This episode of US-Asia Institute's podcast, Asia Unscripted, features Mr. Michael Kugelman, the director of the The Wilson Center's South Asia Institute. He is also a columnist for the Foreign Policy Magazine. His primary research projects include geopolitics in South Asia, U.S.-India technology cooperation, and the role of the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan. He received his M.A. in law and diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University and his B.A. from American University’s School of International Service.
Mr. Kugelman speaks to USAI Program and Communications Assistant, Priyasha Chakravarti, about Bhutan's sustainable development efforts, including concepts such as Gross National Happiness, sustainable development fee, and economic diversification.
Dr. Courtney Work: Cambodia's Approach to Climate Change- A Deep Dive Into their Environmental Policies
This episode of US-Asia Institute's podcast, Asia Unscripted, features Dr. Courtney Work, who is an Associate Professor at National Chengchi Univeristy. Before joining National Chengchi University, Dr. Work completed her PhD at Cornell University, in Ithaca, NY in 2014, after which she spent five years on a research post-doc with the Institute for Social Studies, The Hague, and the Regional Center for Sustainable Development (RCSD) at Chiang Mai University. She researched the intersections of climate change policies and forest-based livelihoods in Cambodia and Myanmar.
Dr. Work speaks to USAI Program Assistant Tarang about Cambodia's past and future initiatives to mitigate climate change.
Ambassador Scot Marciel: Thailand's Foreign Policy: Exploring the Shifting Dynamic of US-Thai Relations
This episode of the US-Asia Institute’s podcast, Asia Unscripted, features Ambassador Scot Marciel. Ambassador Marciel is the Oksenberg-Rohlen Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies. From 2010 to 2013, Ambassador Marciel served as U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia as the first U.S. Ambassador for ASEAN Affairs and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Southeast Asia from 2007 to 2010. Ambassador Marciel is a retired diplomat who has also served as U.S. Ambassador to Myanmar from March 2016 through May 2020. With over 35 years of experience in Asia, Ambassador Marciel is a career diplomat who has also served at U.S. missions in Turkey, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Brazil, and the Philippines.
Ambassador Marciel speaks to USAI Program Assistant Tarang about Thailand's foreign policy habits and its history with the United States.
Dr. Alka Jauhari: Modern India-Pakistan Relations: A look into the history of India and Pakistan’s Politics
This episode of US-Asia Institute's podcast, Asia Unscripted, features Dr. Alka Jauhari, who is a Practitioner In Residence at the Department of Human Sciences of the University of New Haven. Dr. Jauhari has obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Isabella Thoburn College, a Masters Degree in Political Science at Lucknow University, and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Lucknow University as well. Dr. Jauhari’s research includes the South Asian Region, primarily highlighting the exploration of growth and development issues in India, which she has compared with those in the African Countries. Dr. Jauhari’s research also focuses on analyzing political, economic, and social issues within the African Continent.
*Correction: Dr. Jauhari referred to the "British Crown," not the British Queen when answering Question 2.
Dr. Jauhari speaks to USAI Program Assistant Tarang about current India and Pakistan relations along with history surrounding the partition.
Nick Millward: Community Initiatives in Mongolia: Gaining Insight From the Co-Director of the Friends of Mongolia
This episode of US-Asia Institute's podcast, Asia Unscripted, features Nick Millward, who is the U.S. Co-Director of Friends of Mongolia. Nick Millward earned a bachelor’s in international studies at Virginia Military Institute. Upon graduating, he served as an Infantry Officer in the US Marine Corps for 7 years, where he was eventually stationed in Japan, enabling him to travel to Mongolia. He left the military in 2021 and is pursuing a Masters of Peace and Conflict Studies as a Rotary Peace Fellow at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. Nick is developing advanced skills in conflict resolution with a background in Central and East Asian Studies; he has experience collaborating with multiple NGO’s and institutions and is eager to develop a robust network of volunteers and practitioners who strengthen community relations.
Nick speaks to USAI Program Assistant Tarang about the work that Friends of Mongolia does within the country to foster community-building.
The Honorable Sade Bimantara: Celebrating 75 Years of Indonesia-US Relations
This episode of , Asia Unscripted features the Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, The Honorable Sade Bimantara. He is a career diplomat and graduate of Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, where he obtained his Bachelor and Masters in his focuses of interests: economics, finance, and communications.
Mr. Bimantara speaks to USAI Program Assistant Tarang about the 75th anniversary of Indonesia-US relations and how they have changed over the decades.
David Dollar: Southeast Asia and China's Belt and Road Initiative
This episode features Dr. David Dollar, who is a senior fellow in the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution and host of the Brookings trade podcast, Dollar&Sense. David speaks to Amelie about the bilateral partnership between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the respective South East Asian nations, as well as the controversial designation of the infrastructure project as China’s tool for “debt trap diplomacy.”
USAI is deeply saddened by Dr. Dollar’s recent passing, and we are grateful for his collaboration with us over the years
James Borton and Rodger Baker: Science Diplomacy and the Ecological Implications of The South China Sea
Dr. Dini Sejko: Sovereign Wealth Funds in South East Asia
This episode features Dr. Dini Sejko, a Lecturer at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Business School, and a research affiliate at The Fletcher Network for Sovereign Wealth and Global Capital, Tufts University. Dr. Sejko speaks to Amelie about the the sovereign wealth fund landscape in South East Asia, as well as the challenges and risks associated with the funds’ management and governance.
Mark Manantan: AI Governance and Cybersecurity in South East Asia
This episode features Mark Manantan, the Director of Cybersecurity and Critical Technologies at the Pacific Forum. Mr. Manantan speaks to Amelie about the tech landscape in South East Asia, delving into the rise of AI businesses and policies within the region, as well as the role of cybersecurity in geopolitical conflicts, such as the South China Sea.
Justin Hall: Venture Capital Investment in South East Asia
This episode features Justin Hall, a partner at Golden Gate Ventures. Justin speaks to Amelie about the venture capital landscape in South East Asia, delving into Golden Gate Ventures’ investment portfolio across the region, as well as the geopolitical implications of the venture capital space within the region.
Ramesh Subramaniam: Climate Financing and ASEAN’s Clean Energy Transition
This episode features Ramesh Subramaniam, Director General of the Southeast Asia Department for the Asian Development Bank. Mr. Subramaniam speaks to Amelie about ADB’s development initiatives within ASEAN, namely ADB’s commitment toward climate financing, and their new operational plan toward poverty reduction and economic growth, entitled ‘Strategy 2030’.
Ambassador Ted Osius: Vietnam’s Economic Development, Clean Energy Transition, and Digital Economy
This episode features Ambassador Ted Osius, President and CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council and former US Ambassador to Vietnam. Ambassador Osius speaks to Laura about opportunities and challenges for US companies in Vietnam with respect to Vietnam's rapid economic growth and clean energy transition, as well as Mekong and environmental issues in the country.
Gregory Poling: Outlook for the Philippines’ Foreign Policy and Climate Goals Under the Marcos Administration
This episode features Gregory Poling, Director of the Southeast Asia Program and Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Gregory speaks about the outlook for the Philippines’ foreign policy and climate and environmental goals under the Marcos administration.
James Borton: Navigating to Common Ground in the South China Sea
Lai and Kelly are joined by joined by James Borton, a veteran journalist and author on Southeast Asia. He has reported widely for outlets such as The Washington Times and The Diplomat, focusing on environmental security issues stretching from the Philippines, Micronesia and to Vietnam, especially on the Mekong River and the South China Sea.
