



Why the US dollar is so sticky
Find out why the world is likely to stay dollar-centric even as countries try to toggle away from the greenback. Synopsis: Every third Friday of the month, The Straits Times gets its US bureau chief to analyse the hottest political and trending talking points. Harvard historian Mary Bridges, the …

Inside the secret Albatross file on Singapore’s Separation from Malaysia
Our guest reveals pioneer leaders’ differing views on Singapore’s Aug 9, 1965 split from Malaysia. Synopsis: The Straits Times’ chief columnist Sumiko Tan speaks to Janadas Devan, senior adviser at the Ministry of Digital Development and Information, on how the The Albatross File: Inside Separatio…

US in decline; Trump's 'Donroe Doctrine' is worrying Asia
Our guest expert explains the Americas-focused doctrine, inspired by the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine’s hemispheric stance. Synopsis: The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 45 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests. In this wide-ranging conversation…

Taiwan’s message to China: We are not alone
The island’s diplomatic space may be shrinking but it wants to engage the world on its own terms. Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times will now analyse the hottest political and trending talking points, alternating between its Malaysia and Greater China bureaus. For Novem…

How to read Trump right and why he and Xi get along
Our expert guest explains why he predicts both men will seek good vibes in 2026. Synopsis: Every third Friday of the month, The Straits Times gets its US bureau chief to analyse the hottest political and trending talking points. In this episode, US bureau chief Bhagyashree Garekar hosts her speci…

Inside the mind of Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first woman PM
Our guest expert looks at her political approach, as well as her personal side. Synopsis: The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 45 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests. In this wide-ranging conversation, Ravi speaks with Professor Tomohiko Tanig…

The two rules that Parisians broke in the hot summer of 2025
Spoiler: Politics, and the private lives of politicians. Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times catches up with its foreign correspondents about life and trends in the countries they're based in. For more than a century, it was quite accepted in France that Presidents and m…

Trump meets Xi: Who'll win the China-US tussle; impact on Asia
A grand bargain will be hard to strike at the upcoming US-China presidential summit, says a top trade expert. Synopsis: Every third Friday of the month, The Straits Times gets its US Bureau Chief to analyse the hottest political and trending talking points. In this episode, former US trade negoti…

Anwar’s Asean chair year: From geopolitics to fiscal finance, how did he fare?
Fresh off tabling Budget 2026, Malaysia is set to host world’s superpowers during the Asean Summit in KL starting Oct 26. For our October episode, ST’s Malaysia bureau chief Shannon Teoh and host Zurairi A.R. are joined by Tony Pua, an ex-member of Parliament from DAP, and previously a political s…

Behind that 100-part bicycle: Asia’s shifting supply chains
How geopolitics is pushing manufacturers from China to South-east Asia and India. Synopsis: The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 40 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests. In this episode, Ravi hosts Mridula Iyer, Asia South Head of Services at Ci…