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China
United States
Taiwan
Indo-Pacific
Xi Jinping
Us-China Relations
Indo-Pacific Strategy
Southeast Asia
ASEAN
Japan
U.s.-China Relations
U.s.-China Competition
Alliances and Partnerships
Asia
Scams
NATO
Chinese Policy
National Security
Australia
Russia

The “Asia Chessboard” features in-depth conversations with the most prominent strategic thinkers on Asia. Host Michael Green, Henry A. Kissinger Chair at CSIS and CEO of the United States Studies Centre, takes the debate beyond the headlines of the day to explore the historical context and inside decision-making process on major geopolitical developments from the Himalayas to the South China Sea. ... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes136Founded7 years ago
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Artwork for The Asia Chessboard

Latest Episodes

In this episode, Mike sits down with Randall Schriver, Chairman of the Board at the Institute for Indo-Pacific Security and former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs (January 2018-December 2019), to take stock of America... more

Mike is joined by Professor Vipin Narang, the Frank Stanton Professor of Nuclear Security and Political Science and inaugural director of MIT SSP’s Center for Nuclear Security Policy (CNSP). From March 2022 to August 2024, he served as Principal Depu... more

YouTube

What does a more uncertain transatlantic relationship mean for Europe’s role in the Indo-Pacific? Mike sits down with Dr Gorana Grgić, Head of the Global Security Team at ETH Zürich’s Center for Security Studies and Non-Resident Fellow at the United ... more

YouTube

In this episode, Mike is joined by Dr Arzan Tarapore, Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, and Visiting Fellow at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy. They unpack the Pentagon's decision to revert the U.S... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Vipin Narang
Frank Stanton Professor of Nuclear Security and Political Science; inaugural Director of MIT SSP CNSP
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Episode: Asia in the New Nuclear Age
Gorana Grgić
Head of Security Studies at ETH Zurich Center for Security Studies
ETH Zurich
Episode: Why Europe Still Matters to Asia's Security
Arzan Tarapore
Leading thinker on Indian Ocean Strategy and Indian Military Affairs
Hoover Institution at Stanford (Visiting Fellow); affiliated with European University Institute in Florence; former Australian defense official
Episode: From INDOPACOM to PACOM: Is There a Strategic Backstory?
Bryan Clark
Senior Fellow and Director of the Centre for Defense Concepts and Technology at the Hudson Institute
Hudson Institute
Episode: How Prepared is the United States for War in the Indo-Pacific?
Laura Stone
Senior Advisor at DGA Albright Stonebridge Group; former US Ambassador to the Marshall Islands
Albright Stonebridge Group
Episode: The New Great Game in the Pacific Islands
Minxin Pei
Analyst focusing on internal Chinese politics and its global implications
Claremont McKenna College; Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (former)
Episode: The Power Politics behind Xi’s Grand Strategy
Justin Bassi
Executive Director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPE)
Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPE)
Episode: Grand Strategy Down Under
Choi Kang
President of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, Seoul
Asan Institute for Policy Studies
Episode: A New Security Consensus in South Korea?
Joanne Lin Weiling
Senior fellow at the Institute for Southeast Asian Studies, Yusof Ishak Institute
ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute
Episode: How Does Southeast Asia View U.S.–China Competition?

Host

Michael Green
Host of The Asia Chessboard; Henry A. Kissinger Chair at CSIS; CEO of the United States Studies Centre.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 274 ratings
  • Worthwhile – with Caveats

    Interesting discussions and sometimes astute analyses of the malevolent CCP threat facing the liberal West. The podcast is, however, unfortunately let down at times by political bias (via-à-vis internal US politics) and a predilection for some uninterrogated foreign policy shibboleths and bromides.

    It often reads like yet another formulaic and hive-minded essay from the nomenklatura of Foreign Affairs magazine, a group which (like most Western leaders) was too inept to grasp the threat posed b... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Bibliophenia
    United Kingdom15 days ago
  • The Iran Wars (1979 - pres)

    The Iranian Theocracy has been at war with the US since 1979.

    Why do we doubt that they don’t mean it when they chant, “Death to America” for 47yrs, are the biggest state sponsor of terrorism - killing hundreds & wounded thousands of Americans.

