Shows
Pacific PolarityBetween Miracles and Mirages: Donald Low on Singapore's Successes and Regional ChallengesIn this episode of Pacific Polarity, Donald Low elaborates on what makes the Singapore model click, as well as the lessons in governance that China and America can continue to learn from Singapore’s experience. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pacificpolarity.substack.com2025-07-2048 min
Pacific PolarityKurt Tong: Why We Still Need Economic DiplomacyIn the latest episode of Pacific Polarity, Ambassador Kurt Tong offers sharp reflections on American diplomacy in Asia. He underscores growing demands on the State Department’s capacity, particularly as issues like trade increasingly intersect with domestic politics, requiring careful coordination across multiple U.S. federal agenciesJersey LeeWelcome to this episode of Pacific polarity. Today we’re speaking with Ambassador Kurt Tong. Ambassador Tong is Managing Partner at The Asia Group, where he leads consulting teams focused on Japan, greater China and Korea, and on East Asia regional policy matters. He is a form...2025-06-2843 min
Pacific PolarityEvan Feigenbaum: America's Misperception of Asian Challenges and AspirationsWhat's driving dynamics across Asia? In our latest Pacific Polarity episode, Dr. Evan A. Feigenbaum of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace breaks down the key geopolitical trends reshaping the Indo-Pacific.Our expansive dialogue covered several topics, including:* Climate change in the Pacific,* A prospectus of AUKUS and U.S.-Australia relations,* China’s hardware-software tech ecosystem,* The future of rule-setting in Asia,* U.S.-China economic statecraft, and* The importance of American strategists to understand the concerns and aspirations of Asian states as independent ac...2025-06-171h 01
Pacific PolarityRising Sun, Shifting Tides: Kazuto Suzuki on Japan’s Economic Strategy in a Divided WorldRichard GrayWelcome to today's episode of Pacific Polarity. Today we're speaking with Dr. Kazuto Suzuki, who is director of the Institute of Geoeconomics at the International House of Japan and professor at the Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Tokyo. Dr. Suzuki also serves as president of the Japan Association of International Security and Trade, and an advisor of the Japanese government on National Space Policy Committee of the Cabinet Office. Dr. Suzuki, pleasure to be speaking with you.Kazuto SuzukiPleasure is all mine. Thank you....2025-06-1251 min
Pacific PolarityRenaissance or Recalibration? Jane Hardy on the U.S.-Australia AllianceFor this episode, we spoke with Ambassador Jane Hardy, non-resident senior fellow at the United States Study Centre, University of Sydney, and served as ambassador to Spain, Australian Consul General in Honolulu. Ambassador Hardy discusses her diplomatic postings, in particular the work that goes into engaging with America, and comments on the state of the alliance in Trump 2.0. She reveals that, even though she only left the post of Consul General to Honolulu in June 2021, she had no prior knowledge of AUKUS, which was announced in September 2021. This is a public episode. If you would like...2025-06-071h 01
Pacific PolarityMichael Green: Trump and the Pendulum of U.S. Foreign PolicyFor this episode, we spoke with Professor Michael Green, who is CEO of the United States Studies Center at the University of Sydney, and served in the U.S. National Security Council during the George W. Bush administration. Dr. Green advocates for America’s allies to remain committed to the alliance, but notes the many counterproductive moves by the Trump administration that, while mostly reversible, are damaging America’s global strategy at a privotal moment in the competition with China.Richard GrayWelcome to Pacific Polarity. Today, we're speaking with Dr. Michael Green, who is CEO...2025-05-2558 min
Pacific PolarityGareth Evans: Buying Common Security Across the Poles of the PacificFor this episode, we spoke with the Honourable Gareth Evans, who served as Australia’s foreign minister from 1988 to 1996. Mr. Evans is a strong advocate for Australia pursuing a more independent foreign policy. In our conversation, we discussed how Australia should navigate the Asia-Pacific, between a less reliable U.S., and a more assertive China. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pacificpolarity.substack.com2025-05-1848 min
Pacific PolarityVictor Shih: China's Economic Influence, Institutions, and Incursion with the United StatesFor this episode, we spoke with Victor Shih, Professor at UC San Diego’s School of Global Policy and Strategy. Dr. Shih is a leading expert on Chinese finance, political economy, and elite politics. In our conversation, we discussed China’s vision for international economic governance and the how Washington and Beijing are approaching the trade war today.Richard GrayWelcome to this episode of Pacific Polarity. Today we're speaking with Dr. Victor Schur, who's a professor at UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy, where he is the Director of the 21st Cent...2025-05-1140 min
