Eyes on Asia
RFA
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A podcast where journalists from Southeast Asia and beyond share their insights on the week's news from the region. Radio Free Asia's Mat Pennington speaks with the network's reporters and local language broadcasters about their top stories and RFA exclusives.
Available episodes
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Aug 27, 2021
Will the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan revitalize terror groups in SE Asia?
Eyes on Asia looks at how the Taliban takeover could resonate beyond the borders of Afghanistan. National War College professor Zachary Abuza discusses how it might revitalize terror groups in Southeast Asia. And RFA Uyghur Service director Alim Seytoff speaks about how Uyghurs in Afghanistan are fearful of cooperation between China and a Taliban regime eager for its diplomatic recognition and investment. Featuring RFA journalists Mat Pennington and Paul Eckert.
https://www.benarnews.org/english/commentaries/asean-security-watch/taliban-abuza-08162021185452.html
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/afghanistan-uyghurs-08242021175318.html
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Aug 14, 2021
China and Vietnam duped by COVID misinformation
COVID misinformation has caused red faces in China and Vietnam this week. Eyes on Asia looks at how both nations were duped by fake news related to the pandemic that from the perspective of each government, proved too good to be true. Featuring RFA journalists Mat Pennington, Paul Eckert, Jane Tang and Son Nguyen.
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/virus-08112021102813.html
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/vietnam/khoa-08122021182805.html
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Aug 6, 2021
A lonely, independent voice on Camboida's news media ethics panel
The authoritarian Cambodian government is forming a commission to monitor a segment of the population that already have their backs against the wall -- journalists. Eyes on Asia speaks to Nop Vy, the executive director of CamboJA, a journalists' network. He will be a lone independent voice on this commission that is intended to scrutinize ethical standards in journalism but is stacked with government officials. And Rita Cheng of RFA's Mandarin Service speaks about the new Chinese ambassador to Washington. Could Qin Gang's appointment turn a new page in the fraught relationship between China and the United States? Featuring RFA journalists Paul Eckert and Mat Pennington.
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Jul 31, 2021
Two steps forward, 100 steps back in Myanmar
It has been six months since the Myanmar military’s Feb. 1 coup that all but erased democracy and human rights progress made in the country since 2011. RFA Myanmar journalist Kyaw Min Htun brings us up to date on how things are looking for journalists living under junta rule. Then Simon Billenness, Executive Director of the International Campaign for the Rohingya, draws on his 25 years of experience working on Myanmar issues to compare the current situation with the earlier military regime that imprisoned the country’s leader in the 1990s. With RFA journalists Paul Eckert and Eugene Whong.
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Jul 24, 2021
'Seditious' children's book censored in Hong Kong
Hong Kong arrested the publishers of a "seditious sheep" children's book in the latest sign of stultifying repression in a once vibrant city. RFA Cantonese journalist Carmen Wu (3:23) tells Eyes on Asia about deepening censorship and about the trend of people trying to leave Hong Kong or get their kids out to avoid political indoctrination.
Then RFA Vietnamese journalist Son Nguyen (14:50) discusses growing public frustration in Vietnam about over-zealous enforcement of anti-COVID measures and failures in the vaccination campaign. With RFA journalists Mat Pennington and Paul Eckert.
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Jul 17, 2021
US tightens the screw on China over Uyghur crackdown
In the six months since outgoing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a determination that China’s treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang met the definition of genocide, Washington has ramped up policies aimed at making China change course in the vast, troubled region -- restricting exports suspected of being made with Uyghur forced labor, blacklisting companies in the region, and pressing for UN and other international scrutiny on the Xinjing issue. What is the significance of this shift by the United States from symbolic statements of condemnation of China and support for Uyghurs to concrete actions? And what will come next? Eyes on Asia asks RFA Uyghur Service Director Alim Seytoff to explain the rapid succession of developments.
We also look at a COVID situation in Myanmar that is spiraling out of control. The health system was already in chaos because of unrest against military rule, and the junta has made matters worse by restricting oxygen supplies as the coronavirus spreads. RFA’s Mat Pennington speaks with a Yangon-based journalist about the deteriorating situation in Myanmar’s largest city.