    They took our diplomats hostage in 1979-1981, we had to take out their navy when they mined to close down the Strait of Hormuz in 1987.

    Iran is oil rich, but the theocracy wants a nuclear weapon to use against Israel, what they describe as, “a one b... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    another RJF
    United States5 months ago
  • Still too conventional

    In the world changing at this peace, this type of analysis can be misleading overall

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Юлона
    United States2 years ago
  • True experts from the arena

    I don’t listen to every episode but I have yet to listen to one that I didn’t love and gain some new angle from. Bravo CSIS

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Eric Staib
    United States2 years ago
  • Very good but with some limits

    There is a ton to like in this podcast and I have been listening and recommending for years. Covers a broad range of countries and topics. I do wish 1. Dr. Green would not view himself as a “co-guest” on every episode (let the guest do the lion’s share of the talking, please!) and 2. Bring on some more guests who disagree (in a thoughtful way) with Mike’s (and in the past Jude’s) views. The combination of these two issues can make it a bit predictable and repetitive.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    ps19827
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Audience appreciates historical context that informs current policy decisions.
Insightful and high-level analysis on Asia-Pacific security and US strategy.
Guests bring deep expertise, elevating the discussion beyond surface-level geopolitics.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#119
Indonesia/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Asia in the New Nuclear Age
Q: What role should arms control play in a multi-polar environment with China, Russia, and regional players?
Arms control remains important but faces legitimacy and verification challenges; any path likely needs broader participation, possibly a P5 framework, and should be pursued alongside credible deterrence and allied reassurance.
Asia in the New Nuclear Age
Q: Is nuclear sharing a viable or desirable tool for extended deterrence in Asia?
Nuclear sharing is costly and politically sensitive; there are viable alternatives, such as secure storage and theater options, plus enhanced trilateral coordination among allies to reinforce deterrence without permanent deployments.
Asia in the New Nuclear Age
Q: What is the current state of global nuclear security beyond the Cold War era, and how do alliances help or hinder stability?
The landscape is more complex with multiple nuclear powers and rising proliferation pressures; alliances remain crucial for credibility and deterrence, but require continuous adaptation, coordination, and a broader set of options beyond a traditional triad.
Why Europe Still Matters to Asia's Security
Q: Is there a risk that Europe tries to 'stay in its lane' and how does that affect Asia-Europe security?
Staying in a lane is seen as unrealistic given the interlinked security environment; Europe's deterrent and shaping power remains significant, and active, coordinated engagement with Asia is necessary to address shared threats and to leverage economic and diplomatic weight.
Why Europe Still Matters to Asia's Security
Q: What role does the European Union play in coordinating defense and security with Indo-Pacific partners?
The EU acts as a key coordinating mechanism, leveraging supports like Security and Defense Partnerships (SDPs) to enable joint procurement and co-production, while consolidating defense markets to reduce fragmentation and improve interoperability across Europe and with Indo-Pacific partners.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Asia Chessboard

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

Analyses center on Indo-Pacific geopolitics, allied strategy, and great-power competition, with frequent deep-dives into how policy, technology, and alliances shape regional security. Conversations often feature senior policymakers, top think-tank scholars, and regional experts discussing US strategy in Asia, China's rise, Taiwan, the Pacific Islands, India–US relations, and the role of alliances like AUKUS and the Quad. A standout trait is rigorous, context-rich debates that connect historical patterns to current decision-making, making it valuable for listeners who want textured, policy-forward insights beyond headlines. The format tends to mix strategic framing with practical implications for policymakers, business leaders, and defense p... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Asia Chessboard?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Asia Chessboard:

1. ChinaPower
2. Pekingology
3. Asia Geopolitics
4. The President’s Inbox
5. Russian Roulette

How many episodes of The Asia Chessboard are there?

The Asia Chessboard launched 7 years ago and published 136 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 The Asia Chessboard?

Recent guests on The Asia Chessboard include:

1. Vipin Narang
2. Gorana Grgić
3. Arzan Tarapore
4. Bryan Clark
5. Laura Stone
6. Minxin Pei
7. Justin Bassi
8. Choi Kang

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