste and his worldview on the state of the world. He expressed his opinion on the implications of the Russia-Ukraine War on the global order, the great power relations that influence the regional geopolitical chessboard, his observations on Southeast Asia-Timor Leste relations, and what it takes for a lasting peace. He also explained the meaning of Indonesia and Timor-Leste’s complete reconciliation, which came from a complex relationship into a positive and productive relationship.

This is a special episode of Eyes on Southeast Asia featuring Malaysian Foreign Minister. 

FPCI had the pleasure to host His Excellency during his visit to Jakarta. Dr Dino and Dato' Saifuddin talked candidly on various issues from Malaysia’s foreign policy outlook and priorities to the current geopolitical situation facing our region (AUKUS, ASEAN and the Quad)

In this episode, Dr. Rizal Sukma, shared his point of view on the new U.S.-led trilateral pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, known as the AUKUS. Together with Dr. Rizal, we explored the implications of the alliance to the region, especially Indonesia—how Indonesia can respond to the regional dynamic caused by the AUKUS—and the growing geopolitical rivalry as well as the arms race and its impact on Southeast Asia.

Dr. Dino Patti Djalal chatted with Alexander Feldman (Chairman, President & CEO of the  US-ASEAN Business Council) about US businesses and investments in Southeast Asia.

In this episode, Prof Richard Heydarian is sharing about his upcoming new book on ASEAN and China relations. Moreover, they also talked about how President Duterte is a unique leader in the context of the Philippines’ history and the current state of the triangular relations between the Philippines, the US, and China. Tune in to find out what other intriguing arguments Richard points in his new book. 

In this episode, Jamil Maidan Flores hosted Cesar Purisima (Philippines), Simon Tay (Singapore), and Evan Laksmana (Indonesia) as they reflected upon the latest US-China Alaska meeting. Tune in to this episode to find out about the speakers' views on the meeting and what they have to say on how ASEAN should respond to the rivalry between the two powers. They also explored the possibility of the US welcoming the BRI and similarly of China embracing FOIP.

Together with Dr. Aladdin D. Rillo, the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Economic Community (2018-2021), we talked extensively about the progress and challenges of ASEAN economic integration. We also explore intra-ASEAN trade, green agenda as a part of ASEAN economic integration, how ASEAN members can make the most from RCEP, connectivity infrastructure projects, SMEs and others. 

In this episode, Dr. Dino Patti Djalal discusses Myanmar’s coup d’état with Michael Vatikiotis and Prof. Dewi Fortuna Anwar.

Issues discussed in this episode: how is the recent military coup different from the previous coups, what is known about General Min Aung Hlaing is, factionalism within the Tatmadaw , Aung San Suu Kyi’s evolving relationship with the Tatmadaw, the effectiveness of sanctions, which external power/s should take the lead on this issue, response to the Chair’s Statement on the Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, China and India’s influence in Myanmar, and more.

Michael Vatikiotis is the Singapore-based director of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue and author of Blood And Silk: Power and Conflict In Modern Southeast Asia. 

Prof. Dewi Fortuna Anwar is former foreign policy advisor to the Vice President Jusuf Kalla, co-founder of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia and also research professor at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences.

In this episode, Dr. Dino Patti Djalal discusses Southeast Asia’s response to President Biden’s first foreign policy speech with both Amb. Ngurah Swajaya and Dr. Nguyen Hung Son. Amb. Ngurah Swajaya and Dr. Nguyen Hung Son delve into the realities that President Biden’s speech will have on Southeast Asia, from how his new administration is being received in place of the Trump administration. They further discuss the importance of US leadership in the region, the upcoming democracy summit, the possibility of cooperation with China, how Biden will reorient ‘The Quad’ in the Indo-Pacific under his administration, and how to re-energize US engagement with ASEAN.

In this episode, Dr Dino Patti Djalal sits together with  Sidney Jones to discuss the evolving challenge of terrorism in Southeast Asia. A renowned expert on terrorism, Sidney gives us important insights and analysis on returning ISIS fighters, the activities of Jamaah Islamiyah and other groups, the impact of Abu Bakar Basyir's release, country-by-country assessment on terrorist threats, the next generation of potential terrorists, cross border terrorist activities, new recruitment methods, stories behind the 2019 Jolo bombings, terrorism in the Rakhine State, bilateral and trilateral counter-terrorism cooperation, and many more.