The Tea Leaves Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Admiral Harry Harris on South Korea and U.S. Strategy in the Indo-Pacific May 16, 2021

Show notes

Admiral Harry Harris served as U.S. Ambassador to South Korea from 2018 to 2021, before which he was a four-star admiral in the U.S. Navy, commanding the U.S. Pacific Fleet and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM). Admiral Harris was also the first American of Japanese descent to lead USINDOPACOM. Ahead of South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s visit to the White House on May 21, Rexon and Shery spoke with Admiral Harris about his expectations for the Moon-Biden summit, U.S. military capabilities and strategic competition with China, and his views on the Quad and other U.S. partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.

Introducing Tea Leaves 2.0: A Conversation with Rexon Ryu and Shery Ahn Apr 21, 2021

Show notes

Tea Leaves welcomes our listeners back with two new co-hosts: Rexon Ryu, Managing Partner at The Asia Group, and Shery Ahn, an anchor at Bloomberg Television’s “Daybreak Asia” and “Daybreak Australia.” In this latest iteration of the Tea Leaves Podcast, Rexon and Shery share their personal stories and discuss how their Asian heritage influenced their perspectives and chosen careers in government, journalism, and the private sector. The two also dive into the emerging influence of China throughout the pandemic and how recent events, such as the global semiconductor shortage and China’s post-pandemic economic recovery, are shining the spotlight on key markets and sectors across the Indo-Pacific.

Vasuki Shastry Dec 17, 2020

Show notes

For all the promise and potential that Asia has to offer for the world, what challenges does the region face? In this latest Tea Leaves discussion, Kurt and Rich sit down with Vasuki Shastry to take a more counterintuitive approach to Asia’s future and examine the region through a more critical lens, touching on social fault lines and wealth disparities that exist in the region today. Using Shastry’s new book – “Has Asia Lost It?” – as a starting point, the three discuss how both developed and developing Asia will be positioned following the coronavirus pandemic. To view the full video of this conversation, please visit https://theasiagroup.com/in-the-news/.

General Dave Goldfein Nov 29, 2020

Show notes

In this Tea Leaves episode, Kurt is joined by TAG Partner Rexon Ryu to welcome on General Dave Goldfein, recently-retired Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. General Goldfein shares his experiences guiding the 650,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian personnel that make up the U.S. Air Force through the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The three also discuss the future of the Air Force in Asia, how the Air Force approaches technological innovation, the importance of nuclear deterrence, and concepts of teamwork and leadership in the military. To watch the video of this conversation, please visit: https://theasiagroup.com/in-the-news/

Peter Martin Nov 15, 2020

Show notes

In this Tea Leaves conversation, Kurt and Rich talk with Peter Martin, defense policy and intelligence reporter at Bloomberg LP and the author of “China’s Civilian Army: The Making of Wolf Warrior Diplomacy.” Peter gives an overview of China’s diplomatic corps and expanding global diplomatic footprint, discusses the roots of “Wolf Warrior Diplomacy,” and describes also the dynamics, strategies, and traditions in Chinese diplomatic history.

Wendy Cutler Nov 01, 2020

Show notes

What’s next for the United States when it comes to trade? Is it ready, from a domestic politics perspective, to engage more deeply with its Asian partners? Kurt Campbell is joined by TAG Partner Kurt Tong for a conversation on all things trade with Wendy Cutler, Vice President and Managing Director of the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Washington, DC office. Wendy also discusses digital trade and data flows as an increasingly important component of overall trade, as well as the role of multilateral trade organizations in today’s global economy. The three also chat about core trade issues that linger between the United States and China and how they might be addressed in the future. To view the full video of the conversation, please visit: https://theasiagroup.com/in-the-news/

Robert Zoellick Oct 19, 2020

Show notes

In this Tea Leaves episode, Kurt talks with Robert Zoellick, former president of the World Bank and a distinguished diplomat, about diplomatic history as a tool to educate future policymakers in government. Using Bob’s newly published book: “America in the World: A History of U.S. Diplomacy and Foreign Policy,” the two dive into specific events in U.S. history – including events before the outbreak of World War II – that can be applied to contemporary issues pertaining to trade, security, and the role domestic politics plays in shaping foreign policy. To view the full video of the conversation, please visit: https://theasiagroup.com/in-the-news/

Daniel Yergin Sep 27, 2020

Show notes

In this Tea Leaves conversation, Kurt and Rich sit down with one of the leading energy policy experts in the world – Dr. Daniel Yergin. The three discuss the significant geopolitical ramifications of U.S. energy independence following the shale gas revolution. Dr. Yergin also discusses the emergence of a mixed global energy system as well as the complexities associated with nuclear power as an energy source in both Asia and the United States. They also talk about the energy demands of China associated with its Belt and Road Initiative and its actions in the South China Sea.

Ben Bland Aug 30, 2020

Show notes

In this Tea Leaves episode, Kurt and Rich are joined by Ben Bland, Director of the Southeast Asia program at the Lowy Institute. Ben, currently based in Sydney, shares important insights from his new book, “Man of Contradictions: Joko Widodo and the Struggle to Remake Indonesia,” which is the first English-language biography of Indonesian President Joko Widodo. The three roll back the curtain on Indonesia – Southeast Asia’s largest economy – and discuss what’s currently at stake amid the COVID pandemic. To access the full video conversation of the episode, please visit: https://theasiagroup.com/in-the-news/

Larry La of Meiwah Restaurant Aug 09, 2020

Show notes

On this Tea Leaves episode, Kurt and Rich talk with Larry La, owner of Meiwah Restaurant, a DC favorite frequented by former presidents, diplomats, and global celebrities. Larry shares his experiences as a restauranteur amid the ongoing pandemic, his Vietnamese roots, and his inspiring story as an American immigrant moving to the country in the late 1970s. The full video of this conversation can be found on the news section of The Asia Group’s website: https://theasiagroup.com/in-the-news/.

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