INSIGHT: Australia, Indonesia and the opportunities of south-east Asia – Ben Bland, director, Southeast Asia Program, Lowy Institute

South-east Asia is key to Australia’s long-term economic and strategic stability, nurturing those relationships is critical to mutual security and stability. On this episode of the Defence Connect: Insight podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Ben Bland, director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Lowy Institute, where the pair discuss the transformation of south-east Asia since the end of the Cold War and Australia’s place in it. The pair cover the growing importance of the Australia-Indonesia relationship as both nations navigate the defining factor of economic and strategic security in the region: the US-China relationship. Bland discusses his experience on the ground in Indonesia and the challenges facing Indonesia’s long-term development in the coming decades, as well as the immense opportunities available to Australia in supporting the development of Indonesia. Finally, they talk about the response of south-east Asia to growing tensions in the South China Sea, the historic rivalries shaping the regional dynamics and the ramifications of rising tensions between mainland China and Taiwan. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team