Policy People

Latest Episodes:

In the Drone Zone with Ali Haxhimustafa Sep 13, 2021

Show notes

In this conversation, I explore new frontiers of drone warfare and the defense strategies for small countries with Ali Haxhimustafa. We discuss how drones are turning the tides of battles across Eurasia, various offensive and defensive drone tactics, how drone swarms give smaller forces affordable asymmetric advantages, what to do in a military withdrawal, the evolution of Kosovo’s military mandate and capacity, the country’s plans to join NATO, defense sharing and aerial defense systems, the importance of international training programs for smaller forces, cultural differences between militaries in democracies and autocracies, automated weapons systems, and many more topics.

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Ali Haxhimustafa is a major currently serving in the Kosovo Security Forces and a Commander at the Defense Academy, Center for University Studies in Kosovo’s capital, Pristina. He has vast experience planning and executing international field training exercises including in the US, Europe and with joint NATO programs. Ali has lead teams in the field of combat and has experience with new technologies, including drones and other devices. He is also involved in education reform for Kosovo’s defense personnel. You can discover the work of Ali’s academy, connect with him on LinkedIn or add him on Facebook.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit policypeople.substack.com

Canada, Japan and the Indo-Pacific with Stephen Nagy Sep 08, 2021

Show notes

In this conversation, I discuss Canadian and Japanese policy in the Indo-Pacific with Stephen Nagy. We discuss where Canada fits in the region, the perils of hostage diplomacy, why Canada needs to further align with other liberal democracies, the Arctic as a new space for geopolitical contest, Canada and Australia’s shared ‘China paradox’, how Ottawa should deal with the superpower in a nuanced way, whether Japan is serious about revising its Taiwan policy, what’s at stake for Tokyo in the region, the failures of Moon Jae-in’s sunshine policy, why South Koreans now dislike China more than Japan, how to prevent war in the West Pacific, and many more topics.

If you enjoy this conversation and would like to help the show, leaving us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts is the easiest way to do so.

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Stephen Nagy is a Visiting Fellow at the Japan Institute for International Affairs and Fellow at Canadian Global Affairs Institute. Stephen is also a Senior Associate Professor at the Department of Politics and International Studies at International Christian University, Tokyo and the Governor of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Japan. He regularly publishes in outlets such as the Japan Times, Nikkei Asian Review, Geopolitical Monitor, The National Interest and the Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs. Originally from Calgary, he has been in East Asia for almost decades, and speaks multiple languages. He is now based in Tokyo. You can follow Stephen on LinkedIn or follow him on Twitter at the handle @nagystephen1.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit policypeople.substack.com

Great Indian Expectations with Aparna Pande Sep 06, 2021

Show notes

In this conversation, I take a walk down India’s winding path toward great power status with Aparna Pande. We discuss whether India can really catch up with China, how each country traditionally views the entrepreneur, the caste system in contemporary India, state-society relations in the country, whether majoritarian nationalism can be reversed, the conflicting ‘ideas’ of India, the economic reforms the country needs to make, why China poses an existential threat India, the challenge of urban planning on the subcontinent, India’s approach to international trade and many more topics.

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Aparna Pande is Research Fellow and Director of the India Initiative at Hudson Institute in Washington D.C. Aparna is the author of the recent bookMaking India Great: The Promise of a Reluctant Global Powerand has published widely on Indian and Pakistani foreign policy, among other topics. You can discover the program she heads at hudson.org, connect with her on LinkedIn or follow her on Twitter at the handle @Aparna_Pande.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit policypeople.substack.com

China in the Caribbean with Rasheed Griffith Aug 27, 2021

Show notes

In this conversation, I discuss Chinese foreign policy in the Caribbean with Rasheed Griffith. We discuss China’s growing influence in the region, why Taiwan will lose all its Caribbean allies within a decade, how the US created a void for China to fill, which country’s economy is sustained by selling second passports to Chinese nationals, fintech and cryptocurrency experiments, infrastructure diplomacy and the need for development, why Haiti’s status as a country may be questionable, how Caribbean tax havens operate as Belt and Road-side ATMs that dispense funds to BRI recipient countries, and many more topics.

