In this episode of Asia Insight, NBR President Michael Wills is joined by Rear Admiral Mike Studeman (U.S. Navy, ret.) and Ms. Cathy Johnston as they assess the People's Liberation Army ahead of the Chinese Communist Party's goal to build a world-class military by 2049. Cathy Johnston spent 33 years in the Intel Community mostly focused on Asia. He…

In this episode of Asia Insight, NBR President Michael Wills sits down with Ms. Laura Rosenberger and Mr. Roy Kamphausen to discuss strategic outlooks for Taiwan. This discussion follows an NBR delegation trip to Taiwan led by retired U.S. Navy Admiral John Aquilino, the 26th Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, from April 28–May 2,…

On this special episode of Asia Insight, NBR Distinguished Fellow for China Studies Nadège Rolland and NBR Senior Fellow for Asian Security Bates Gill discuss the May 12, 2025 white paper released by China’s State Council Information Office on China’s national security in the new era.By National Bureau of Asian Research

In this episode of Asia Insight, Doug Strub hosts a conversation with Michael Beeman and Daisuke Kawai on how the United States and Japan are bolstering their technological and economic security while navigating digital disruptions and supply chain vulnerabilities. Michael Beeman served as Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Japan, Korea and AP…

In this episode of Asia Insight, NBR President Michael Wills moderates a conversation with Robert Holleyman and Tami Overby on some of the insights and themes that arose during NBR's 2025 Pacific Technology Policy Conference. The conference took place in Seattle on March 13, 2025. Ambassador Robert Holleyman served as Deputy United States Trade Rep…

In this episode of Asia Insight, NBR Senior Director of Research and Programs, Mr. Doug Strub engages in conversation with Dr. Jungmi Cha, Mr. Charlie Vest, Dr. Michelle Rozo, and Ms. Hodan Omaar as they examine strategies and policies of the United States and the Republic of Korea in the pivotal areas of battery technology, biotechnology, and quan…

In this episode of Asia Insight, NBR’s executive vice president Michael Wills hosts a discussion with NBR distinguished fellow for China studies Nadège Rolland and advisor William McCahill Jr. in the aftermath of China’s 2024 parallel annual meetings of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference …

In this podcast, we highlight the main findings of NBR’s research project "Into Africa: China’s Emerging Strategy,” explore the strategic drivers behind China’s increased engagement with African countries, examine the significance of its investments in African critical infrastructure, and detail the extent of its influence networks on the continent…

With Japan assuming the G-7 presidency and the United States hosting APEC meetings this year, the two countries are well positioned to lead Indo-Pacific engagement on climate change and energy transition efforts that are in line with regional energy security needs. Clare Richardson-Barlow moderates this Asia Insight podcast with Ken Koyama (Institu…

Offering a strategic overview of the relationship between China and Myanmar across history, Ambassador Kelley Currie highlights grey zones, disaggregated sovereignty, fluid frontiers and deeply rooted mutual suspicions as permanent features of China’s southern strategic space’s hinterland in this podcast moderated by Nadège Rolland. This podcast is…

In this episode of Asia Insight, NBR counselor Charles Boustany hosts a discussion on APEC 2023 with Ambassador Robert Holleyman and Shihoko Goto. NBR is grateful to the Hinrich Foundation for their generous support of this podcast. Charles W. Boustany Jr., MD, is a Counselor for the National Bureau of Asian Research. Congressman Boustany retired f…

With many nations aiming for midcentury net-zero emissions targets, massive amounts of critical minerals will be necessary to build the commodities and infrastructure for supporting a lower-carbon energy network. Each interlocking facet of energy production, trade, and consumption relies on the stability of existing partnerships and processes, many…

In this episode of Asia Insight, NBR’s Doug Strub has conversations with two experts on Japan’s digital transformation (DX). First, Ulrike Schaede discusses digital transformation among Japanese industry. Following that conversation, Daisuke Kawai joins to talk about the Japanese government’s DX strategies and objectives. Daisuke Kawai is a Researc…

In this episode of NBR’s Asia Insight, NBR executive vice president Michael Wills hosts a discussion with senior fellow Nadège Rolland and advisor William McCahill Jr. in the aftermath of China’s 20th National Party Congress.By nbrpodcasts

In this episode of NBR's Asia Insight, NBR executive vice president Michael Wills hosts a discussion with Aaron Friedberg on his new book Getting China Wrong.By nbrpodcasts

In this episode of Asia Insight, moderator Michael Wills is joined by Christopher Hughes and Yuka Koshino for a discussion of the political legacy of former Japanese prime minister Abe Shinzo as Japan prepares for the state funeral, which is set take place on September 27.By nbrpodcasts

In this episode of Asia Insight, moderator Michael Wills is joined by experts discussing the four partner countries of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue. Hayley Channer is a senior policy fellow at the Perth USAsia Centre, Sheila Smith is a senior fellow for Asia-Pacific studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, Alison Szalwinski is vice presi…

