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Artwork for The Asia Chessboard
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
Chinese Policy
National Security
Australia
Russia
South Korea

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 monthlyEpisodes129Founded7 years ago
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Artwork for The Asia Chessboard

Latest Episodes

Mike sits down with Justin Bassi, Executive Director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, to examine Australia’s latest 2026 National Defence Strategy and what it reveals about Canberra’s evolving strategic outlook. They examine how the stra... more

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Mike joins Dr. Choi Kang, President of the Seoul-based Asan Institute for Policy Studies, to break down the latest results from the Institute’s annual public opinion poll and what they reveal about how South Koreans view today’s most pressing securit... more

YouTube

In this episode, Mike is joined by Joanne Lin Weiling, Senior Fellow and Coordinator at the ASEAN Studies Centre at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute and Visiting Scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Center for International Studies. Th... more

In this episode, Mike sits down with Evan Medeiros, the Penner Family Chair in Asia Studies at Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service and Cling Family Distinguished Fellow in U.S.–China Studies. They examine Beijing’s response to the war in Iran, tra... more

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Recent Guests

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?
Evan Medeiros
Penner Family Chair in Asia Studies at the School of Foreign Service and Kling Family Distinguished Fellow in US China Studies, Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Episode: The Iran War and Strategic Competition in Asia
Toshi Yoshihara
Senior Fellow at CSBA, former Naval War College chair
Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments
Episode: Holding the Line: Denial Defense Along the First Island Chain
Tanvi Madan
Senior Fellow in the Center for Asia Policy Studies at Brookings
Brookings Institution
Episode: Crucial Partners: the Volatile and Indispensable U.S.-India Linkage
I-Chung Lai
President of the Prospect Foundation, an important voice in security policy and geopolitics from Taiwan
Prospect Foundation
Episode: Taiwan’s Strategic Clarity Amid Global Upheaval
Emily Kilcrease
Former Deputy Assistant US Trade Representative overseeing foreign investment policy and current director at the Center for New American Security.
Center for New American Security
Episode: Washington’s New China Tech Strategy
Ely Ratner
Policy scholar practitioner and former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Affairs
The Marathon Initiative
Episode: Ely Ratner - Does Asia Need a Collective Defense Pact?

Host

Michael Green
Host of The Asia Chessboard

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 268 ratings
  • 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 States2 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 Statesa year 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 Statesa year 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 Statesa year ago
  • 12/19/2024 The Philippines

    After being told to close down our bases & leave the Philippines, we should have let the Philippines solve their own problems. It was obvious the PRC would be able to push around the Philippines without the US there. It is a waste of US taxpayers to close down bases and then to reopen them.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    another RJF
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Many appreciate the historical context and depth beyond headlines.
Listeners praise the rigorous, expert-driven analysis and diverse guest roster.
Some critique occasional host-driven framing and desire more dissenting viewpoints.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#185
Israel/News
Apple Podcasts
#220
Taiwan/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

A New Security Consensus in South Korea?
Q: But I want to start with you, Choi. How did you get into this? Did your parents hope that you would be a dentist or a doctor and you took a long turn?
Choi explains his pathway from North Korean-focused family background into defense analysis, emphasizing a long-standing interest in national security and the influence of mentors and policy work, including time at KIDA and the NSC.
How Does Southeast Asia View U.S.–China Competition?
Q: What is the top-line takeaway of the latest State of Southeast Asia survey?
Southeast Asia is uneasy about both the United States and China, but in different ways; China is influential but not universally trusted, while confidence in US leadership has weakened, especially on trade and global rules, leading to a cautious pursuit of strategic autonomy.
The Iran War and Strategic Competition in Asia
Q: How might the Middle East turbulence affect the US pivot to Asia and regional alliances?
The Middle East upheaval complicates the pivot but does not derail it; the US should maintain forward-deployed forces and alliances while leveraging energy security dynamics to keep Asian partners engaged, recognizing that energy shocks and regional instability will influence defense and economic planning.
The Iran War and Strategic Competition in Asia
Q: What does it tell us about China's influence and interests in the Middle East?
China's ties with Iran began as transactional and energy-based, expanding into political signaling but often avoiding deep political commitments; over time China has tried to protect its Gulf interests, demonstrate restraint, and avoid provoking the US, while focusing on energy security and economic links.
Amb. Nicholas Burns – Allies, Partners, and the U.S.-China Relationship
Q: Has it become much more zero sum and transactional and things that on their merits are worth doing, Beijing isn't willing to do without getting something in exchange?
Yes, the relationship is far more difficult to manage than it was, with China wanting something in exchange for cooperation.

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?

A thoughtful, policy-focused show that centers Asia-wide strategic dynamics, with deep dives into alliances, regional security architectures, and great-power competition. Episodes frequently explore US-China competition, regional security frameworks, and how domestic politics shape foreign policy, often featuring leading researchers, former officials, and senior strategists from top think tanks. Noteworthy is the consistent emphasis on historical context, alliance architecture, and practical policy implications for Washington's Asia strategy, making it valuable for listeners who want rigorous, intellectually grounded analysis and a sober synthesis of complex geopolitical trends.

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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 Trade Guys
5. Russian Roulette

How many episodes of The Asia Chessboard are there?

The Asia Chessboard launched 7 years ago and published 129 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. Justin Bassi
2. Choi Kang
3. Joanne Lin Weiling
4. Evan Medeiros
5. Toshi Yoshihara
6. Tanvi Madan
7. I-Chung Lai
8. Emily Kilcrease

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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