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Artwork for Asia Rising

Asia Rising

La Trobe Asia
China
Xi Jinping
Indonesia
Domestic Violence
United Nations
North Korea
Australia
Economy
United States
Sanctions
AUKUS
Global Governance
Russia
Humanitarian Aid
DPRK
Jang Madang
Anti-Domestic Violence Law
Peacekeeping Missions
Security Council
Belt and Road Initiative

Asia Rising, the podcast of La Trobe Asia which takes a critical look at the key issues facing Asia's states and societies.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes376Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPolitics

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Artwork for Asia Rising

Latest Episodes

Traditional security debates focus on maps, borders, naval deployments, and treaties. But increasingly, territory in Asia is also constructed through narratives, media coverage, digital platforms, and public emotion.

Journalists are not just obser... more

Asia’s modern resurgence has transformed the global economy, lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty through globalization, supply chains and market integration. Yet this success has also generated new geopolitical rivalries and nationalist tensi... more

The far north-eastern Indian state of Nagaland has a distinct history, and the Naga communities who call it home face a range of complex dilemmas. Preserving cultural rights and traditions within the framework of the Indian state presents ongoing cha... more

The global trading system is under growing strain. Security risks are increasing, free trade is in decline, and a new economic order is emerging in which nations increasingly view trade as a tool for gaining strategic and political advantage. Long-st... more

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Recent Guests

Nick Bisley
Author, Professor of International Relations at La Trobe University
La Trobe University
Episode: Book Launch: Asian Crucible: Globalization, Geopolitics and the Contest for the Future
John Brumby
Chancellor of La Trobe University; former Premier of Victoria
La Trobe University
Episode: Book Launch: Asian Crucible: Globalization, Geopolitics and the Contest for the Future
Dr. Troy Lee-Brown
Expert in maritime security and Indo-Pacific strategic affairs
University of Western Australia Defence and Security Institute
Episode: #256: Blue Security in the Indo-Pacific
Dr. Ian Storey
Senior Fellow at ICS–Yusof Ishak Institute, expert on Asian security
ICS–Yusof Ishak Institute
Episode: #255: Is Russia Turning East?
Margaret Myers
Managing director of the Institute for America, China, and the Future of Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins University and a senior advisor at the Inter-American Dialogue.
Johns Hopkins University, Inter-American Dialogue
Episode: #254: China's Evolving Role in Latin America
Dr. Robert Hovar
One of Australia's leading Russia politics experts
Episode: Putin's Asia Strategy
William Dalrymple
Respected historian and author.
Episode: #253: How Ancient India Transformed the World
Raji Rajagopalan
Resident senior fellow with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute in Canberra
Australian Strategic Policy Institute
Episode: #252: China's Rapid Nuclear Expansion
Ruji Auethavornpipat
Lecturer in politics and international relations at La Trobe University
La Trobe University
Episode: #251: Emotional Backlash and Refugee Protection

Hosts

Matt Smith
Host of Asia Rising, affiliated with La Trobe Asia; frequently moderates discussions and conducts interviews with prominent academics and policymakers.
Bec Strating
Director of the La Trobe Centre for Global Security / La Trobe Asia; contributes expert perspectives on policy and regional security.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 94 ratings
  • Great show!

    Terrific hosts and diverse topics.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lllllaaaaawwwwww
    Australia4 years ago
  • Great Podcast!

    As an American I hadn’t heard of La Trobe University prior to subscribing to Matt Smith’s “Emperors of Rome” podcast series. Looking for more fresh content, I decided to check out La Trobe’s other offerings and have been really pleased with the Asia Rising podcast. Asia wasn’t on my radar as a podcast listener but this podcast got me hooked. The guests on the show are superb. It’s also a real plus to learn about contemporary Asia from a non-American perspective in order to get a more neutral tak... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JTBis
    United States5 years ago
  • The guests are usually academics with special insights into the political, economical, and social issues that are shaping the East and Southeast Asian region. I like that there's an Australian perspective because they've got a unique stance as the most "Western" nation in the area. The archives are a trove with lots of interesting episodes that are often even more interesting to listen to with hindsight. It's a great current events podcast that continues to teach me new things.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Robbie
    6 years ago
  • Lots of good info

    I'm a Yank and thus suffer from an extremely inward-facing and myopic news media, so there aren't a lot of ways for me to learn about the contemporary Asian political landscape. It's been a joy listening to Asia Rising the past few years. I've learned a ton about India under modi, water rights along the Himalayas, the aftemath of the recent Thai coup, and all sorts of other interesting topics. Matt Smith and the various other hosts do well to bring out the best of their many interesting guests. ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Smell what the Brock is cookin
    United States6 years ago
  • Sponsored by China?