Pacific PolaritySteven Okun: U.S.-Southeast Asia Trade, Tension, and Turning-pointsIn this conversation with Steven Okun, we discuss the evolving relationships economic relationship between Washington and Southeast Asia. During his career in and out of government, Steve has worked on policy issues on both sides of the Pacific. Today, as the founder of APAC Advisors, he counsels clients on sustainability and public affairs strategy. Richard GrayHello, everyone. Welcome to Pacific Clarity. Today we're talking with Steve Okun. Steve's career spans government service, consulting, and social impact. A seasoned Democratic presidential campaigner, Steve received a political appointment to the U.S. Department of...2025-05-0541 min
Pacific PolarityDialogue with Zhou Bo: China's "Grand Strategy"What is China’s grand strategy? What are the PRC’s principles in foreign affairs, and how does it’s government structure inform matters of decision-making? These are some of the questions we attempted to answer on this episode of Pacific Polarity with retired Senior Colonel Zhou Bo. During his career in the People’s Liberation Army, Zhou engaged extensively with foreign counterparts and was a consistent participant at the Shangri-La Dialogue. Today, as a senior fellow at Tsinghua University’s Centre for International Security and Strategy (CISS), he continues to share China’s perspectives on security issues with the world.2025-04-2940 min
Pacific PolarityIn Conversation with Ambassador Richard Broinowski: Australia's Place in AsiaIn this episode, veteran Australian diplomat Richard Broinowski reflects on Australia’s historical discomfort with its geographic position in Asia and the strategic shift that began in the post-Vietnam War era toward deeper engagement with the region. Drawing on his experience as ambassador to Vietnam and other Asian nations, Broinowski discusses the challenges and missed opportunities in Australia’s regional diplomacy, critiques the AUKUS agreement as limiting Australia's strategic autonomy, and calls for a more pragmatic and constructive relationship with China. He also highlights the importance of nuanced diplomacy amid the intensifying U.S.–China rivalry and reflects on the br...2025-04-2343 min
Pacific PolarityIn Conversation with Patrick Buchan: Australia in a Turbulent PacificA summary of our conversation is available here.Note: Our conversation took place on the eve of Trump’s “Liberation Day.” Due to Patrick’s connectivity issues, the conversation was conducted via phone call, leading to less than ideal audio quality. The transcript below has been cleaned up and can be referred to for a more polished version of our conversation.Jersey LeeToday we're delighted to be talking with Patrick Buchan. So Patrick, could you briefly give us a bit on your background?Patrick BuchanThanks, it's great to be on...2025-04-0958 min
Pacific PolarityAmerica is Looking Inward; Can Europe Look East?Europe’s status on the world stage is increasingly precarious, with an emboldened Russia, a damaged — if not decaying — trans-Atlantic relationship, and significant military and energy dependencies. This week, Richard Gray and Jersey Lee discuss the options Europe is currently faced with, how it might approach a "pivot to Asia", and the tradeoffs of such an “eastward” shift. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pacificpolarity.substack.com2025-03-0517 min
Pacific PolarityBridges, Barriers, and BRI: Southeast Asia’s Balancing ActSince the end of the Vietnam Wars, Southeast Asian states have opened, prospered, and strengthened relations with each other and states abroad. But, as the U.S.-China relationship continues to escalate, the Myanmar civil war continues unabated, and President Trump de-prioritizes multilateral institutions, ASEAN will face unique stressors. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pacificpolarity.substack.com2025-02-1725 min
Pacific PolarityAustralian Mateship: Facing Trump and China’s RiseAustralia is a steadfast ally of the United States, but its relationship with the U.S. is not without limits. In this first episode of Pacific Polarity, Richard and Jersey discuss the state of play in U.S.-Australia relations. They cover historic convergence and divergence between the two states, the role of China in defining their relations, and the ways in which the Australian Labor government might approach President Trump’s second term. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus ep...2025-02-0319 min