2025: A Trumpian Year of Geopolitical Shifts in Asia

Author: The Diplomat December 30, 2025 Duration: 19:35

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.

Asia Geopolitics

Each week, Asia Geopolitics takes the headlines from across the vast Asia-Pacific region and unpacks the deeper strategic forces at play. Hosts Ankit Panda and Catherine Putz, drawing on their expertise from The Diplomat, steer these conversations beyond the surface of breaking news. They examine how a military exercise, an election result, or a diplomatic statement ripples through the regional order, affecting alliances, economies, and security. Regular guests join them to provide ground-level insight and diverse perspectives, making complex topics accessible. This isn't just a recap of events; it's a thoughtful analysis of the power dynamics shaping the continent's future. For anyone curious about the real stories behind the news from China, India, Japan, the Koreas, Southeast Asia, and beyond, this podcast offers essential context. Tune in for a clear-eyed and nuanced look at the forces defining the world's most consequential region.

Author: The Diplomat Language: English Episodes: 100

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