Asia Geopolitics

The Diplomat
  • 4.4 (21)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A weekly discussion of the geopolitical implications of current events in the Asia-Pacific, hosted by Ankit Panda and Catherine Putz from The Diplomat, with regular guests.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    US Strategic Incoherence and the Iran War

    The U.S.-Iran ceasefire is on the cusp of ending, negotiations appear to have stalled, and across Asia governments and publics alike are watching and wary -- what will U.S. strategic incoherence yield next? Today on The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast hosts Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) take stock of the current state of affairs, the view of the Iran crisis from the perspectives of U.S. allies in Asia, Central Asia’s oil exporters, and South Asia’s perpetual foes, India and Pakistan. You can subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify; and watch the episode on YouTube.

    19 min

  2. 9 MAR

    Inside North Korea’s 9th Party Congress

    What happened at the party congress and why does it matter? It may have flown under the radar for some, but in the latest episode of The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) dive deep into North Korea's 9th Party Congress, its internal and external implications, and the country’s geopolitical strategies under Kim Jong Un's leadership. Plus, Ankit outlines what weapons North Korea is looking for focus on  You can subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify; and watch the episode on YouTube. If you like the podcast and have suggestions for content, please leave a review and rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Ideas or questions? You can contact the hosts Panda and Putz.

    16 min

  3. 3 MAR

    What the US-Iran War Means for Asia

    As conflict unfurls across the Middle East, Asian countries -- U.S. friends and foes alike -- are watching carefully. In this episode of The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast, Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz discuss the recent bombing of Iran by the U.S. and Israel, exploring the geopolitical tensions and the implications for Asia, touching on nuclear deterrence (or lack thereof), what lessons North Korea may walk away with, how China is viewing these developments, and a host of other angles. You can subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify; and watch the episode on YouTube.

    19 min

  4. 12 FEB

    Is China Conducting Secret Nuclear Weapons Tests?

    In this episode of The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast, Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) discuss recent allegations aired by a U.S. official that China is preparing to -- and already has -- restart nuclear testing activities and the implications of these claims for not just U.S.-China relations but the geopolitical consequences of a return to testing. If you like the podcast and have suggestions for content, please leave a review and rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Ideas or questions? You can contact the hosts Panda and Putz.

    17 min

  5. 30 JAN

    The Downfall of Zhang Youxia

    In this episode of The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast, Ankit Panda and Katie Putz discuss the recent downfall of General Zhang Youxia, a significant figure in China's military leadership. They explore the implications of his removal, the allegations of corruption and espionage, and how this reflects broader trends in Chinese politics under Xi Jinping.  For more on the intrigues of China’s military purges, check out Zi Yang’s recent article for The Diplomat, “The Purge of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli: Why and What’s Next for China’s Military” and his October 2025 article, “What Does the Fall of He Weidong Mean for the PLA?”

    15 min

  6. 5 JAN

    Venezuela: Trump, Geopolitics, and the View from Asia

    In this episode of The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast, Ankit Panda and Katie Putz discuss the recent snatch-and-grab of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces, how this dramatic event is being perceived in Asia and what it tells us about Donald Trump’s United States. You can subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify; and watch the episode on YouTube. If you like the podcast and have suggestions for content, please leave a review and rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Ideas or questions? You can contact the hosts Panda and Putz.

    17 min

  7. 30/12/2025

    2025: A Trumpian Year of Geopolitical Shifts in Asia

    As 2026 dawns, we look back at a tumultuous year. In this episode of The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast, Ankit Panda and Katie Putz reflect on 2025, a year dominated by Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency and the unspooling of his particular brand of foreign policy across the globe. In Asia, allies and adversaries alike navigated the new regime in Washington, one willing to wield tariffs as a cudgel against both, and walk back threats as often as it made them. Meanwhile, Trump had a propensity to insert itself into distant conflicts and declare lasting peace. In regard to both the India-Pakistan conflict and the conflict between Cambodia and Thailand, what peace has emerged is fragile, with the underlying problems unaddressed and likely to resurface in 2026.

    20 min

  8. 08/12/2025

    Dissecting Trump’s Remarkably Odd US National Security Strategy

    In this episode of The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast Ankit Panda and Katie Putz discuss the recently released U.S. National Security Strategy (NSS), focusing on its unusual tone, its departures from previous strategies, and the implications for U.S. foreign policy, particularly in relation to Europe and Asia.

    18 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

A weekly discussion of the geopolitical implications of current events in the Asia-Pacific, hosted by Ankit Panda and Catherine Putz from The Diplomat, with regular guests.

Information

  • Creator
    The Diplomat
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2026
  • Episodes
    219
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Diplomat
  • Show Website
    Asia Geopolitics

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