Best Cross Strait Relations Podcasts (2025)

1
Episode 10: Why The '90s Matter 30:48

5h ago30:48

30:48

The 1990s were a pivotal decade for the United States and the world. This season on None Of The Above, we rewinded to the ‘90s to cover the breakup of the Soviet Union, America’s unipolar moment, and the rise of China. We explored civil war in Afghanistan, the spread of nuclear weapons, South Africa’s transition to democracy, and much more. The ‘90…

1
The Geopolitics of the Second China-Central Asia Summit 16:06

9d ago16:06

16:06

How are Central Asian states navigating great power dynamics? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the recent China-Central Asia summit.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast on iTunes here; if you use Windows or Android, you c…

1
What Does South Korea’s New Progressive Administration Portend for Northeast Asia? 24:17

13d ago24:17

24:17

Will Lee Jae-myung succeed in implementing a pragmatic foreign policy? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the geopolitical environment that South Korea's new government inherits.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast on iTune…

1
Episode 9: A Military Without Rival 39:12

19d ago39:12

39:12

The military and the very idea of national security changed a lot in the 1990s. Politicians promised a new period of peace and prosperity after the Cold War, but the military would not draw down from the international arena. On the contrary, the United States turned to policing the world, and the military carried out new types of missions meant to …

1
Winning the Cross-Strait Content War with Comedy (Feat. LeLe Farley) 18:03

20d ago18:03

18:03

In Season 6, Episode 3 of Global Taiwan Insights, Ben Sando and Diarra Molock interview Lawrence Farley, better known by his stage name LeLe Farley (樂樂法利). Farley is a YouTuber with nearly half a million subscribers, and satirizes the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP, 中國共產黨) contradictory propaganda related to Taiwan and its own political system. Far…

1
France as a ‘Resident Power’ in the Pacific 23:38

1M ago23:38

23:38

How does Paris think about the region? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast host Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) is joined by Paco Milhiet, a visiting fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) in Singapore, to discuss France's interests in the Indo-Pacific.Click the play button above to listen. If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you ca…

1
Episode 8: The Cost of Humanitarian Intervention 43:12

1M ago43:12

43:12

When the Cold War ended, many imagined a more peaceful world. Yet the 1990s were marked by humanitarian crises in Somalia, Rwanda, and former Yugoslavia. Images of mass atrocities and genocide reached wide audiences on newly available 24/7 TV news channels, as humanitarians increasingly advocated for military intervention. The United States under B…

1
The India-Pakistan Clashes of 2025: Why Things Are Different (And More Dangerous) This Time 17:57

2M ago17:57

17:57

How bad will things get between India and Pakistan? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the outbreak of violence between India and Pakistan and the scope for escalation in South Asia.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast on i…

1
Episode 7: America's China Gamble 41:25

2M ago41:25

41:25

China’s violent Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989 marked a turning point in US-China relations. After two decades of slowly but steadily nurturing friendly relations, the United States would choose to develop economic ties without insisting on democratic reforms. The prevailing hope was that China’s economic growth would inevitably lead to politic…

1
Sudan and the Limits of Western Peacebuilding (from the archive) 26:33

2M ago26:33

26:33

Sudan’s civil war recently entered its third year. It has claimed the lives of around 150,000 people and displaced around 13 million. In this archival episode, we revisit the outbreak of violence that erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Army, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces, led by…

1
Asia’s New Nuclear Age 18:49

2M ago18:49

18:49

Why are nuclear weapons back at the forefront of international politics? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss Ankit's new book, The New Nuclear Age: At the Precipice of Armageddon.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast on iTune…

1
Tariffs, Trade Wars, and Asian Geopolitics 22:03

2M ago22:03

22:03

How sustainable is this trade war? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the Trump tariffs and the implications for Asian geopolitics.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast on iTunes here; if you use Windows or Android, you can …

1
Chile’s Cross-Strait Relations and its Dependence on China (feat. Sascha Hannig Nuñez) 19:07

3M ago19:07

19:07

In Season 6, Episode 2 of GTI Insights, Ben Sando interviews Sascha Hannig Nuñez, an executive secretary at the Centro de Análisis para la Democracia (CAD) of Chile. As Chile’s minerals industry grows more dependent on the People's Republic of China (PRC), Chilean politicians are taking increasingly pro-Beijing lines about Taiwan. Some Chilean orga…