In advance of the May 8, 2022, Hong Kong chief executive election, Yvonne Chiu (U.S. Naval War College) and NBR advisor William McCahill joined NBR executive vice president Michael Wills for an Asia Insight podcast to discuss Hong Kong's future under the only candidate, John Lee. As Hong Kong emerges from two years of political crackdowns and stric…

In this episode of NBR’s Asia Insight, NBR counselor Charles Boustany is joined by Wendy Cutler and Robert Holleyman to discuss the latest developments in Indo-Pacific trade, including the Biden administration’s proposed Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, challenges around market access and digital trade, and how to overcome political obstacles in th…

This is the second of three episodes in the Asia Insight podcast miniseries China’s Strategic Approach to the Digital Revolution examining the findings of the NBR report “China’s Digital Ambitions: A Global Strategy to Supplant the Liberal Order.” NBR nonresident fellow Emily de La Bruyère, the project’s principal investigator, is joined by two of …

This is the second of three episodes in the Asia Insight podcast miniseries China’s Strategic Approach to the Digital Revolution examining the findings of the NBR report “China’s Digital Ambitions: A Global Strategy to Supplant the Liberal Order.” NBR nonresident fellow Emily de La Bruyère, the project’s principal investigator, is joined by three o…

This is the first of three episodes in the Asia Insight podcast miniseries China’s Strategic Approach to the Digital Revolution examining the findings of the NBR report “China’s Digital Ambitions: A Global Strategy to Supplant the Liberal Order.” NBR’s Doug Strub speaks with nonresident fellow Emily de La Bruyère, the project’s principal investigat…

Leading up to the 26th United Nations’ Conference of the Parties (COP26), both Japan and the United States laid out ambitious goals to achieve net zero for their respective economies. Notably, Japan is taking substantial steps to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions over the next 30 years, with a plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The United…

In this episode of NBR’s Asia Insight, NBR executive vice president Michael Wills speaks with Marcin Kaczmarski, author of the chapter “Russian Foreign Policy in a Time of Rising U.S.-China Competition” (Strategic Asia 2021–22), and Elizabeth Wishnick, author of “Russia and the Arctic in China’s Quest for Great-Power Status” (Strategic Asia 2019), …

In this episode of NBR’s Asia Insight, NBR president Roy Kamphausen speaks with Robert Sutter, co-editor with Richard Ellings of the book Axis of Authoritarians: Implications of China-Russia Cooperation, about the dynamic between China and Russia, Russia's aggressiveness toward Ukraine, and China's provocations against Taiwan.…

In this episode of NBR’s Asia Insight, NBR vice president of research Alison Szalwinski discusses the new book Strategic Asia 2021–22: Navigating Tumultuous Times with co-editor Ashley J. Tellis and contributor Michael J. Green. Ashley J. Tellis is a counselor at NBR. He holds the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and is a senior fellow at the Carne…

In this episode of NBR’s Asia Insight, Alison Szalwinski, NBR vice president of research, hosts a discussion with Elizabeth Economy and guest interviewer Jessica Teets. The discussion focuses on Dr. Economy's new book The World According to China. Dr. Economy is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and was previously sen…

In this Asia Insight podcast, Tom Lutken speaks about disaster management in South Asia with Pushp Bajaj of India's National Maritime Foundation and Mohammad Hasan of the Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh. As climate change and vulnerable populations create a perfect storm for natural disasters in South Asia, both experts highlight…

In this Asia Insight podcast, Tom Lutken speaks with T.H. Schee of Open Knowledge Taiwan and Takako Izumi of Tohoku University about the disaster management lessons learned from the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. With changes brought about by technology and global warming, alongside the ongoing impacts of a global pandemic, both experts weigh …

NBR research director Alison Szalwinski interviews Admiral Jonathan Greenert, who holds the John M. Shalikashvili Chair in National Security Studies at NBR. Admiral Greenert discusses the recent report "Murky Waters in the East China Sea: Chinese Gray-Zone Operations and U.S.-Japan Alliance Cooperation," which examines key obstacles for the U.S.-Ja…

In this episode of Asia Insight, Alison Szalwinski speaks with Stephanie Char about her essay in NBR’s Emerging Voices on the New Normal in Asia series, “North Korea’s Covid-19 Choice: Greater Diplomatic and Economic Isolation.”By nbrpodcasts

In this episode of Asia Insight, Alison Szalwinski speaks with Shiming Yang about her essay in NBR’s Emerging Voices on the New Normal in Asia series, "Rising-Power Competition: The Covid-19 Vaccine Diplomacy of China and India.”By nbrpodcasts

In this episode of Asia Insight, Karolos Karnikis speaks with Bhagya Senaratne about her essay in NBR’s Emerging Voices on the New Normal in Asia series, “The Covid-19 Pandemic and the Power Rivalry in South Asia.”By nbrpodcasts

In this episode of Asia Insight, Karolos Karnikis speaks with Naima Green-Riley about her essay in NBR’s Emerging Voices on the New Normal in Asia series, “Pandemic Persuasions? American Public Opinion and U.S.-China Relations.” The episode examines trends in U.S. perceptions of China and discusses the implications for the U.S.-China relationship.…

