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Straight Talk Southeast Asia

Renegade Radio
Southeast Asia
Indonesia
Myanmar
ASEAN
Thailand
Vietnam
China
Philippines
United States
Climate Change
Malaysia
Cambodia
Political Instability
Joko Widodo
South China Sea
Democracy
Timor-Leste
Protests
Laos
Sara Duterte

Welcome to Straight Talk Southeast Asia. In this podcast, host, political analyst and academic, Dr. Bridget Welsh covers politics, current affairs, developments and other news in Southeast Asia, all for your listening pleasure. Episodes cover the latest developments every week, so it's best to listen to the latest episode to get to know what's happening. See you soon!This show is produced by Reneg... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes141Founded3 years ago
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Artwork for Straight Talk Southeast Asia

Latest Episodes

This episode discusses political violence in the Philippines through a lens focus on the recent Toboso killings with scholar Patrick Peralta.

Stay informed on our website:

straighttalkseasia.com/

This episode reflects on the 2026 IISS Shangri-La Dialogue defence diplomacy dialogue held in Singapore last month with its key organizer Dr. Evan Laksamana and shares insights from their new annual report on Asia Security.

Stay informed on our webs... more

At a time of increasing global crisis and greater uncertainty, this episode looks Japan’s deepening relations with Associate Professor Kei Koga and showcases how middle powers are strengthening ties with Southeast Asia.

Stay informed on our website... more

This episode looks at food security in the context of the changing weather conditions and the Iran war with RSIS’s Dr Jose Ma. Luis P. Montesclaros, highlighting variation in risks across the region and potential policy responses.

Stay informed on ... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Evan Laksamana
Shangri-La Senior Fellow at IISS
IISS
Episode: EP138: Shangri-La 2026 - Defence Diplomacy Challenges with Dr. Evan Laksamana
Kei Koga
Associate Professor, Public Policy and Global Affairs
Nanyang Technology University (Singapore)
Episode: EP137: Japan Steps Up for Southeast Asia with Associate Professor Kei Koga
Jose Ma. Luis Montesclaros
Lead on the food security program at the non-traditional security center
RSIS, Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
Episode: EP136: Food Security in Southeast Asia amidst the Iran War with Dr Jose Ma. Luis P. Montesclaros
Dr. Hipo Wangge
Senior Lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Papua politics expert
University of Science Malaysia (USM)
Episode: EP135: Papua Protests with Dr. Hipo Wangge
Ian Storey
Principal fellow, ISIS–USAF–ESHAC Institute; editor of Contemporary Southeast Asia; author of Putin's Russia and Southeast Asia
Yusof Ishak Institute (Singapore) / editor of Contemporary Southeast Asia
Episode: EP134: Russia and Southeast Asia with Dr. Ian Storey
Paul Chambers
Adjunct professor at the University of Oklahoma, specialist on Thailand politics and Thai military
University of Oklahoma
Episode: EP133: Thailand’s Military with Dr. Paul Chambers
Peter Cockcroft
Veteran in oil and gas sector issues, author of ASEAN Energy Report
Unknown (ASEAN Energy Report author)
Episode: EP132: ASEAN’s E-Crises – Energy and E-Waste with Peter Cockcroft & Wong Pui Yi
Wong Pui Yi
Researcher with the Basel Action Network focusing on waste and e-waste
Basel Action Network
Episode: EP132: ASEAN’s E-Crises – Energy and E-Waste with Peter Cockcroft & Wong Pui Yi
Lorcan Lovett
Journalist who works on Myanmar
Independent journalist
Episode: EP130: Non-Shifting Myanmar Politics with Lorcan Lovett

Host

Bridget Welsh
Host and political analyst focusing on Southeast Asia; affiliated with Straight Talk Southeast Asia.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 15 ratings
  • The Podcast That Makes Sense of Southeast Asia

