//podcastplus.net/feed/asia-rising~a8d376ae Asia Rising, the podcast of La Trobe Asia which takes a critical look at the key issues facing Asia's states and societies. Thu, 14 May 2026 08:14:36 +0000 https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/2153591454-asia-rising-hu-yaobang-chinas-communist-reformer.mp3 When Hu Yaobang died in April 1989, throngs of mourners converged on the Martyrs' Monument in Tiananmen Square to pay their respects. Following Hu's 1987 ouster by party elders, Chinese propaganda officials had sought to tarnish his reputation and dim his memory, yet his death galvanized the nascent pro-democracy student movement, setting off the dramatic demonstrations that culminated in the Tiananmen massacre. Guest: Robert L. Suettinger (Author of The Conscience of the Party: Hu Yaobang, Chinas Communist Reformer) Interviewer: Professor James Leibold (Politics, La Trobe University) Recorded 16th June, 2025. Fri, 15 Aug 2025 06:05:48 +0000 https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/2153591454-asia-rising-hu-yaobang-chinas-communist-reformer.mp3 https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/2153588730-asia-rising-the-future-of-aid-in-the-asia.mp3 2025 has been a challenging year for international development. The abrupt dismantling of USAID by the United States’ Trump Administration, sucking $40 billion out of the aid system, as well as significant cuts in development budgets by the United Kingdom and European donors has massively reduced aid funding available. This is having implications for multilateral organisations like the United Nations and World Health Organisation, as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and – of course – the people and communities that they support. How can multilateral organisations and NGOs reflect on the challenge and future directions? How can international development adapt and remain relevant in Asia and the Pacific? How can the process be decolonised to transform ways of working to support locally driven change? Panel: Munkhtuya (Tuya) Altangerel (Resident Representative, UNDP Pacific) Matthew Maury (CEO, Australian Council for International Development) (ACFID) Jope Tarai (PhD Scholar, ANU) ... Fri, 15 Aug 2025 05:35:59 +0000 https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/2153588730-asia-rising-the-future-of-aid-in-the-asia.mp3 https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/2033054004-asia-rising-the-contest-for-supremacy-in.mp3 Great power rivalry is now an entrenched feature of Asia's security environment. While the United States' role in Asia looks increasingly uncertain under the new Trump administration, China has long sought its security by building dominant relationships with smaller powers in its neighbourhood. While Australia focuses keenly on the activities of the US and China in East Asia and the Pacific, far less is understood about the contests for power playing out in Central Asia and its implications for global stability and order. In this arena, Russia and the United States are keen to challenge China’s presence and maintain access and influence for both themselves and their partners. As global geopolitics evolve, China has come to dominate a region that is crucial to the world’s economic and strategic future. In celebration of the new book ‘Great Game On: The contest for Central Asia and Global Supremacy’ by Geoff Raby. Speakers: Dr Geoff Raby AO (Former Australia Ambassador to China, 2007-2011) ... Thu, 13 Feb 2025 05:05:08 +0000 https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/2033054004-asia-rising-the-contest-for-supremacy-in.mp3 https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1823773584-asia-rising-book-launch-girt-by-sea-reimagining-australias-security.mp3 Australia has drawn closer to many of its Asia-Pacific neighbours in recent years, but 'when push comes to shove, it continues to look well beyond the oceans and regions that surround it to the distant horizons of Europe and North America for its ultimate security guarantee'. In Girt by Sea, international-relations experts Rebecca Strating and Joanne Wallis instead turn their gazes to Australia's near region, focusing on the six maritime domains central to its national interests: the north seas (the Timor, Arafura and Coral Seas and the Torres Strait), the Western Pacific, the South China Sea, the South Pacific, the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean. In so doing, they reimagine how Australia should understand its strategic challenges and find lasting security. Speakers: - Bec Strating (Professor of International Relations, La Trobe University, Director of La Trobe Asia) - Joanne Wallis (Professor of International Security, University of Adelaide) - Ali Moore (ABC Radio 774) Held on 15th May, 20... Fri, 17 May 2024 04:05:57 +0000 https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1823773584-asia-rising-book-launch-girt-by-sea-reimagining-australias-security.mp3 https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1808292624-asia-rising-domestic-violence-in-indonesia.mp3 