In this episode of Asia Insight, Congressman Charles W. Boustany Jr. leads a discussion on Indo-Pacific trade with Vice President of the Asia Society Policy Institute Wendy Cutler and former Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Robert Holleyman. They examine the Biden administration’s trade priorities, developments in digital trade agreements, and more…

In this episode of Asia Insight, M. Taylor Fravel, principal investigator of the Maritime Awareness Project (MAP), discusses key maritime issues in East Asia related to the South China Sea, the East China Sea, Taiwan, and the U.S. role in the region. He is joined by two other members of NBR’s MAP team, Karolos Karnikis and John S. Van Oudenaren.…

In this episode of Asia Insight, Rachel Bernstein interviews NBR senior fellow Nadège Rolland and other contributors to the NBR Special Report “An Emerging China-Centric Order: China's Vision for a New World Order in Practice” about the types of mechanisms, institutions, norms, and rules China wants to see established in new international systems.…

In this episode of Asia Insight, Dan Aum interviews senior advisor and research director of NBR’s Energy Security Program Mikkal Herberg. They explore various issues related to the energy relationship between the United States and Japan, including how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected global energy markets, what U.S. and Japanese policymakers have…

In this episode of NBR’s Asia Insight, NBR nonresident fellow Arzan Tarapore interviews Manoj Kewalramani and Suyash Desai from the Takshashila Institution to discuss their report “An Indian Approach to Navigate China’s Rise.”By nbrpodcasts

In this episode of Asia Insight, NBR's senior director of public affairs Dan Aum interviews Dr. Kristi Govella to discuss the opportunities and challenges for U.S.-Japan cooperation in the global commons.By nbrpodcasts

In this episode of Asia Insight, NBR's senior director of public affairs Dan Aum interviews Sheila Smith to discuss her chapter "Japan's Interests in an Era of U.S.-China Strategic Competition" from the new Strategic Asia volume.By nbrpodcasts

In this episode of Asia Insight, NBR’s senior director for public affairs Dan Aum discusses the new volume in the Strategic Asia series, Strategic Asia 2020: U.S.-China Competition for Global Influence, with editors Ashley J. Tellis and Michael Wills.By National Bureau of Asian Research

In this episode of NBR's Asia Insight, NBR and the Daniel Morgan Graduate School host a discussion accompanying the release of NBR's special report, Securing the Belt and Road Initiative: China's Evolving Military Engagement along the Silk Roads. NBR's Alison Szalwinski moderates this discussion with Mathieu Duchatel, Kristen Gunness, and Nadege Ro…

In this episode of NBR’s Asia Insight podcast series, Richard J. Ellings and Aaron L. Friedberg assess the state of the U.S.-China strategic rivalry and underscore the need for the United States to develop a more effective approach to China and the Indo-Pacific region. The discussion, moderated by Laura Junor, took place at the Asia Policy Assembly…

In this episode of NBR’s Asia Insight podcast series, Kazutoshi Aikawa and James F. Moriarty discuss the unique relationship between Taiwan and the U.S., assess what makes alliances work best, and analyze the current U.S.-Japan alliance. The discussion, moderated by Roy Kamphausen, took place at the Asia Policy Assembly on June 19.…

In this episode of NBR’s Asia Insight podcast series, Thomas X. Hammes, Claire Reade, and Michael Beckley analyze globalization trends, U.S.-China trade and investment, and the effects of economic stagnation on Chinese security policy. The discussion, moderated by Amy Celico, took place at the Asia Policy Assembly on June 19.…

In this episode of NBR’s Asia Insight podcast series, Daniel Twining, Carolyn Bartholomew, and Tariq Karim examine the recent Hong Kong protests, discuss democratic trends in Asia, and analyze tensions between democratic and authoritarian forces in the region. The discussion, moderated by Michael Wills, took place at the Asia Policy Assembly on Jun…

Phillip C. Saunders and Thomas G. Mahnken examine the global ambitions of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the strategic calculation behind PLA's disruptive activities in the region in the latest episode of NBR's Asia Insight podcast series. The discussion, moderated by Abraham M. Denmark, took place at the Asia Policy Assembly on June 19.…

Dan Aum, director of NBR’s Washington, D.C., Office, interviews NBR Senior Fellow Nadège Rolland and Brookings-Yale Postdoctoral Fellow in Foreign Policy Rush Doshi on the recent Belt and Road Forum. Topics discussed include takeaways from the forum, the strategic implications of BRI, forecasting China’s moves, and more. Bios: Rush Doshi is the Bro…

In this episode, we interview the co-editors of NBR's Strategic Asia series. This year's volume explores China's strategic ambitions and its implications for the Indo-Pacific. In this informative and wide-ranging discussion, Dr. Ashley J. Tellis, Alison Szalwinski, and Michael Wills discuss how China seeks to reshape the international system to ser…