“Taiwan will have no more Caribbean allies within ten years.” - Rasheed Griffith

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Rasheed Griffith is a fellow at the Inter-American Dialogue and host of the podcast China in the Americas. In May 2021, Rasheed was invited to testify before U.S. Congress about China’s expanding influence in the Caribbean region. In addition to geoeconomic analysis, Rasheed has a background in finance and is an expert in compliance measures for the fintech ecosystem. Originally from Barbados, he currently lives in Panama and works for Canadian tech trading firm Merkle Hedge. You can discover Rasheed’s podcast and newsletter at chinacarribbean.substack.com, connect with him on LinkedIn or follow him on Twitter at the handle @rasheedguo .

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit policypeople.substack.com

Rebuilding American Industry with Jeff Ferry Aug 21, 2021

Show notes

“The economics profession has let down the American people.” - Jeff Ferry

In this conversation, I discuss policy solutions for rebuilding American industry with Jeff Ferry. We discuss the impacts tariffs on China have had on the U.S. economy, whether those tariffs should be made permanent, whether the White House should use tariffs as bargaining leverage with China, the fate of third countries in U.S.-China decoupling, Taiwan and its dominance in the semiconductor industry, the transition from ‘just-in-time’ to ‘just-in-case’ supply chain design, solutions for breaking through the short-termism that is endemic to Silicon Valley and D.C., the politicization of the economics profession, the future of global manufacturing and trade policy, and many more topics.

Jeff Ferry is Chief Economist at the Coalition for a Prosperous America. In 2019, Jeff and his colleague Steve Buyers won the Mennis Award from the National Association for Business Economics for their paper, Decoupling from China: an economic analysis of the impact on the U.S. economy of a permanent tariff on Chinese imports. Before moving into the policy world in D.C., Jeff worked for 15 years in Silicon Valley as a tech executive and has intimate knowledge of the semiconductor industry in particular. His writing has appeared in the Washington Post, Miami Herald, Forbes Magazine, and Bloomberg News, Business Age, European Business, and the London Sunday Times. You can discover the work of his tank at prosperousamerica.org, connect with Jeff on LinkedIn, or follow him on Twitter at the handle @Menloferry.

If you enjoy this conversation and would like to help the show, leaving us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts is the easiest way to do so.

To give us a review, just go to Policy People on Apple Podcasts and hit ‘Write a Review’.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit policypeople.substack.com

Nuancing Superpower Competition with Brian Wong Aug 11, 2021

Show notes

In this conversation, I discuss alternative futures for Hong Kong and the dynamics of great power competition with Brian Wong. We discuss why Brian will never leave his home city, the causes of rampant poverty and inequality in HK, why some multinatioanls are moving from HK to China, the plight of the HK diaspora and their internal divisions, Chinese nationalism and wolf warrior diplomacy, how official COVID narratives have created opposing realities in the US and China, the permanency of cultural decoupling, EU-China relations as an alternative model to superpower competition and many more topics.

Brian Wong is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of Oxford Political Review and a columnist for the Hong Kong Economic Journal and TIME. He writes regularly for publications such as Foreign Policy, Times Higher Education, the Diplomat, Fortune, SCMP, Nikkei Asia, and others. Brian is a Rhodes Scholar (2020) from Hong Kong pursuing his postgraduate studies at University of Oxford. He is a competitive debater who has represented Oxford and is also the Asia Lead for Polemix, a new app where users to debate current issues in video clip format. You can connect with Brian on LinkedIn, or follow him on Twitter at the handle @BrianWongOPR

If you enjoy this conversation and would like to help the show, leaving us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts is the easiest way to do so.