1
Episode 6: How Apartheid Ended in South Africa 40:05

3M ago40:05

40:05

In the 1990s, South Africa ended apartheid, a brutal system of racial segregation, and became a democracy. During the Cold War, the United States supported South Africa’s apartheid government because it was anti-communist. But American civil rights activists pushed Washington to reassess its support – which it did as the Cold War wound down. Nelson…

1
Episode 5: Why the Israel-Palestine Peace Process Failed 45:19

3M ago45:19

45:19

The 1990s witnessed a turning point in one of the world’s most intractable disputes. After four decades of conflict, the 1991 Madrid Conference opened the door for peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians. A flurry of negotiations and agreements followed. The Camp David Summit in 2000 was the Clinton administration’s last-ditch attempt to prod…

1
Trump, Tariffs, and America’s Global Messaging 19:51

3M ago19:51

19:51

The Asia Geopolitics podcast discusses the latest developments in Washington and their implications for Asia policy. The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the Trump tariffs and the implications for U.S. foreign policy.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The Diploma…

1
Duterte in The Hague: The Philippines and the Geopolitics of International Law 14:45

4M ago14:45

14:45

What does Rodrigo Duterte's arrest mean for the Philippines and international law? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's arrest on a warrant from the International Criminal Court.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The …

1
Episode 4: Fewer Nukes, More Danger 38:29

4M ago38:29

38:29

Nightmares of mushroom clouds and fears of mutually assured destruction plagued many during the Cold War. But by the early 1990s, both the United States and Russia promised a world with fewer nuclear weapons. Together, they agreed to dismantle 80% of their strategic nuclear warheads. Meanwhile, other countries such as North Korea and Pakistan saw v…

1
Is the United States Relitigating Its Grand Strategy? 17:20

4M ago17:20

17:20

What can be gleaned from the first month of the second Trump administration about the U.S. approach to world affairs? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the evolving U.S. approach to alliances and much more.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia…

1
Episode 3: The CIA, Afghanistan, and the Road to 9/11 46:17

4M ago46:17

46:17

This is the story of how a CIA covert action program inadvertently created the conditions for the Taliban to seize control and provide safe haven for Osama bin Laden. Following a Cold War proxy battle between the Soviet Union and the United States, al Qaeda gained strength throughout the 1990s, leading to the deadliest attack on American soil on Se…

1
DeepSeek and the AI Competition 17:32

4M ago17:32

17:32

What does American anxiety over DeepSeek reveal about the state of US-China competition in AI? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the rise of DeepSeek and the state of geopolitical competition over artificial intelligence technologies.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subs…

1
Episode 2: How Democracy Failed in Russia 45:24

5M ago45:24

45:24

America was on top of the world in the 1990s as its erstwhile rival, Russia, was struggling to find its footing. President Boris Yelstin's liberal reforms were soon dashed by economic crises and infighting among Russian elites. US policymakers also contributed to this tragedy, which would lead to Vladimir Putin's rise by the end of the decade. In t…

1
Trump 2.0 in America: Geopolitical Ripples Across Asia and the World 30:13

5M ago30:13

30:13

The second Trump term is nothing like the first. The implications for Asia are massive. The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the early days of the second Trump administration in the United States.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics …

1
Episode 1: Dawn of Unipolarity 42:32

5M ago42:32

42:32

The 1990s were a decade of transformation and optimism. Teenagers were listening to grunge rock and hip hop on their walkmans. Flannels and jean jackets became staples of ‘90s fashion. And seemingly without warning, the Cold War was over, the Soviet Union had dissolved, and the United States emerged as the sole superpower. Today’s world seems more …

1
What can Ukraine’s Civil Defense Teach Taiwan? (Feat. Maksym Skrypchenko) 30:20

6M ago30:20

30:20

In Season 6, Episode 1 of GTI Insights, Ben Sando interviews Maksym Skrypchenko, president of the Transatlantic Dialogue Center and an expert in Ukrainian security. In the years since Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s civil defense has evolved to feature software tools, robust air raid shelters, and efficient command of volunteer fighter…