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Jul 9, 2021
Could food shortages in North Korea Signal a Repeat of the 1990's Famine?
After a springtime of increasingly dire warnings of food shortages from UN officials and even leader Kim Jong Un himself, this month North Korea told work units and organizations at all levels in the country of 25 million to fend for themselves when it comes to food.
Further reports have emerged of rising hunger in the North Korean countryside -- at least partly the result of the closure of North Korea’s border with China in January 2020 to combat the spread of coronavirus. Paul Eckert and Eugene Whong will discuss the evolving crisis in a country that lost several million people to famine a quarter century ago.
And we look at the little-reported impact of the use of Agent Orange over Laos during the Vietnam War. RFA's Mat Pennington speaks with Susan Hammond of the War Legacies Project which has conducted pathfinding research that points to a high incidence of birth defects in villages that were sprayed with the toxic herbicide five decades ago.
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Jul 2, 2021
Behind the brutal interrogation of a journalist in Myanmar
Eyes on Asia interviews Nathan Maung, the editor-in-chief of Kamayut Media, who was detained for three months by Myanmar's junta. He recounts the brutal interrogation he faced, life inside prison and what the future holds for Myanmar, five months after the military coup. And we dissect the Chinese President Xi Jinping's bombastic speech at the Chinese Communist Party's centennial, where he railed against international critics. Featuring RFA journalists Paul Eckert, Mat Pennington and Rita Cheng.
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Jun 26, 2021
Hong Kong mourns loss of “old friend” Apple Daily
Hong Kong's feisty Apple Daily newspaper printed its last copy on June 24. The 26-year-old pro-democracy tabloid is the latest victim to an ever-broadening crackdown on public criticism of the government under a draconian national security law imposed on Hong Kong by the ruling Chinese Communist Party a year ago.
And we examine growing criticism of Vietnam as the government struggles to vaccinate its 95 million citizens. After receiving praise for its handling of the pandemic, the country's pace of vaccination has fallen behind even poorer nations in the region.
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Jun 19, 2021
Gambling magnate on the run from China, prospers in Cambodia
Eyes on Asia speaks with Jack Davies, principal author of a new RFA investigation into Chinese tycoon who was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison in China for running a huge, illicit gambling ring, and has relocated to Cambodia. The tycoon, Xu Aimin, has not only eluded arrest but he’s built a new business empire in Cambodia, including a casino in Sihanoukville that caters to a Chinese clientele. And RFA Mandarin's Jane Tang analyzes the outcomes of President Joe Biden's recent visit to the UK and Europe, where the G-7 group of industrialized nations and NATO took a strongly critical stance toward China. Presented by RFA journalists Paul Eckert and Mat Pennington.
For more on these topics:
http://bit.ly/G7Taiwan
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Jun 12, 2021
Evidence builds of China's atrocities against Uyghurs
A top Uyghur advocate assesses a people's tribunal held in London in early June that has exposed mounting evidence that a genocide is underway in the Chinese region of Xinjiang. Eyes on Asia interviews Nury Turkel, a lawyer and commissioner on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.
And RFA Burmese senior editor Kyaw Min Htun discusses the mounting humanitarian crisis in Myanmar as fighting between anti-coup and junta forces spreads. Presented by RFA journalists Mat Pennington and Paul Eckert.
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Jun 5, 2021
An elected lawmaker's escape from Hong Kong
Deposed Hong Kong lawmaker Sixtus "Baggio" Leung Chung-hang talks to Eyes on Asia about why he had to flee to America as the plight of pro-democrats worsens under China's grip. And Cambodia is coming clean, kind of, about inviting China to build a naval base on its soil. RFA Khmer reporter Keo Sovannarith discusses his recent interview with Cambodia's defense minister and a high-level U.S. diplomatic visit to Phnom Penh. Presented by RFA journalists Mat Pennington and Paul Eckert.