To give us a review, just go to Policy People on Apple Podcasts and hit ‘Write a Review’.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit policypeople.substack.com

Think Tank Diplomacy with Melissa Conley Tyler Aug 07, 2021

Show notes

In this conversation, I discuss the nature of think tanks and their function as diplomatic actors in the international system with Melissa Conley Tyler. We discuss the diplomatic functions think tanks perform, Australia’s policy scene and how the country’s think tanks can bolster its international influence, the profitability of think tanks, why think tankers are cautious communicators, the challenge of transparency around funding, reputation as the ‘currency of think tanks’, the differences between life in academia and think tanks, how young professionals can access tanks, the importance of mentorship in policy careers, and many more topics.

Melissa Conley Tyler is an experienced Executive Director who has worked in International Relations, Think Tanks and NGOs for decades. Formerly the Director of the Australian Insititute of International Affairs before becoming a Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne. Melissa was recently a Visiting Fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research in Taiwan and is now Program Lead, Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy and Defence Dialogue. She is also co-author of the book, “Think Tank Diplomacy”. You can connect with Melissa on LinkedIn, or follow her on Twitter at the handle @MConleytyler.

If you enjoy this conversation and would like to help the show, leaving us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts is the easiest way to do so.

To give us a review, just go to Policy People on Apple Podcasts and hit ‘Write a Review’.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit policypeople.substack.com

Policy Pulse (August 04, 2021) Aug 04, 2021

Show notes

Welcome to the Policy Pulse - a breakdown summary of some of the most compelling recent reports to come out of think tanks from around the world. This edition of the Policy Pulse is recorded as an episode of the Policy People Podcast. You can find all the links to the reports mentioned here in the show notes or in the newsletter.

Thank you to Sasanka Kanuparthi for curating this edition of Policy Pulse.

And now I bring you Policy pulse, (Date).

Do Russia-Turkey pose a joint threat to EU regional hegemony?

In recent years, the Russia-Turkey relationship has been marred by a trust deficit stemming from contentious geopolitics and diplomatic disagreements. However, the two share autocratic tendencies, weak institutions, and anti-Western attitudes. Adding to this, Turkey’s energy dependencies and defense engagements in the region make its Russia equation even more complex. This ISS paper explores various facets of this relationship in excruciating detail, covering areas of cooperation, conflict, and foreign policy convergence. This ‘cooperative rivalry’ raises several issues, and the EU’s preparedness to handle surprise changes is being monitored closely. Get deeper insights on the Russia-Turkey dynamic by reading this paper.

Can France secure its Indo-Pacific interests by partnering with Australia?

France controls territories and military facilities in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, wielding influence over regions off the East African coast and the Southern Pacific. The burgeoning strategic partnership with Australia holds significant promise in the eyes of French policymakers. How can France leverage this relationship to overcome limitations in its regional capabilities to achieve its strategic goals? This ASPI report looks at historical precedents and recent developments and lays out opportunities and constraints for strategists. Find out more by reading the seminal work by Nicolas Regaud on French interests in the Indo-Pacific.

Can regional governance save Latin America from descending into chaos?

Latin America is extremely vulnerable after facing multiple waves of COVID-19, economic crises, and socio-political strife. Regional rivalries and ideological conflicts are once again dominating the discourse at a time when citizens require real support from institutions. Scholars researching for Carnegie argue that reviving regional governance mechanisms will allow countries to better prepare for the post-pandemic world and that public health systems and economic recovery should be the top priorities. Further, they suggest that multilateral engagements will help the region secure a seat at the table in the newly emerging global order. Those interested in understanding Latin America better can read this report.

Can Ukraine remove the stumbling blocks to reform?

As a post-Soviet country, Ukraine’s emergence from the 1990s to the 2000s is reminiscent of newly formed democratic institutions riddled with vested interests and connections to oligarchs. Their influence spread far and wide as law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, media, and government accentuated crony capitalism. John Lough’s research paper for Chatham House evaluates the structures of the system, the sway of the oligarchs in key sectors, and the role of media in the system. He explores corruption in sectors such as banking, energy, and transport and the contemporary realities of post-2014 Ukraine. To learn more about the inner workings of Ukraine, read this paper.

