In this episode, we’re gonna take a sweeping look at Southeast Asia's political, economic, and security landscape. The region sits at a geopolitical crossroads, a position that has created huge potential and a delicate balancing act between China and the U.S.

As an intrinsically diverse region, different countries pursue different levels of ambition. The difficulties the region has in finding a unified voice are clearly visible daily, whether it is in the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, the environmental challenges facing the Mekong region, or the protest-inducing corruption scandals in countries like the Philippines and Indonesia.

So is Southeast Asia meeting its potential? We asked Pita Limjaroenrat, former Prime Minister designate of Thailand and current Senior Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and Huong Le Thu, Deputy Director of the Asia Program at the International Crisis Group.

The conversation, recorded live on stage at our annual STATE OF ASIA CONFERENCE last month, is led by James Crabtree, a fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations and advisor to Asia Society Switzerland.

Find more information on STATE OF ASIA 2025, including videos, on the Asia Society website.

Stay up-to-date on all events and activities at Asia Society Switzerland: subscribe to the newsletter and support our work by becoming a member.
-
STATE OF ASIA is a podcast from Asia Society Switzerland.
Published: December 16, 2025
Host/Editor: Remko Tanis, Managing Editor, Asia Society Switzerland

This episode unpacks a pivotal year for India. Suhasini Haidar, diplomatic editor at The Hindu, explains how Delhi has adapted to unexpected tensions with the U.S., renewed pragmatism toward China, and its enduring reliance on Russia, while preparing for major trade negotiations with Washington and Brussels.

Milan Vaishnav, Senior Fellow and Director, South Asia Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, explores India’s internal politics: Modi’s continued dominance, the realities of coalition governance, and growing federal pushback from southern states. He shows how foreign policy has become central to Modi’s domestic appeal, and why that can cut both ways.

Geopolitical analyst, author, and former India correspondent for the Financial Times James Crabtree discusses why strong growth isn’t creating enough jobs, India’s modest gains in the “China+1” landscape, and the political constraints shaping trade policy. Plus: a look at how India’s model of crony capitalism has evolved over the past decade.

The conversations were recorded live, on stage, at the 2025 STATE OF ASIA conference, held November 6 in Zurich.

Find more information on STATE OF ASIA 2025, including videos, on the Asia Society website.

Stay up-to-date on all events and activities at Asia Society Switzerland: subscribe to the newsletter and support our work by becoming a member.
-
STATE OF ASIA is a podcast from Asia Society Switzerland.
Published: December 9, 2025
Host/Editor: Remko Tanis, Managing Editor, Asia Society Switzerland

At the 2025 STATE OF ASIA conference, we hosted two conversations focused on China.

First, hear from Desmond Shum, entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist, and author of the internationally acclaimed memoir Red Roulette, presenting a rare and authoritative perspective on the intersection of global business and Chinese elite politics.

Then, Abigaël Vasselier of the EU's External Action Service, shares her perspectives on China's next chapter and the country's relationship with Europe, in conversation with sinologist Simona Grano of the University of Zurich.

The conversations were recorded live, on stage, at the 2025 STATE OF ASIA conference, held November 6 in Zurich.

Find more information on STATE OF ASIA 2025, including videos, on the Asia Society website.

Stay up-to-date on all events and activities at Asia Society Switzerland: subscribe to the newsletter and support our work by becoming a member.
-
STATE OF ASIA is a podcast from Asia Society Switzerland.
Published: December 2, 2025
Host/Editor: Remko Tanis, Managing Editor, Asia Society Switzerland