For more on these topics:
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/hongkong-tiananmen-06042021142631.html
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/hongkong-tiananmen-06042021091730.html
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/usa-sherman-06012021064117.html
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/diplomat-06022021185123.html
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May 28, 2021
Death on the plantation in Laos
Eyes on Asia looks at whether pesticide use to cultivate bananas for export to China led to the death of two farm laborers in Laos. And in Washington, Biden met Moon to talk about Kim. We ask if President Joe Biden, who recently met with his South Korean counterpart, has a hope in dealing with North Korea’s nukes. Featuring RFA journalists Paul Eckert, Mat Pennington, Max Avary and Soyoung Kim.
For more on these topics:
http://bit.ly/laoplantationdeath
http://bit.ly/bidenmoon
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May 22, 2021
The pandemic arrives in Taiwan
COVID-19 has reared its ugly head in Taiwan, the latest front in the global pandemic. Taiwan beat the virus back in 2020 but faces a sterner test in 2021 with a worrying spike in infections. Eyes on Asia interviews RFA's Min Mitchell from quarantine in Taipei about how the island is responding to the health crisis.
And in Yangon, there are bomb attacks and queues for cash. We speak to local journalists about how daily life has changed in Myanmar's biggest city since the military coup. Presented by RFA's Mat Pennington and Paul Eckert.
For more on these topics:
http://bit.ly/TWCOVIDalert
http://bit.ly/MYCoup100Days
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May 15, 2021
China's troll army on march in Southeast Asia
Jane Tang of RFA’s Mandarin Service tells Eyes on Asia how fake news with anti-U.S. themes is circulated by China’s troll army and Chinese Communist Party-linked accounts on social media to overseas Chinese communities in countries such as Thailand, while China’s state media spread Beijing-friendly content across Asia.
And Giang Nguyen of RFA Vietnamese discusses the perils of standing as a truly independent candidate in the elections for Vietnam’s rubber stamp parliament that take place May 23. Presented by RFA’s Mat Pennington and Paul Eckert.
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May 8, 2021
Cambodia's assault on Mother Nature
Cambodia is locking up environmentalists. Eyes on Asia interviews Alex Gonzalez-Davidson, the leader of Mother Nature, a green group under judicial assault for peaceful activism after five of its campaigners were convicted of "incitement to cause social chaos" and sentenced to prison terms.
And as China tightens its vise on Hong Kong and restricts basic freedoms, we discuss the impact on the territory's news media. Featuring RFA journalists Paul Eckert, Mat Pennington and Carmen Wu.
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May 2, 2021
The officers who defected from Myanmar's military
Are officers in Myanmar's military breaking ranks? Eyes on Asia looks at the men who defected from the military to protest the Feb. 1 coup and its violent aftermath. And we discuss the impact of North Korea's closure of its border with China to contain COVID-19. Now there are signs it is reopening. With RFA journalists Paul Eckert, Mat Pennington, Kyaw Min Htun and Eugene Whong.
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Apr 24, 2021
How China uses foreign tech to control the South China Sea
China is acquiring foreign technology, including from U.S. companies, that could help it assert its sweeping claims in the disputed South China Sea. Eyes on Asia interviews the RFA reporter who broke the story. And we review the recent Tibetan elections for the chief of its government-in-exile. Featuring RFA journalists Mat Pennington, Paul Eckert, Zachary Haver and Kalden Lodoe.
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Apr 16, 2021
China smears RFA Uyghur reporter
In Beijing's latest propaganda offensive against exiled Uyghurs, China's foreign ministry smeared an RFA journalist who has reported on mass detentions and whose family has been caught in the dragnet. RFA vice president of communications and external relations, Rohit Mahajan, speaks to Eyes on Asia about the targeting of RFA journalists. We also examine the worsening COVID-19 situation in Cambodia, and Hun Sen's repressive efforts to contain the virus. Featuring RFA journalists Mat Pennington, Paul Eckert and Vuthy Huot.