Is Australia ready for an upsurge in cybercrime and ransomware attacks?

Australia came under incessant cyber and ransomware attacks in recent times, and this ASPI report finds the country underprepared to deal with the economic repercussions. Digitization has helped nations with better governance, financial transparency, and last-mile connectivity. However, policymakers are yet to fully understand the risks and security threats it poses. The report analyzes the role of external, state & non-state actors in instigating these attacks on Australian organizations and details the functional aspects of ransomware. It also lists recommendations to mitigate risks, some of which include, instituting legal frameworks, building transparency, and organizing nationwide education campaigns. Delve into the world of ransomware and discover Australia’s options with this report.

Thanks again to Sasanka Kanuparthi for his work on this edition of Policy Pulse.

Since Policy Pulse is a new format we’re experimenting with, we’d really appreciate any suggestions or feedback on how we can improve this program, so feel free to reply to this email, leave a comment or message me on my LinkedIn profile.

Stay well and stay safe,

- Liam

Founder of Policy People

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit policypeople.substack.com

China-India-Taiwan with Namrata Hasija Jul 28, 2021

Show notes

In this conversation, I discuss the changing dynamics of India’s relations with China and Taiwan with Namrata Hasija. We discuss how history continues to shape relations between the three, why Nehru’s government misread China, United Front operations in India today, Tibet in Sino-India relations, recent Himalayan border skirmishes, the differences between BJP and Congress policy toward Beijing, how India’s one China policy differs from the US, burgeoning people-to-people links between Taiwan and India, the prospect for Bollywood tourism in Taiwan, the importance of creating community in policy niches, and many more topics.

Namrata Hasija is Research Associate at the Centre for China Analysis and Strategy, a New Delhi-based think tank. She is also the author of the upcoming book, “Nehru and the Chiang Couple: Friendship and the Fallout”. Namrata is a China specialist who regularly appears on Indian national television, including programs like Lok Sabha’s Public Forum and TVSI’s NewsX. Namrata is also President of the Taiwan Alumni Association. You can check out her tank’s work at ccasindia.org, connect with Namrata on LinkedIn, or follow her on Twitter at the handle @hasijanamrata.

If you enjoy this conversation and would like to help the show, leaving us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts is the easiest way to do so.

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit policypeople.substack.com

The Selling of Canada's Sovereignty - Sam Cooper Jul 24, 2021

Show notes

In this conversation, I discuss how a state-sponsored transnational crime operation is eroding Canadian sovereignty with Sam Cooper. We discuss how the global drugs trade is a vector of geopolitical superpower competition, the strategic weaponization of underground banking, the Vancouver model of money laundering, the CCP’s role in the fentanyl trade throughout the Americas, drug war zones in Canada’s cities, the elite capture of Canadian business leaders by Chinese tycoons, the vulnerability of Chinese Canadian communities to United Front aggression, what lessons Canada can learn from Australia’s approach to Chinese infiltration, the linkages between Russian and Chinese operations, and many more topics.

Sam Cooper is an investigative journalist and author of Wilful Blindness. After reporting from British Columbia for Vancouver Sun and The Province for a decade, Sam moved to Ottawa where he now works as TV and print journalist for Global News. He won the Jack Webster Award for Feature Reporting both in 2018 and 2019. His recent best-seller Wilful Blindness: How a network of narcos, tycoons and CCP agents Infiltrated the West, hit No 1. in sales on Amazon Canada in June this year. You can connect with Sam on LinkedIn, contact him through his Global News profile, or follow him on Twitter at the handle @scoopercooper.

If you enjoy this conversation and would like to help the show, leaving us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts is the easiest way to do so.

To give us a review, just go to Policy People on Apple Podcasts and hit ‘Write a Review’.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit policypeople.substack.com