Asia Geopolitics

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.

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.

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.

A Busy Month for Central Asian Multilateralism

From a dinner at the White House and dozens of deals to a gathering in Tashkent, it’s been a busy diplomatic month for the Central Asian presidents. 

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

Reflecting on the U.S. president’s recent Asia trip, how American partners view Trump’s nontraditional diplomatic style, and what (in Asia) keeps Jim up at night.