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Dialogues at Fulcrum

Dialogues at Fulcrum

By ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute

Dialogues at Fulcrum provides an insider's perspective on the ever-evolving landscape of Southeast Asia. We speak to researchers at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute (ISEAS), as well as external speakers, on topics related to Southeast Asia and its wider geostrategic and economic environment. Dialogues at Fulcrum is published by ISEAS. Established as an autonomous organisation by the Singapore Government in 1968, ISEAS is a regional research centre dedicated to the study of socio-political, security and economic trends and developments in Southeast Asia.
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Dialogues at Fulcrum: Interview with Parag Khanna on his book The Future is Asian

Dialogues at FulcrumMay 11, 2021

00:00
44:23
The United States of America in Southeast Asia: A Conversation with DAS Melissa Brown

The United States of America in Southeast Asia: A Conversation with DAS Melissa Brown

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 

Mar 21, 202436:30
Talking about Timor-Leste with Udan Fernando

Talking about Timor-Leste with Udan Fernando

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

Feb 27, 202441:12
Cambodia's Political Transition

Cambodia's Political Transition

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.

Sep 19, 202354:08
Malaysia Post-PRN2023: Stay the Course or Change Direction?

Malaysia Post-PRN2023: Stay the Course or Change Direction?

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

Sep 13, 202339:38
The Shangri-La Dialogue at 20

The Shangri-La Dialogue at 20

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

Jun 01, 202335:53
Defining Tests for UMNO, Anwar and the Unity Government

Defining Tests for UMNO, Anwar and the Unity Government

Fulcrum editor Dr Lee Hwok Aun and Dr Francis Hutchinson, both Senior Fellows at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, speak with Khairy Jamaluddin on a broad range of Malaysian political and policy issues. Six months after the 15th general election, UMNO, Prime Minister Anwar, and the unity government are each facing distinct challenges that will test their ability to reform, govern, contest state elections, and sustain the ruling coalition.

Khairy is a Visiting Senior Fellow at ISEAS, and was three-time member of Malaysia’s parliament representing Rembau. He has served as Minister of Youth and Sports; Science, Technology and Innovation; and Health.

Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. For quick reference, the questions below were addressed during the podcast:

1:45 – Political icons like Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim have been cast into the political wilderness in the past – and made illustrious comebacks. What are Khairy’s plans in light of recent travails?

5:20 – Can UMNO be reformed?

8:18 – What is the future of moderate politics and centrist policies in Malaysia?

13:11 – How is the Anwar Ibrahim administration doing in balancing inclusive, need-based policies with specific community – especially Malay – concerns?

17:58 - Can Pakatan, and PKR in particular, expand their traction among Malays?

23:13 – How will the PH-BN unity government strategise their seat allocations and campaigns for the upcoming state elections? Does PH-BN have any chance of making any inroads in the northern states?

30:55 – Beyond the state elections and into the second half of 2023, what are PM Anwar’s main opportunities and pitfalls?

38:10 – In what areas is Malaysia heading in the right direction? Where is it heading in the wrong direction?

May 16, 202343:16
Indonesia’s Democracy after 25 Years of Reformasi: Rights, Wrongs, and Reflections

Indonesia’s Democracy after 25 Years of Reformasi: Rights, Wrongs, and Reflections

In this Dialogues at Fulcrum podcast, Fulcrum editor Julia Lau discusses the direction of Indonesian democracy with Dr Deasy Simandjuntak and Mr Made Supriatma, 25 years after the momentous fall of Suharto. Rights, wrongs and reflections: which way forward for Indonesia with the 2024 elections?

Dialogues at Fulcrum is a ⁠podcast⁠ published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. For quick reference, the themes below were addressed during the podcast:

2:40 – Setting the stage and guests' preliminary assessments on the work cut out for the three frontrunner presidential candidates

11:40 – Interesting juncture in Indonesian politics for coalition formation

16:53 – Context of Indonesia's presidential election and prospects for a run-off

19:28 – Prabowo Subianto's possible trajectory and popularity

24:50 – Possibility of a strong vice-president in 2024

29:14 – Youth vote and "voice"

35:00 – Partai Buruh (Labour Party) as an alternative?

40:19 – Is Indonesia a democracy?

May 14, 202352:45
Ukraine and Southeast Asia: Implications One Year On

Ukraine and Southeast Asia: Implications One Year On

In this episode of Dialogues at Fulcrum, Dr William Choong, Managing Editor of Fulcrum, talks to Ambassador Kateryna Zelenko and Prof C. Raja Mohan about the implications of the war against Ukraine on Southeast Asia. Ambassador Zelenko is the Ukrainian ambassador to Singapore and long-serving diplomat with her country’s Foreign Ministry. Prof Mohan is a Senior Fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New Delhi, a contributing editor on International affairs at the Indian Express and a visiting professor at the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore.

Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. For quick reference, the themes below were addressed during the podcast:

2:36 – The war in Ukraine has now become a long-drawn war, with neither side gaining the upper hand. How do you see it in the second year?

