Episode notes
In this special year-end edition, hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso reflect on a transformative 2025 in the Indo-Pacific, examining the dramatic shift from conventional diplomacy to hard power politics under the Trump 2.0 administration. The episode provides a comprehensive review of the podcast’s most impactful conversations, from national government leaders to topical experts, while analyzing the year’s major geopolitical developments.
Trump 2.0 and the Hard Power Pivot
Jim and Ray discuss how the year began with U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel’s appearance, marking the podcast’s first sitting ambassador interview. Following President Trump’s January inauguration, 2025 witnessed a fundamental reorientation of American Indo-Pacific policy away from soft power initiatives toward military deterrence and economic leverage through t ...
Keywords
Indo-PacificChinaSoutheast AsiaAsiaASEANMilitaryGeopoliticsphilippinesUnited StatesdeterrencesecurityAustraliaAUKUSCyberEspionageGray ZoneEconomicsTaiwanIndiaSouth AsiaDiplomacyEast China SeaInternational LawAIDPRKNuclear WeaponsPolicyNational SecurityForeign AffairsNATOSouth KoreaGrey ZoneDefensePLA NavyChina Coast GuardCritical MineralsPLAInternational RelationsCognitive WarfareIrregular WarfareUnrestricted WarfareForeign PolicyAlliancesPolitical WarfarePsychological warfareRay PowellIndo-Pacific PodcastAsia PodcastSoutheast Asia PodcastInfluence OperationsGray Zone WarfareAsia-PacificAmericaNational Security StrategyJim CarousoStrategy