Rephonic
Artwork for The Impossible State
North Korea
South Korea
United States
Russia
Biden Administration
U.S. National Security
Nuclear Weapons
Ukraine
China
DPRK Policy
Ballistic Missiles
2024 Elections
Dprk-Russia Cooperation
Sanctions
Deterrence
Humanitarian Cooperation
National Assembly Elections
Japan
U.s.-Rok Alliance
DPRK

North Korea is the Impossible State. Each episode, join the people who know the most about North Korea for an insiders’ discussion with host Victor Cha about one of the United States’ top national security priorities.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes153Founded8 years ago
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Artwork for The Impossible State

Latest Episodes

In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha moderated a discussion with Dr. Jinaeng Choi and Timothy Martin to discuss the recent BTS comeback concert, how Korean culture around the world can impact Korea's soft power, how it may influence global audiences, and ... more

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In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha moderated a discussion with Dr. Tom Wright and Dr. Kristi Govella on examining Washington’s failed pivot to Asia, expectations for Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi’s visit to Washington, and its potential impact on the... more

In this episode, Mr. Sydney Seiler moderated a discussion with Stanford University Professor Gi-Wook Shin on his recent book, The Four Talent Giants, and how these four “talent giants” countries achieved economic power and sustained momentum by respo... more

In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha moderated a discussion with Adam Farrar and Igor Khrestin on the recent Coupang investigation, the key elements of Trump’s National Defense Strategy, what that means for South Korea and for any future response to North... more

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Recent Guests

Zach Cooper
Senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute; CSIS alum
American Enterprise Institute (AEI); CSIS
Episode: Is the Pivot to Asia Dead?
Kristi Govella
Senior Advisor in Japan Chair at CSIS; Professor of Japanese Studies
CSIS
Episode: Is the Pivot to Asia Dead?
Ki-Wook Shin
Professor and author of The Four Talent Giants
Stanford University
Episode: The Four Talent Giants
Adam Farrar
Senior geo-economics analyst for the Asia Pacific at Bloomberg Economics
Bloomberg Economics
Episode: Korea Update: NDS, Coupang and Congress
Igor Khrestin
Senior advisor of global policy at the George W. Bush Institute
George W. Bush Institute
Episode: Korea Update: NDS, Coupang and Congress
Dr. Chansong Lee
Research Fellow at the Center for Diplomatic Strategy, Sejong Institute.
Sejong Institute
Episode: Recalibrating U.S.-ROK Alliance: Strategic Priorities for 2026
Dr. Bee Yun Jo
Research Fellow at the Center for Strategic Security Strategy, Sejong Institute, and non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council.
Sejong Institute, Atlantic Council
Episode: Recalibrating U.S.-ROK Alliance: Strategic Priorities for 2026
Cho Byung-jae
Ambassador and Professor Emeritus at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies
Gyeongnam University
Episode: Is North Korean Denuclearization Dead?
Jun Bong-geun
Professor Emeritus at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy and President of the Korea Nuclear Policy Society
Korea Nuclear Policy Society
Episode: Is North Korean Denuclearization Dead?

Host

Victor Cha
Host of The Impossible State; President of Geopolitics and Foreign Policy at CSIS.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 200 ratings
  • Excellent

    Excellent and very topical podcast, which analyzes policy and current events from a variety of different perspectives. While on the whole very good, there are a few guests, like Zenobia Chan from Georgetown, who will actively parrot CCP propaganda without irony.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Joshua Xi
    United States4 months ago
  • Very, Very Good

    This show excels at covering the Korean Peninsula and the sphere relevant to it. Indispensable information and analysis; just top notch.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RJG179
    United States2 years ago
  • Very, Very Good

    This show excels at covering the Korean Peninsula and the sphere relevant to it. Indispensable information and analysis; just top notch. I do miss Sue.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RJG179
    United States3 years ago
  • Awesome

    Podcast Addict
    5
    DaniDani
    3 years ago
  • Awesome

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Dani
    3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the balance of academics and practitioners in guests.
Insightful deep-dives into North Korea and regional dynamics.
Strong, expert-led policy analysis with credibility.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#194
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#188
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#197
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#42
Italy/Government
Apple Podcasts
#148
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#159
France/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is the Pivot to Asia Dead?
Q: With Japan and Korea facing strategic tradeoffs, what kind of support or signaling do they need from the United States as their region grows more contested?
Japan and Korea seek assurances about U.S. commitment, while they want to contribute to regional stability; conversations suggest they may participate in specific measures (e.g., missile production support, economic security initiatives) but will weigh domestic political costs heavily.
Is the Pivot to Asia Dead?
Q: What has been the role of TPP and the move to CPTPP in shaping US economic engagement in Asia, and why did the strong political will wane?
TPP was central to linking economic strategy with security commitments; shifting public opinion toward economic nationalism derailed it, and even after Trump withdrew from TPP, the Biden administration had difficulty reigniting a broad, economically focused Asia strategy.
Is the Pivot to Asia Dead?
Q: So maybe you could tell us a little bit about why you think the pivot to Asia never really materialized beyond rhetoric, and if we pivoted at all in practice.
The guests argue the pivot was never fully resourced or institutionalized; domestic political shifts, especially on trade and economic policy like TPP, reduced executive will and funding, while military reallocations and Middle East commitments pulled attention away from Asia.
The Four Talent Giants
Q: How does Japan's approach differ from China's in terms of talent policy and its long-term implications?
Japan focused on strong homegrown talent with limited outward mobility, which fueled growth but created a later demographic and openness challenge; China embraced a broader global talent strategy with large-scale return programs, integrating external knowledge into domestic growth while causing tensions with Western partners.
The Four Talent Giants
Q: What motivated you to pursue this topic, especially given your prior work on other regions?
I wanted to understand how multiple Asian economies became economic powerhouses despite their different histories, cultures, and institutions, and how talent flows—homegrown development, foreign recruitment, and diasporic linkages—shape long-term development.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Impossible State

What is The Impossible State about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on high-level policy analysis and geopolitical dynamics in Northeast Asia, with a steady stream of policy researchers, former officials, and think-tank experts discussing North Korea, U.S.-Korea relations, China, and regional security. Episodes frequently dissect defense strategies, sanctions, diplomacy, and alliance management, often tying long-running geopolitical trends to current events. Noteworthy is the blend of scholarly rigor with practical policy implications, plus a recognizable emphasis on credible sources from CSIS and related institutions. This makes it valuable for listeners who want in-depth, expert-led takes on security strategy, diplomacy, and regional geopolitics, with a focus on North Korea and the broade... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Impossible State?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Impossible State:

1. The Asia Chessboard
2. ChinaPower
3. Pekingology
4. Russian Roulette
5. The Trade Guys

How many episodes of The Impossible State are there?

The Impossible State launched 8 years ago and published 153 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 Impossible State?

Recent guests on The Impossible State include:

1. Zach Cooper
2. Kristi Govella
3. Ki-Wook Shin
4. Adam Farrar
5. Igor Khrestin
6. Dr. Chansong Lee
7. Dr. Bee Yun Jo
8. Cho Byung-jae

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