    Caveat emptor: this podcast presents some balanced viewpoints and others which come straight from the PRC propaganda. Many speakers simply refuse to acknowledge China’s influence operations in Australia as a danger or their influence over ASEAN members as a concern. Maybe because their livelihoods depend on not seeing it?

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Mikka R.
    United States7 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Thoughtful, well-researched perspectives on Asia-Pacific affairs with strong academic grounding.
A few critiques note occasional bias or political posture in some guest selections, but overall quality remains strong.
Listeners appreciate balanced analyses that go beyond surface-level headlines and include geopolitical context.
Guest lineup is consistently high-caliber, offering nuanced takes from diverse parts of the region.
Production and theme music are frequently praised as professional and engaging.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#74
Ukraine/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#140
Austria/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#214
South Korea/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#227
Ukraine/News
Apple Podcasts
#241
India/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#250
China/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Interview: Land and Identity in Nagaland
Q: What types of land relationship exist in Nagaland today, and how do Morung, Khel, and village lands fit into this system?
Land in Nagaland is layered: private land, clan land, Morung land (educational and cultural spaces), Khel land (a cluster of clans' common land), and village land; these layers reflect a complex social fabric that digital mapping could disrupt if not carefully implemented.
Interview: Land and Identity in Nagaland
Q: Can you explain how the Swamitva scheme is going to work for Nagaland and why it matters for indigenous land rights?
Swamitva is intended to map village lands and assign property rights using new digital tools; for Nagaland, this could complicate traditional land relations by standardizing ownership processes that may not fit local customs, potentially affecting women's rights and communal land practices.
Interview: Land and Identity in Nagaland
Q: Can you explain how the scheduled tribes framework and the special provision under 371A affect land rights for Nagas?
The Nagas fall under the Sixth Schedule with additional protections under 371A, which grants them autonomous land rights and local decision-making power, a framework that has shaped both land ownership and political autonomy relative to other Indian states.
Interview: Land and Identity in Nagaland
Q: So I want just to start by getting you to introduce us to Nagaland and to the Nagas. Where is Nagaland and who are the Naga people?
Nagaland is in the northeastern part of India, with Naga communities spread across Nagaland and into neighboring states and Myanmar; the Naga identity has formed through a long history of external labeling and political negotiation, resulting in a political and cultural identity that unites diverse tribes under a broader Naga umbrella.
Event: Who Won? Trade Wars and Australia
Q: What should middle powers do in response to current global trade dynamics?
Middle powers should focus on maintaining a rules-based trading system and ensure they work collectively to prevent a divided world based on 'friend-shoring' dynamics.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Asia Rising

What is Asia Rising about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program offers in-depth conversations on Asian geopolitics, security, economics, and regional dynamics, frequently tying current events to broader historical and policy contexts. Episodes showcase expert perspectives from academia, think tanks, and government-affiliated institutions, covering topics like maritime security, great-power competition, regional cooperation, and the evolving influence of major players in the Indo-Pacific. A standout theme is the emphasis on nuanced, evidence-based analysis from a La Trobe-affiliated perspective, often prioritizing multilateral approaches, climate considerations, and grey-zone challenges over sensationalism. The show tends to attract listeners who want rigorous, academically grounded discussi... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Asia Rising?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Asia Rising:

1. The Foreign Affairs Interview
2. Empire: World History
3. If You're Listening
4. Ones and Tooze
5. Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today

How many episodes of Asia Rising are there?

Asia Rising launched 12 years ago and published 376 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Asia Rising?

Recent guests on Asia Rising include:

1. Nick Bisley
2. John Brumby
3. Dr. Troy Lee-Brown
4. Dr. Ian Storey
5. Margaret Myers
6. Dr. Robert Hovar
7. William Dalrymple
8. Raji Rajagopalan

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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