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Apr 10, 2021
North Korea sets missiles, skips Olympics
After a relatively quiet year under quarantine, North Korea has lashed out with new missile tests. We discuss the North's predictable provocation to greet the Biden administration and its recent decision to skip the Tokyo Olympics, closing off a possible avenue for renewed diplomacy. And we examine the growing nepotism of the ruling elite in Laos, where two top families have just bagged seven Cabinet seats. With RFA journalists Mat Pennington, Paul Eckert, Soyoung Kim and Ounkeo Souksavanh.
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Apr 3, 2021
Uyghurs' plight inspires, sanctions, counter-sanctions and boycotts
China’s treatment of the Uyghurs of Xinjiang draws sanctions, which prompt retaliation and a consumer boycott from Beijing. Eyes on Asia this week examines the fallout. And in the South China Sea, we look at two ships — one from the China Coast Guard (CCG), the other from Vietnam — maneuvering and shadowing each other in the South China Sea for weeks, vying for position near the disputed Paracel Islands.
With RFA journalists Paul Eckert, Giang Nguyen, Alim Seytoff and Zach Haver.
More on "A Dangerous Dance" in the South China Sea: https://bit.ly/dangerousdance
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Mar 27, 2021
Is "Wolf Warrior" diplomacy backfiring for China?
China’s “Wolf Warrior” diplomats have discarded the usual diplomatic tools in favor of slinging bombastic insults. Eyes on Asia this week examines how the hyper-nationalism is playing internationally. And in Vietnam, RFA looks at the disturbing case of a dissident who has been transferred to a mental health institution for refusing to speak to his interrogators. With RFA journalists Mat Pennington, Paul Eckert, Rita Cheng and Giang Nguyen.
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Mar 20, 2021
Martial law grips Yangon and a veteran journalist returns to Taipei
Eyes on Asia digs into life under martial law in Yangon, as the military resorts to shocking brutality to quell protests against Myanmar's military coup. And RFA's Mandarin Service chief reflects on a visit to her native Taiwan, which faces political interference, fake news campaigns and military threats from China. With RFA journalists Mat Pennington, Paul Eckert, Kyaw Min Htun and Nadia Tsao.
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Mar 13, 2021
Musical opposition to Cambodia's Hun Sen and China's crackdown hits home for Uyghur journalist
On Eyes on Asia this week, we take a musical journey with Cambodian refugees who are using songs to voice dissent against Prime Minister Hun Sen. And an RFA Uyghur journalist reflects on the origins and impact of China's crackdown that has transformed his own life and led to the detention of close relatives in Xinjiang. Featuring RFA journalists Mat Pennington, Paul Eckert, Vuthy Huot and Eset Sulaiman.
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Mar 6, 2021
Turmoil in Yangon and court drama in Hong Kong
We look at what life is like in Yangon after the bloodiest week since Myanmar's military coup. And in Hong Kong, we follow the court drama as 47 pro-democrat activists are charged with consipiracy as Beijing tightens its grip over the territory. Features RFA journalists Mat Pennington, Min Mitchell, Kaman Lau and an RFA Burmese service reporter in Myanmar.
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Feb 27, 2021
The big brother that Myanmar's military doesn't trust -- China
We look at the complex relationship between China and Myanmar in the aftermath of Myanmar's military coup. And we examine the recent national election in the one-party state of Laos, and why it's not quite as boring as it seems. Featuring RFA journalists Mat Pennington, Paul Eckert, Min Mitchell and Ounkeo Souksavanh.
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Feb 20, 2021
Speaking to truth to power in Myanmar and the death of a prisoner in Tibet
Myanmar's military held its first news conference since the coup. "Eyes on Asia" speaks to the Radio Free Asia reporter who put the junta's spokesman on the spot. And we discuss the death of a political prisoner in Tibet who was a source of information to the outside world. Featuring RFA journalists Mat Pennington, Paul Eckert, Aye Aye Mon and Kalden Lodoe.
