Some Past SHOWS
Russia's Military Action in Ukraine
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Russia's Military Action in Ukraine
Radio Hosts:
Glenn Van Zutphen & Neil Humphreys
Guests:
Lily Ong & Steven Okun
Who incited the crisis in Ukraine? Is the Nazi threat real or make-believe? Will the crisis snowball into a greater geopolitical conflict? How might the conflict end?
Note: Post interview, Singapore finally passed a law, sentencing those (in Singapore) travelling to take up arms in Ukraine to life imprisonment. It would be another 10 months before the first apprehension of a white supremacist was finally made. And he wasn't even white.
5-Minutes with Ambassador Kudashev
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5-Minutes with Ambassador Kudashev
Guest:
H.E. Nikolay Kudashev
Ambassador of the Russian Federation
to the Republic of Singapore
As we bid farewell to a turbulent 2022 and usher in 2023, what is the defining trend taking shape in international relations? Does the militarisation of Japan make the region safer? What are election results signalling?
American Policy Towards Asia Part I
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American Policy Towards Asia Part I
Guests:
1) Ambassador Bilahari Kausikan
- Former Permanent Representative of Singapore to UN
2) Ambassador Ngurah Swajaya
- First Indonesian Ambassador to ASEAN)
3) Mr. Steve Okun
- Former Deputy General Counsel in Clinton Administration
What does it take to "Pivot to Asia"? If the US does not stand by its commitment in the Middle East, how can it shift its focus towards Asia without hurting its credibility? Can the US overcome its partisan gridlock to pursue a robust foreign policy towards Asia? This is Part I of a 4-part series on "American Policy Towards Asia" held at the 16th Lodz East Asia Meeting.
No Exit from Pakistan
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Guest: Daniel Markey
Titles: Former Policy Advisor, U.S. State Department
Dubbed the most dangerous place on earth and a black hole for American aid, Pakistan is stuck in a tormenting relationship with the United States. What fragilities afflict both parties, and how can America manage its relations with Pakistan in the complicated context of a rising Asia? How do Afghanistan, China, India, and Iran play into the calculus?
American Foreign Policy Under Biden
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American Foreign Policy Under Biden
Guest: Steve Okun
Titles: Former Official in Clinton Administration, Senior Advisor at McLarty Associates
Will US temper its global promotion of democracy after the Capitol siege? Is Biden’s foreign policy an Obama sequel? Which European allies are pursuing strategic autonomy? Will US quit turning a blind eye to the Saudi-led war in Yemen? How will the impeachment, conviction, and disqualification of Trump affect the credibility of America?
Diplomacy of a Small State
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Guest: Ambassador Bilahari Kausikan
Titles: Former Permanent Representative of Singapore to UN, Former Ambassador of Singapore to Russia, Former Permanent Secretary in Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
What does small state diplomacy entail? How does a small state like Singapore navigate geopolitical waters and the US-China rivalry? Which side would ASEAN pick? What can Russia do to up their game in Southeast Asia?
American Policy Towards Asia (2)
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American Policy Towards Asia Part 2
Guests:
1) Ambassador Bilahari Kausikan
- Former Permanent Representative of Singapore to UN
2) Ambassador Ngurah Swajaya
- First Indonesian Ambassador to ASEAN
3) Mr. Steve Okun
- Former Deputy General Counsel in Clinton Administration
How can the US embrace a long-term strategy towards Asia? Is the US lacking a cadre of Asian experts? Why would hosting APEC 2023 in the US be of high significance? This is Part 2 of a 4-part series on "American Policy Towards Asia" held at the 16th Lodz East Asia Meeting.
American Policy Towards Asia (3)
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American Policy Towards Asia Part 3
Guests:
1) Ambassador Bilahari Kausikan
- Former Permanent Representative of Singapore to UN
2) Ambassador Ngurah Swajaya
- First Indonesian Ambassador to ASEAN)
3) Mr. Steve Okun
- Former Deputy General Counsel in Clinton Administration
Should ASEAN suspend or expel Myanmar? What are the realities on the ground? Could ASEAN step up in the South China Sea dispute? This is Part 3 of a 4-part series on "American Policy Towards Asia" held at the 16th Lodz East Asia Meeting.
Is Biden the Man to Beat Trump
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Is Biden the Man to Beat Trump
Guest: Steve Okun
Titles: Senior Advisor, McLarty Associates, Former Official in the Clinton Administration
Is Biden the man to beat Trump? Shoule we still pay attention to polls? Who should Biden have on his presidential ticket for VP?
Peru Partners a Rising Asia
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Guest: Ambassador Carlos Corrales
Title: Ambassador of Peru to the Republic of Singapore
Supply chain disruptions have accentuated the need for diversified goods - what are some of the opportunities Peru see in the enlarging market of Asia? As the Pacific Alliance accounts for all of the trade agreements with Asia, how can we prevent further divergence between it and other LAC countries?
What Lies Beneath the Skripal Case?
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What Lies Beneath the Skripal Case
Note: Regretfully, video is unavailable due to technical issues.
Guest: H.E. Andrey Tatarinov
Title: Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Singapore
Following an alleged chemical attack in UK on former double agent, Sergei Skripal (and his daughter), more than 20 countries have engaged in a mass explusion of more than 100 Russian diplomats. What are the international SOPs for such circumstances, and have Russia, U.K. and other nations follow the investigative protocols? How will Russia deal with the snowball effect and manage the situation going forward? Beyond claims of "highly probable", what factual evidences have been furnished by U.K. so far?
