Asia Geopolitics

The Diplomat
  • 4.2 (37)
  • 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. 3 DAYS AGO

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 20/11/2025

    Don’t Call it a Deal Just Yet: South Korea to Pursue Nuclear-powered Submarines

    Despite a factsheet stating that the U.S. has given approval for the ROK to build nuclear-powered attack submarines, there’s a tremendous amount of uncertainty as to what was actually agreed to.  In this episode of The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) dig into the recent news that the U.S. had given South Korea the go-ahead to pursue the development of nuclear-powered attack submarines. What does that mean? And what does it mean for security in Northeast Asia? 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
  7. A Busy Month for Central Asian Multilateralism

    18/11/2025

    A Busy Month for Central Asian Multilateralism

    Asia Geopolitics

    15 min
  8. The State of US Asia Policy in the Trump Era, With Special Guest Jim Sciutto

    11/11/2025

    The State of US Asia Policy in the Trump Era, With Special Guest Jim Sciutto

    Asia Geopolitics

    22 min
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4.2
out of 5
37 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
    216
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Diplomat
  • Show Website
    Asia Geopolitics

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