    Straight Talk Southeast Asia cuts through the noise with sharp analysis, clear perspectives, and truly well-informed guests. Bridget and Zachary break down complex policies and regional decisions in a way that makes sense—and shows why they matter, not just to the 700 million people in Southeast Asia, but to billions more around the world who feel their ripple effects.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GardenDistrictVC
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great podcast

    This podcast is great for those interested in the complicated political world of Southeast Asia. My wife is from Thailand and the pod has been a great way to keep up with what’s been going on with the election.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JBL1990
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Framing helps non-experts understand why regional events matter globally.
Solid insights from diverse guests on regional issues.
Great for keeping up with Southeast Asian political shifts and elections.
Sharp, well-informed discussions that cut through the noise.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#80
Singapore/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#148
Philippines/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#165
Hong Kong/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#206
New Zealand/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#219
Singapore/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

EP134: Russia and Southeast Asia with Dr. Ian Storey
Q: What are the three most important features of the Russia–Southeast Asia relationship?
The key features are historical legacies of the Soviet era shaping perceptions, limited but meaningful defense and energy ties, and a pragmatic approach by Southeast Asian states that balances neutrality with strategic interests.
EP130: Non-Shifting Myanmar Politics with Lorcan Lovett
Q: What impact is the resistance having on the military's ability to project power, and how are internal dynamics shaping future moves?
The resistance, particularly the PDF, is weakening due to leadership and logistical challenges, while the military benefits from greater drone capabilities and fresh conscription; internal rivalries and discontent within the USDP add uncertainty, but a major fracture remains unlikely in the near term.
EP130: Non-Shifting Myanmar Politics with Lorcan Lovett
Q: Can you talk first about what you see of the changes happening with Myanmar's military?
The changes look like consolidation rather than a broad shift; the commander-in-chief has been maneuvering to bring loyalists into key posts, while maintaining overall control rather than overtly reforming the chain of command.
EP129: Iran War and Southeast Asia with James Dorsey
Q: What might a long-term reshaping of the region look like after this conflict ends?
A long-term reshaping could involve stronger diversification of energy partners, revised export and import patterns, altered security alignments with the United States and Gulf states, and a recalibrated regional balance of power that emphasizes resilience and neutrality where feasible.
EP129: Iran War and Southeast Asia with James Dorsey
Q: How should Southeast Asian countries respond to ensure economic resilience amid the crisis?
They should maintain a cautious, sidelines approach to direct mediation for now, focus on securing energy passage through the Strait of Hormuz, diversify energy and fertilizer sources, and hedge relations with major powers to protect their economies.

Audience Metrics

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

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Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Straight Talk Southeast Asia

What is Straight Talk Southeast Asia about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, policy-forward show covering Southeast Asia with sharp analysis and a steady stream of expert guests. Episodes frequently explore politics, security, economics, and regional diplomacy, tying local developments to broader global dynamics. The format blends rigorous host commentary with in-depth interviews from researchers, regional analysts, and practitioners, often highlighting governance, policy trade-offs, and resilience in the face of volatility. A standout aspect is the consistent focus on practical implications for policymakers and businesses, making it useful for listeners who want to understand both the why and the how of Southeast Asian affairs.

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Which podcasts are similar to Straight Talk Southeast Asia?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Straight Talk Southeast Asia:

1. Southeast Asia Radio
2. Asia Geopolitics
3. The Asia Chessboard
4. Pekingology
5. Dialogues at Fulcrum

How many episodes of Straight Talk Southeast Asia are there?

Straight Talk Southeast Asia launched 3 years ago and published 141 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 Straight Talk Southeast Asia?

Recent guests on Straight Talk Southeast Asia include:

1. Evan Laksamana
2. Kei Koga
3. Jose Ma. Luis Montesclaros
4. Dr. Hipo Wangge
5. Ian Storey
6. Paul Chambers
7. Peter Cockcroft
8. Wong Pui Yi

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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