"Five Eyes of Southeast Asia" and US-Indo Relations
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"Five Eyes of Southeast Asia" and US-Indo-Relations
Guest: Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu
Title: Minister of Defence, Republic of Indonesia
A retired 4-Star General, Indonesian Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu leads the largest military in Southeast Asia that's also one of the most powerful militaries in the world, How will Our Eyes Initiative (OEI) contribute to ASEAN counter-terrorism efforts? How are terrorists changing their game in Southeast Asia? Where do US and Indonesia relations stand and how can Minister Ryacudu and General Mattis further enhance collaboration in the region despite great power posturing of America in Indo Pacific?
What is Indonesia's role in ASEAN?
Indonesia's Role in ASEAN and Indonesia-Sinapore Relations (50th Anniversary)
Guest: H.E. Ngurah Swajaya
Title: Ambassador of Indonesia to Singapore
ASEAN and Indonesia-Singapore Diplomatic Relations both made their 50th anniversary in 2017. As the de facto leader of ASEAN, what is Indonesia’s role? Can ASEAN maintain its twin goals of unity and centrality as its members deviate over the South China Sea, Rohingya Crisis, and other regional issues? Since 1967, what were some of the challenges that came the way of Indonesia and Singapore? How did the two “neighbors by geography, partners by choice” preserve their relations beyond the era of President Suharto and Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew?
What's America's Grand Strategy - Part I
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What's America's Grand Strategy - Part I
Guest: Dr. Adam Garfinkle
Title: Founding Editor, The American Interest
(Ex-Speechwriter to Secretaries Colin Powell and Condolezza Rice)
In 2003, the U.S. invaded Iraq amid the context that Saddam Hussein was harbouring WMDs – none was found but a ceaseless war has ensued in the region ever since. How did 16 intelligence agencies get it so wrong? Why did NATO expand eastwards and ratchet up tension with Russia during peaceful times?
What's America's Grand Strategy - Part II
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What's America's Grand Strategy - Part II
Guest: Dr. Adam Garfinkle
Title: Founding Editor, The American Interest
(Ex-Speechwriter to Secretaries Colin Powell and Condolezza Rice)
Is American foreign policy no more than “irritable mental gestures masquerading as ideas”? Are America and China on the cusp of war? How do they differ on their exceptionalism? Should a nation in the name of "universal values" impose its values and institutions on others?
Israeli Attack on U.S.S. Liberty
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Israeli Attack on U.S.S. Liberty
Guest: Larry Bowen
Title: Survivor of U.S.S. Liberty and President, of Liberty Veterans Association
In 1967, Israel attacked an American spy ship, killing 34 lives and injuring 171. Was it a case of mistaken identity or more? Why were American rescue efforts recalled twice? What could have driven Israel to launch an attack on its staunch ally?
How Well has Singapore Done in Coping with Coronavirus
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How Well has Singapore Done in Coping with Coronavirus
Guest: Lily Ong
Title: Host, The Global Report
How well has the Singapore government done in coping Covid-19 and how have the lives of its residents changed in the process?
Africa - Land of Opportunities
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Africa - Land of Opportunities
Guest: Johan Burger
Title: Director of Centre for African Studies, Nanyang Technological University
Despite Trump’s derogatory reference to African nations, Africa is truly a region abound with vast opportunities. Besides the traditional sweets spots of oil, gas and urban infrastructure, what are some of the present and future opportunities in Africa? Who are some of the prominent international players in Africa and what are their African interests and strategies?
The Resilience of Mozambique
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Guest: Mayor Manuel Araujo
Title: Mayor of Quelimane City, Mozambique
Four centuries of Portuguese rule followed by a protracted civil war did not extinguish the resilience of Mozambicans but kept them seeking new ways of bettering their country. The people of Quelimane saw in Mayor Araujo the new leader who would take their city in a new direction; however, inheriting a debt-ridden city with depleted infrastructure was hardly easy. How did Mayor Araujo turn things around as he worked to urbanize the city within the context of sustainability? How can Mozambique, as a country, alter its development model so that it can cease being exploited by other countries?
Hawaiian Skies, Moroccan Nights
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Hawaiian Skies, Moroccan Nights
Guest: Mayor Mohammed Sadiki
Title: Mayor of Rabat, Morocco
With trade wars looming, the astounding results of the Free Trade Agreement between Morocco and United States demonstrate that free trade should be here to stay. What has transpired from the sister state and sister city relationships between Hawaii/Morocco and Honolulu/Rabat? Should Muslim nations speak out more against the Islamic extremists?
Russian Republic of Hawaii?
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200th Year Commemoration of Russian Fort Elizabeth
Guests (in order of appearance):
1. Bill Boerum, Chairman Emeritus of Sister Cities International
2. Natalie Sabelnik, President of Congress of Russian Americans
3. Oleg Malginov, Head of Russian Delegation, Director for Relations with Compatriots Abroad, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
4. Dmitry Zirnov, Minister-Counsellor, Embassy of the Russian Federation in Washington, DC
5. Bernard Carvalho, Mayor of Kauai
Had history taken a different turn, could Hawaii have become the Russian Republic of Hawaii? What is the historical significance of Russian Fort Elizabeth? Would Kauai become the first Hawaiian city to forge sister-cities relations with Russia?
Sister Cities Relations of Honolulu
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Sister Cities Relations of Honolulu
Guest: Mr. Edwin Hawkins
Title: Executive DIrector, Mayor's Office of Economic Development
Beyond the ceremonial niceties, what are the economic, cultural, educational, municipal, and humanitarian achievements being brewed from Honolulu's sister cities relations?