1
The Biden Administration’s Asia Legacy 23:24

6M ago23:24

23:24

How will the Biden administration's approach to Asia be remembered? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the Biden administration's policy legacy in Asia.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast on iTunes here; if you use Windows…

1
South Korea’s Martial Law Crisis: Geopolitical Implications and Beyond 19:42

6M ago19:42

19:42

What does 2025 portend for South Korea's politics and foreign relations? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the implications of South Korea's December 2024 political crisis.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast on iTunes her…

1
Central Asian Militaries and Asian Geopolitics 14:07

7M ago14:07

14:07

How are Central Asia's militaries changing? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) are joined by Michael Hilliard, director of defense and security analysis at the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs, to discuss trends in Central Asian militaries.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also s…

1
America First, Again: US-China Relations and the Second Trump Administration 25:56

7M ago25:56

25:56

Where does the U.S.-China relationship go from here? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast host Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) is joined by Shannon Tiezzi, The Diplomat's editor-in-chief, to discuss prospects for U.S.-China relations under the second Trump administration.Click the play button above to listen. If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also sub…

1
The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (with Tom Fraser) 23:15

7M ago23:15

23:15

In Season 5, Episode 5 of GTI Insights, Ben Sando interviews Tom Fraser, programs director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), on marshalling parliaments around the world to pass legislation regarding China. In the summer, IPAC held their annual summit in Taipei, with both progress on China legislation and major pushback from the C…

1
America First, Again: Asian Geopolitics and the Second Trump Administration 21:14

8M ago21:14

21:14

How will the second Trump administration approach Asia? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the outcome of the 2024 U.S. presidential election and its implications for Asia.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast on iTunes here…

1
A New China-India Border Deal? 15:29

8M ago15:29

15:29

What does the latest India-China deal portend? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the significance of the new India-China border deal and the BRICS+ Summit in Kazan, Russia.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast on iTunes her…

1
The Geopolitical Implications of the UK-Mauritius Chagos Islands Deal 12:06

9M ago12:06

12:06

What are the implications of the United Kingdom's historic deal with Mauritius? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the transfer of sovereignty over the Chagos Islands from the United Kingdom to Mauritius, and the implications for Indian Ocean security and geopolitics.If you’re an i…

1
Feminism and Geopolitics in the Asia-Pacific 17:43

9M ago17:43

17:43

What are Asia's feminist organizers primarily concerned with in 2024? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the recent Asia Pacific Feminist Forum in Chiang Mai, Thailand.If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast on iTunes here; if…

1
Geopolitics and the Murky World of Foreign Agents 22:05

10M ago22:05

22:05

Casey Michel's new book peers deep into the world of foreign lobbying in the United States. The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast host Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) is joined by Casey Michel, author of Foreign Agents: How American Lobbyists and Lawmakers Threaten Democracy Around the World, to discuss the world of foreign lobbying and its effects on geop…

1
Lithuania’s Pivot to Taiwan: Three Years Later (with Raigirdas Boruta) 25:30

10M ago25:30

25:30

In Season 5, Episode 4 of GTI Insights, Ben Sando and Lillian Ellis interview Raigirdas Boruta, policy analyst at Lithuania’s Government Strategic Analysis Center (STRATA), on trends and challenges since the Lithuanian government’s 2021 pivot in diplomatic ties from China to Taiwan. Mr. Boruta shares his insight into the massive economic retaliatio…

1
Afghanistan Under the Taliban: 3 Years On 13:55

10M ago13:55

13:55

How have states chosen to engage the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan three years later? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the state of Afghanistan three years after the Taliban’s return. Click the play button above to listen. If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscr…

1
Geopolitics and Political Tumult in Bangladesh 12:54

11M ago12:54

12:54

What will become of Bangladesh’s position in Asia following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the geopolitical implications of the 2024 political crisis in Bangladesh.Click the play button above to listen. If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscrib…

