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Inside Asia

by The Center for Asian Democracy

Season 2026

Inside the Bangsamoro Elections with Prime Ragandang

In September 2026, residents of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao in the Philippines will head to the polls to elect the region's parliament. This marks a landmark step in the BARMM peace process, as the region moves past decades of insurgency and political violence. Still, substantial challenges remain. The elections have already been delayed multiple times due to planning difficulties, and the peace agreement's strands on reconciliation and reintegrating former combatants face implementation obstacles. Dr. Prime Ragandang (Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology) joins the pod to discuss the elections, and how his research on transgenerational peacebuilding spotlights paths to deepening peace and democratization. Check out Prime's award-winning book, Peacebuilding and Memory in the Philippines: Transgenerational Resilience (Palgrave)

Inside Bangladesh's Post-Revolution Election with David Jackman

On February 12, Bangladesh went to the polls for the first elections since the country's student-led July 2024 uprising that forced Sheikh Hasina's Awami League from power. The elections were a decisive victory for the Bangladesh National Party, but also pointed to future influence for Jamaat-e-Islami and uncertain next steps for the country's student movement. Voters also approved substantial constitutional reforms. Dr. David Jackman (Oxford University) joins the pod to discuss the elections, and how his research on urban politics and criminal syndicates sheds new light on points of transition and continuity in the country's politics. Check out Jackman's new book, Syndicates and Societies: Criminal Politics in Dhaka (Cambridge University Press).

Season 2025

Inside Nepal's Gen Z Protests with Dr. Annamaria Prati

In September 2025, "Gen-Z Protests" fueled by frustrations with governance, corruption and economic opportunity toppled Nepal's government. As the country's interim leaders prepare for March elections, questions remain about addressing the root causes of youth frustration. The country has made substantial progress since its civil war, but much work remains. Dr. Annamaria Prati (New York University) joins the pod to discuss her research on strengthening state capacity through monitoring by local community leaders. For more on Annamaria's research see: https://afprati.github.io/

Inside Soviet Legacies in Central Asia with Khasan Redjaboev

Newly-arrived CAD doctoral fellow Khasan Redjaboev joins the pod to discuss his research on governance in Central Asia, with a special focus on Soviet colonial legacies in the region. What are the prospects for democratization in the region, and how do regimes maintain their legitimacy? How do Soviet-era agricultural policies continue to impact the region's politics, especially related to gender? How has China's geopolitical rise recast the region's politics? Khasan's research brings this diverse region into focus.

Inside the Dalai Lama and Asian Politics with Dr. Tenzin Dorjee

Why did the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday celebrations get international headlines? The observances involved not only communal celebration, but also important announcements from the Dalai Lama about his future reincarnation, a matter of both spiritual and political significance. The future of the Dalai Lama is central not only to the Tibetan community, but also to Chinese interests and the balance of power in Asia. Dr. Tenzin Dorjee (Columbia University) joins the pod to discuss how his research helps make sense of the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday. For more on Tendor's research see: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/beijings-dangerous-game-tibet https://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/blog_post/dying-in-the-truth-closer-look-at-self-immolations-freedom-struggles/ https://www.tenzindorjee.net/

Inside the Indonesia Protests with Dr. Alexander Arifianto

Why have protests provoked a violent reaction from Indonesia's government in the past month, and what does this teach us about the health of democracy in the world's largest Muslim-majority country? Protests drew on long-standing popular frustrations, but focused particular ire on proposed policy changes by President Prabowo Subianto. Prabowo has shuffled his cabinet in the face of popular anger, but questions remain about the long-term impact of the protest movement. Dr. Alexander Arifianto (S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University) joins the pod to discuss how his research helps make sense of democracy's prospects in this Southeast Asian giant. For more of Dr. Arifianto's work, see his website: https://rsis.edu.sg/profile/alexander-raymond-arifianto/

Inside the Politics of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and Beyond

How do Buddhist monks impact politics across South and Southeast Asia? Buddhist nationalist movements have fueled democratic backsliding in places like Myanmar. Yet monks were among the pro-democracy protesters in Sri Lanka in 2022, setting the stage for that country's surprising 2024 elections. Other monastics may limit their political activities, for diverse reasons. Prof. Benjamin Schonthal (University of Otago) joins the pod to discuss how his work on "sangha capture" and legal pluralism can help make sense of the diverse roles of Buddhist clergy in the region's politics. For more information on Prof. Schonthal's publications, see: https://otago.academia.edu/BenSchonthal For our deep dive on the 2024 Sri Lanka presidential election, listen to: https://rss.com/podcasts/cadpodcast/1685690

Inside the Philippine Midterms with Nicole Curato

In early May, voters in the Philippines will head to the polls for the country's midterm elections. These races are always seen as a referendum on the incumbent president, and this year, they take on added importance given the pending impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte and the detention of her father, former-president Rodrigo Duterte, at the International Criminal Court. Prof. Nicole Curato (University of Birmingham) joins the pod to discuss the forces shaping the campaign's final stages, as well as how her work on deliberative democracy speaks to opportunities for strengthening institutions in these challenging times.

Inside South Korea's Martial Law Fallout

In early December, South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol shocked the world by declaring martial law. The declaration was swiftly challenged in the legislature and reversed by the administration. Impeachment and criminal charges now face Yoon, and the country confronts entrenched polarization. Prof. Sanghoon Kim-Leffingwell, Assistant Professor at the University of North Texas, joins the pod to discuss the fallout from martial law, and how "authoritarian nostalgia" shapes the country's democracy. Episode image by Hashflu under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

Season 2024

Inside Trials of Hong Kong's Pro-Democracy Activists

In late-November, several dozen pro-democracy activists received criminal sentences in Hong Kong. Pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai is in the midst of his individual criminal trial. The trials and convictions reflect the latest stage of Beijing's crackdown, which reached a new stage under the 2020 national security law. Dr. Yan-ho Lai (Eric), research fellow at Georgetown Center for Asian Law (GCAL), joins the pod to discuss the trials and the potential for resistance through the legal system in Hong Kong.

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