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Feb 13, 2021
Myanmar's coup draws blood and China calls time on Clubhouse
The shooting of a young woman during protests has deepened anger at Myanmar's coup leaders. In "Eyes on Asia" this week we discuss the downward direction of the crisis since the military took power two weeks ago, amid fears of growing violence and a prolonged Internet blackout. We also look at Clubhouse, the online forum that briefly enabled free debate among Chinese-speakers and spooked Beijing. Featuring RFA journalists Mat Pennington, Paul Eckert, Kyaw Min Htun and Yun Wang.
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Feb 6, 2021
Burmese oppose military coup with pots, pans and VPNs
Eyes On Asia focuses this week on Myanmar and how its people are using pots, pans and VPN apps to wage civil disobedience against a military coup. We also look at how Myanmar's neighbors are reacting to this crisis for democracy on their doorstep. Featuring RFA journalists Mat Pennington, Paul Eckert and Kyaw Min Htun, and Kate Beddall from BenarNews.
This podcast was recorded Feb. 5. The next day, Myanmar cut internet and phone access, escalating the crisis.
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Feb 1, 2021
Military coup in Myanmar and economic crisis in North Korea.
Myanmar's military has seized power in a coup, upending the country's transition to democracy. In "Eyes on Asia" this week, we learn the latest from RFA Burmese Service. We also look at the latest moves by Kim Jong Un as North Korea faces an economic crisis and a new U.S. administration. Featuring RFA journalists Mat Pennington, Paul Eckert, Kyaw Min Htun and Hee Jung Yang.
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Jan 25, 2021
US declares China committed genocide against Uyghurs and Vietnam's Communist Party Congress
The United States has declared that China committed genocide against minority Uyghurs. Radio Free Asia journalists discuss that historic decision and look ahead to a Communist Party Congress in Vietnam. With RFA's Mat Pennington, Paul Eckert, Alim Seytoff, and Viet Ha.
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Jan 19, 2021
China state media revels in turmoil on Capitol Hill, and Laos anoints new party leaders
RFA journalists discuss how China's state media covered the Jan. 6 tumult on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. They also examine leadership changes arising from the communist party congress in Laos. Featuring Mat Pennington, Paul Eckert, Jane Tang and Ounkeo Souksavanh.
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Jan 11, 2021
Mass arrests in Hong Kong and independent journalists imprisoned in Vietnam
In this episode of Eyes on Asia, RFA journalists discuss fears for the future of free speech in Hong Kong after mass arrests of opposition and rights campaigners, and the intensifying crackdown on dissent in Vietnam ahead of a Communist Party congress. The podcast is presented by RFA's Mat Pennington and Paul Eckert, with Cantonese broadcaster Carmen Wu and Vietnamese broadcaster Giang Nguyen.
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Dec 21, 2020
Reporting on a military rape case in Myanmar and a public execution in North Korea
In a rare case of Myanmar's military punishing its own, three soldiers were sentenced this month to 20 years in prison for rape. Kyaw Min Htun explains how RFA Burmese reported on that crime in the face of initial denials by the military. And Eugene Whong discusses an exclusive report about a North Korea fisherman who was executed for tuning into RFA news broadcasts. The podcast hosts are RFA's Mat Pennington and Paul Eckert.
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Dec 18, 2020
Cambodia's Friday Wives And Laos' Murky Legal System
To mark International Human Rights Day, Vuthy Huot of RFA's Khmer Service speaks about a group of Cambodian women demanding the release of their activist husbands. And Ounkeo Souksavanh of RFA Lao discusses his reporting on villagers held over a land dispute in southern Laos and the case of social activist Sombath Somphone who was snatched off a Vientiane street eight years ago and hasn't been seen since. The host is RFA's managing director for Southeast Asia, Mat Pennington.
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Dec 18, 2020
Prospects For Peace In Myanmar's Conflict - Hit Rakhine State
Guns have fallen silent after two years of bitter fighting in western Myanmar. Radio Free Asia's Mat Pennington and RFA Burmese senior editor Kyaw Min Htun discuss the prospects for peace in conflict-hit Rakhine State in the aftermath of recent national elections. Also, RFA Vietnamese’s Giang Nguyen describes the plight of independent journalists in Vietnam amid a growing crackdown on free expression ahead of next January's Communist Party Congress.
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