1
The 2024 US Election Spins Up: Implications for Asian Geopolitics 21:06

11M ago21:06

21:06

How will a possible change in U.S. direction in 2024 manifest in the region? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the candidates in the 2024 U.S. presidential election and the implications for Asia.Click the play button above to listen. If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subs…

1
Vietnam’s Foreign Policy After Nguyen Phu Trong 14:42

11M ago14:42

14:42

What does the death of Vietnam's second-longest serving party chief mean for the country? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) is joined by Sebastian Strangio, The Diplomat's Southeast Asia editor, to discuss the implications of Nguyen Phu Trong's death for Vietnam.Click the play button above to listen. If you’re an i…

1
The Future of Cross-Strait Ties Under a Lai Presidency in Taiwan 20:04

1y ago20:04

20:04

How will China approach a Lai-led Taiwan? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss Lai Ching-te's inauguration as the new president of Taiwan and the outcome of the Indian 2024 general elections.Click the play button above to listen. If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe t…

1
The Chainsaw Effect: Javier Milei and the Disruption of Argentina’s Politics 25:11

1y ago25:11

25:11

The surprising election of Argentina's controversial new president, Javier Milei, captivated international media attention. Milei just passed his first major legislative package, and promises to further slash state spending and promote policies to privatize much of the Argentine economy. What drives his support beyond voters’ weariness of the count…

1
A New Russia-North Korea Strategic Partnership: Geopolitical Implications for Asia 18:27

1y ago18:27

18:27

What does Vladimir Putin's embrace of Kim Jong Un portend for Northeast Asian geopolitics? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) discusses the recent summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with Shannon Tiezzi, The Diplomat‘s editor-in-chief.Click the play button above to lis…

1
The Hell of Bad Assumptions: Lessons from Afghanistan 34:25

1y ago34:25

34:25

In the aftermath of 9/11, America’s political leaders lept to action based on, what turned out to be, a series of misplaced and untested assumptions. From conflations between the Taliban and Al Qaeda to misguided theories about nation building, these assumptions drove two decades of policy failure in Afghanistan. Critical missteps came with a human…

1
Fighting in the Legislature, Protests in the Streets with Michael Fahey 1:09:39

1y ago1:09:39

1:09:39

Fistfights between lawmakers in the legislature. Protests in the streets. Chinese military exercises in the seas around Taiwan. Not to mention a new president. If you’ve been watching news about Taiwan in the last week, that’s probably what you’ve been seeing and hearing. But with so much going on, it can be quite confusing to follow the plot of wh…

1
Putin Goes to Beijing: Where the Russia-China Relationship Stands in 2024 23:08

1y ago23:08

23:08

Are Beijing and Moscow moving beyond their "no limits" partnership? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the recent summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing with Shannon Tiezzi, The Diplomat's editor-in-chief.Click the play button ab…

1
Taking Stock of Russia-Central Asia Relations in 2024 13:34

1y ago13:34

13:34

What do Russia and the Central Asian republics stand to gain from each other? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss Russia-Central Asia relations after the Crocus City Hall terror attack in March 2024.Click the play button above to listen. If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also su…

1
Hubris in Haiti: Ambassador Dan Foote on Learning from America’s Failures 40:03

1y ago40:03

40:03

Haiti has been in a state of political uncertainty since its president, Jovenel Moïse, was assassinated two years ago. Ariel Henry assumed power with the backing of the US – but not of most Haitians – and promptly suspended elections. Competing gangs jockeyed for political power, and have seized control of the capital city Port-au-Prince. The propo…

1
India’s 2024 General Elections and Geopolitics 19:06

1y ago19:06

19:06

What will India's 2024 vote mean for Asia and the world? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the geopolitical implications of India's 2024 general elections.Click the play button above to listen. If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics…

1
The US-Japan Alliance After the Biden-Kishida 2024 Summit 14:14

1y ago14:14

14:14

What did Kishida and Biden accomplish? The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss the outcomes of the 2024 U.S.-Japan leaders summit.Click the play button above to listen. If you’re an iOS or Mac user, you can also subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast on iTunes here; if you…

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