In 2004 Indonesia enacted the Anti-Domestic Violence Law in what has been widely acknowledged as a progressive move, and a major achievement for the women’s rights groups who advocated for it. Despite the law being in effect for 20 years, domestic violence in Indonesia remains a persistent issue. Guest: Dr Balawyn Jones (Lecturer and Bendigo Law Convenor, La Trobe Law School, La Trobe University). Recorded on 1st March, 2024. Fri, 26 Apr 2024 05:32:36 +0000 https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1808292624-asia-rising-domestic-violence-in-indonesia.mp3 https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1802016240-asia-rising-is-aukus-a-good-deal-for-australia.mp3 In 2021 a new alliance between the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom was announced. Dubbed the AUKUS agreement, the centrepiece of the plan was for the United States to build Australia new nuclear submarines, to replace its aging fleet. Now almost three years later, the plan has evolved, and with it, inevitably has the budget expectations and the criticisms. Guest: Professor Peter Dean (Director of Foreign Policy and Defence, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney) Recorded 28th March, 2024. Wed, 17 Apr 2024 08:10:55 +0000 https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1802016240-asia-rising-is-aukus-a-good-deal-for-australia.mp3 https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1798983556-asia-rising-enhancing-global-and-regional-maritime-order.mp3 Oceans are an important resource for every country and are essential for travel and trade, but there are several critical issues facing maritime order in Asia. A lack of a shared vision, differing interpretations of maritime order, and cooperation over security issues all create friction for use of shared waterways across Asia, which makes fair and equitable access vital. How can Asian states and allies strengthen dialogue, interactions, and coordination to maximise the impact of their efforts in upholding regional and maritime order? Speakers: - Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) - Professor Alessio Patalano (Department of War Studies, Kings College London) - Professor Kyoko Hatakeyama (Graduate School of International Studies and Regional Development, University of Niigata Prefecture) - Professor Nick Bisley (Chair) (Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University) - With an introduction from La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Theo Farrell. Th... Fri, 12 Apr 2024 05:46:07 +0000 https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1798983556-asia-rising-enhancing-global-and-regional-maritime-order.mp3 https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1786460967-asia-rising-the-economics-of-north-korea.mp3 North Korea is an isolated and secretive country, long restricted by sanctions, and getting an accurate picture of its economy can be a challenge. So what can we know about its economic condition? Guest: Dr Chiew Ping Hoo (Senior Fellow, East Asia and International Relations (EAIR) Caucus, Malaysia) Recorded 6th March, 2024. Thu, 28 Mar 2024 11:05:54 +0000 https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1786460967-asia-rising-the-economics-of-north-korea.mp3 https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1775064309-asia-rising-prabowo-indonesia-and-foreign-policy.mp3 Indonesia has had a national election, and the likely next president is Prabowo Subianto, a leader with a checkered past. Prabowo served as Jokowi’s defense minister and gained his backing for this election, even naming Jokowi’s son as his VP running mate. Given his background, there are many who are carefully watching the decisions he will make in foreign affairs. Guest: Dr Lina Alexandra (Head of International Relations at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) based in Jakarta). Recorded 6th March, 2024. Fri, 15 Mar 2024 03:48:00 +0000 https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1775064309-asia-rising-prabowo-indonesia-and-foreign-policy.mp3 https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1773000375-asia-rising-2024-asean-australia-special-summit-keynote-address-from-penny-wong-and-enrique-manalo.mp3 La Trobe Asia is proud to partner with the Australian Government to deliver the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit: Maritime Cooperation Forum. The Forum will address the Blue Economy and maritime cooperation, as well as perspectives on regional maritime challenges and opportunities. This special keynote address is delivered by Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australia, and the Honourable Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines. It was introduced by convenor Professor Bec Strating, Director of La Trobe Asia. Held on 4th March, 2024. Fri, 15 Mar 2024 03:45:02 +0000 https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1773000375-asia-rising-2024-asean-australia-special-summit-keynote-address-from-penny-wong-and-enrique-manalo.mp3