Dialogues at Fulcrum

Japan’s Grand Strategy Amid Geopolitical Flux

Fulcrum [https://fulcrum.sg/]editor William Choong talks to Kei Koga about Japan’s grand strategy and approach to the Indo-Pacific amid challenges to the global rules-based order. Prof Koga is Associate Professor and Head of Division at the Public Policy and Global Affairs Programme, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (NTU). 4:20 – Japan’s grand strategy towards the Indo-Pacific? 10:30 – How the disruption to the rule-based order is affecting Japan and Southeast Asia 15:20 – Adapting to a “world minus one” system 19:30 - The future trajectory of the US-Japan alliance 27:00 – PM Takaichi’s polite “no” to Trump on the Gulf 30:30 – Japan and the future of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (is it dead?) 36:45 – Systemic factors behind ructions in Sino-Japanese relations 43:40 – The issue of history in Sino-Japanese relations Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute [https://www.iseas.edu.sg/].

Thailand’s New Conservative Turn

Fulcrum [https://fulcrum.sg/]editor William Choong talks to Mathis Lohatepanont about the implications of the recent elections in Thailand. Mr Lohatepanont, a frequent contributor to Fulcrum, is a Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Political Science, University of Michigan. 2:10 – A decisive outcome in the recent Thai elections 5:08 – Will reported procedural irregularities undermine the election results? 8:46 – The key factors behind Bhumjaithai’s rise to prominence 14:30 – Bhumjaithai’s adoption of the populist “half-half” policy 17:05  – The future of the People’s Party 23:27 – Has the Pheu Thai Party reached the end of the road? 27:57 – The Democrat Party and its pullback from extinction 34:20 – Will Thailand remain stuck at the conservative end of the political spectrum? 37:21 – The question of political reforms under a conservative government 40:05 – Thailand’s approach towards the dispute with Cambodia, and the popular mood towards the war in Iran Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

The Supreme Court and Trump’s Tariffs: Restrained or Resurgent?

Fulcrum [https://fulcrum.sg/]editor Lee Hwok-Aun speaks with Stephen Olson, Visiting Senior Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute [https://www.iseas.edu.sg/], on the implications of the US Supreme Court declaring Trump’s IEEPA-based tariffs illegal. 2:35 – The crux, surprising and expected elements of the Supreme Court 5:47 – Section 122 tariffs (15% for 150 days) – what should Southeast Asian countries do? 12:39 – Section 232 tariffs (based on “national interest”) – outlook and implications 19:28 – Section 301 tariffs (based on “unfair trade practices”) – outlook and implications 23:00 – Premises and outcomes of US trade policy: shifts since Liberation Day 28:31 – Domestic constraints on Trump’s foreign policy 33:09 – Will the tariff’s effects start to bite in 2026, and what are the political ramifications? 35:56 – Financial markets – impact on Trump’s policy and disconnect from real economy? 38:30 – New global order / Carney’s speech 41:47 – What should ASEAN do? 43:22 – China-US rivalry and upcoming Trump-Xi summit Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

‘Gangster’ Politics? Examining Protest, Power, and Poverty in Indonesia

Fulcrum [https://fulcrum.sg/]editor and Coordinator, Indonesia Studies Programme, Julia Lau speaks to Dr Ian Wilson about power, politics, and popular culture, including the phenomenon of 'preman' in today's Indonesia. 1:35 – Unpacking the causes of the violent protests in Indonesia in August 2025 9:00 – Prevalence of Preman ('Gangster') politics in Indonesia today 17:56 – Contrasting contemporary Indonesian politics with New Order politics 27:50 – Popular culture ('One Piece') and the evolution of protests and resistance in Indonesia's networked society 33:18 – The trajectory of Indonesian democracy 38:40 – Implications of inadequate efforts to address urban poverty in Indonesia 46:20 – Ian Wilson’s academic journey and tips for aspiring young scholars Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute [https://www.iseas.edu.sg/].

Thailand’s Left and Right: Never the Twain Shall Meet

Fulcrum [https://fulcrum.sg/]editor Dr William Choong speaks to Dr Napon Jatusripitak, Acting Coordinator of the Thailand Studies Programme at ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute, about the recent political shifts in Thai domestic politics. They examine the rise of Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of the Bhumjaithai Party (BJP), the BJP’s awkward partnership with the People’s Party (PP), and competition between the country’s political left and right. 1:19 – The rise of Thailand’s new Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the legacy of the Bhumjaithai party (BJP) 7:10 – The breakup of the coalition led by the Pheu Thai (PT) party 11:40 – The BJP and People’s Party (PP): “strange bedfellows” 21:30 – Weighing the upcoming general elections 24:30 – Ruing the future of PT 29:50 – Contradictions between Thailand’s political left and right 33:30 – Political disillusionment of Thailand’s youth voters Dialogues at Fulcrum is a podcast published by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.