8:30 – There are heartening stories about ordinary Ukrainians – computer programmers, mums and other civilians – fighting for their country. Is there something that people in Singapore and Southeast Asia can learn from?

17:10 – Why have Southeast Asian countries taken such varied responses to the invasion of Ukraine? Do they not get the full import and implications of the war against Ukraine?

24:10 – What can ASEAN countries do to support Ukraine?

33:33 – The Chinese have taken a nuanced position towards the war against Ukraine. How will the Chinese position evolve?

38:30 – India scored high marks in the recent 2023 State of Southeast Asia Survey published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, but New Delhi has failed to condemn the invasion of Ukraine. How do we interpret the findings?

Feb 22, 202347:48
Indonesia's Foreign Policy and New Capital Plans

Indonesia's Foreign Policy and New Capital Plans

Dr Deasy Simandjuntak discusses with Fulcrum editor Julia Lau her analysis of Indonesia's foreign policy goals and direction post-G20 in 2022 and in advance of its ASEAN chairmanship in 2023. Other topics they talk about are Indonesia's regional leadership, the planned new capital of Indonesia, and Dr Simandjuntak's future research projects.

Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. For quick reference, the themes below were addressed during the podcast:

1:07 – Indonesia's foreign policy

4:47 – De-escalating situation in Ukraine and examples of Indonesia's approach

5:18 – Myanmar crisis: ASEAN's reactions and the Five-Point Consensus

7:48 – Options available to ASEAN regarding Myanmar

11:40 – Indonesia as a middle power

17:20 – Planned new capital of Indonesia, Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN)

27:08 – IKN as a "smart, green" city

28:30 – Potential issues regarding inequalities in IKN and in-migration

35:45 – Dr Simandjuntak's next research goals

Dec 14, 202243:46
Why UNCLOS Matters to Singapore and the World

Why UNCLOS Matters to Singapore and the World

Fulcrum editor Julia Lau discusses the significance of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982) with NUS Assistant Professor of Law, Dr Tara Davenport.

Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

For quick reference, the themes below were addressed during the podcast:

2:05 –  What UNCLOS Is

3:03 –  Why do we care about UNCLOS, 40 years on?

5:40 –  UNCLOS establishing law and order for the oceans

6:35 –  Singapore’s role as a major flag state

7:55 –  Singapore’s role in forging UNCLOS

11:44 –  Archipelagic states and regime, with discussion of Indonesia and the Philippines

14:43 –  Article 51 of UNCLOS

17:15 –  International impact and implications of the U.S.’s non-ratification of UNCLOS

22:36 –  Relevance and longevity of UNCLOS

Sep 26, 202231:42
The Implications of Najib Razak’s Jail Term

The Implications of Najib Razak’s Jail Term

In this episode of Dialogues at Fulcrum, William Choong, Managing Editor of Fulcrum, talks to Francis Hutchinson and Lee Hwok Aun about the implications of the jailing of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. Dr Hutchinson and Dr Lee are the Coordinator and Co-coordinator of ISEAS’ Malaysia Studies Programme respectively.

Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

For quick reference, the themes below were addressed during the podcast:

1:25 –  Immediate political impacts of Najib serving his jail term

17:00 – Najib’s ability to refashion his political image and the state of Malaysian politics

21:00 – UMNO’s prospects going into the next general elections

25:00 – The impact of the Littoral Combat Ship scandal on UMNO

29:18 – Pakatan Harapan’s priorities going into GE15

Sep 01, 202240:53
The Taiwan Crisis and Implications on Southeast Asia

The Taiwan Crisis and Implications on Southeast Asia

In this episode of Dialogues at Fulcrum, William Choong, Managing Editor of Fulcrum, talks to Drew Thompson about the latest Taiwan Strait crisis and the implications on Southeast Asia. Mr Thompson is a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. The discussion centred on the relevance of the crisis to Southeast Asia, the future of Sino-US competition and the roles that Southeast Asian countries can play.

Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute

For quick reference, the themes below were addressed during the podcast:

2:10 - Why the Latest Taiwan Crisis Matters to Southeast Asia

4:51 - Who (China or the US) Provoked the crisis?

9:40 - Why the Taiwan Crisis Matters to Southeast Asia

18:20 - Sino-US Competition: Are There Any Off-ramps?

24:23 - Explaining the Co-Equal System in America’s Political System

31:08 - A Potential Chinese Blockade of Taiwan and Risks of Miscalculation

37:48 - What Roles Can Southeast Asian Countries Play in a Taiwan Conflict?

Aug 24, 202250:25
Scaling the Shangri-La Dialogue

Scaling the Shangri-La Dialogue

In this episode, William Choong, managing editor of Fulcrum, talks to James Crabtree, executive director of International Institute for Strategic Studies (Asia), the London-headquartered think tank which runs the annual Shangri-La Dialogue. The dialogue is an annual meeting of defence ministers from Asia and beyond, and is covered widely by media from around the world. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the dialogue was postponed in 2020 and 2021.

Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

For quick reference, the themes below were discussed:

8:39 - Themes that Fumio Kishida, the Japanese prime minister, could raise as keynote speaker

13:48 - The United States and the Indo-Pacific

18:18 - China’s run-up to the Shangri-la Dialogue

23:07 - How the return of in-person meetings changes regional diplomacy

Jun 06, 202229:23
Russia, Ukraine and ASEAN: Reading the Geo-political Tea Leaves

Russia, Ukraine and ASEAN: Reading the Geo-political Tea Leaves

In this episode of Dialogues at Fulcrum, William Choong, Managing Editor of Fulcrum, talks to three scholars about the 2022 State of Southeast Asia Survey, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the United States’ Indo-Pacific Strategy. Dr Choong spoke to Ms Elina Noor, Director, Political-Security Affairs and Deputy Director of the Washington D.C. office at the Asia Society Policy Institute; Dr Huong Le Thu, a Senior Analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, and Ms Sharon Seah, Coordinator of the ASEAN Study Centre at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

For quick reference, the themes below were addressed during the podcast:

2:20 - Impressions of the 2022 State of Southeast Survey Report

8:19 - Increased regional confidence in the Biden Administration

12:58 - US Indo-Pacific Economic Framework: Being Passed Out or Passing Out?

15:47 - The Quad: Tangible Deliverables to the Region and the Bigger Picture

17:50 - China Gaining Traction in Free Trade Agreements

25:08 - Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: Implications for Southeast Asia

30:00 - China: ‘Taiwan is not Ukraine’

35:03 - Is US’ Indo-Pacific Strategy akin to NATO’s eastward expansion in Europe?

Mar 29, 202242:47
ASEAN Summits: Be Like Water

ASEAN Summits: Be Like Water

In this episode of Dialogues at Fulcrum, William Choong, Managing Editor of Fulcrum, talks to ISEAS researchers Moe Thuzar and Sharon Seah about the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits. They discuss the key highlights of the meetings, ASEAN’s continued engagement with external powers such as Australia, China and the United States, and Cambodia’s chairing of ASEAN in 2022.

Moe Thuzar is the Co-coordinator of the Myanmar Studies Programme. Sharon Seah is the Coordinator of the ASEAN Studies Centre.

Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

For quick reference, the themes below were addressed during the podcast:

1:10 - Highlights from the 2021 ASEAN Summits

3:08 - Why the Summits matter to ASEAN citizens

6:23 - The concept of non-interference: in evolution?

10:18 - China and Cambodia’s chairmanship of ASEAN

14:04 - China, the United States and Myanmar

18:21 - Biggest takeaways from the Summits

21:54 - The impact of a ‘virtual’ summit

25:56 - ASEAN centrality and Myanmar

31:31 - The “true beauty” of ASEAN: shape shifting

33:30 - The SAC’s legal challenge to ASEAN: holding water, be like water

Nov 05, 202138:28
In Conversation: ASEAN's Special Mission to Myanmar

In Conversation: ASEAN's Special Mission to Myanmar

In this episode of Dialogues at Fulcrum, William Choong, Managing Editor of Fulcrum, talks to two ISEAS researchers about the ongoing political developments in Myanmar after the February 2021 coup. They discuss the impending visit of ASEAN’s Special Envoy to Myanmar, and the challenges and opportunities that will come with the trip.

Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute

For quick reference, the themes below were addressed during the podcast:

2:25 – A recap of what has happened in Myanmar since February 2021

18:38 – The challenges and opportunities that the ASEAN Special Envoy will face as he prepares for his visit to Myanmar

30:15 – The progress report that the Special Envoy is expected to deliver, and the need for the envoy to visit all stakeholders involved

36:10 – ASEAN processes that will help the Special Envoy for his visit to Myanmar

40:49 – What external powers such as the United States, China and India can do to improve the situation in Myanmar.

47:18 – The general sentiment among Myanmars towards ASEAN

57:29 – What are the milestones to look out for before the ASEAN summit meetings in November?

Sep 06, 202101:07:05
Dialogues at Fulcrum: Interview with Parag Khanna on his book The Future is Asian

Dialogues at Fulcrum: Interview with Parag Khanna on his book The Future is Asian

In this inaugural episode of Dialogues at Fulcrum, William Choong, Managing Editor of Fulcrum, sits down with Parag Khanna, author of “The Future is Asian: Commerce, Conflict and Culture in the 21st Century”. Published in 2019, the book covers a broad spectrum of themes such as Asian history, the region’s economic rise and the ongoing Asianisation of Asia.

Dr Khanna is a leading global strategy advisor, world traveller and author.

Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute.

For quick reference, the themes below were addressed during the podcast.

1:00 - Has the West and Asians themselves accepted the “rise of Asia”?
8:50 - Fears about a gradual US withdrawal from the region
11:05 - Interdependence or pragmatism in Sino-US relations?
15:40 - Does the Quad have legs to run?
21:38 - The US and China: different visions of regional order
32:00 - What kind of traction can ASEAN get on Myanmar?
37:50 - Can Singapore’s model of technocratic governance be replicated?
May 11, 202144:23