In this episode of Tank Talks Asia, Manisha Tank is joined by Dr Samir Puri, author of “Westlessness”, and Joel Ng, editor of “The Dragon’s Emerging Order” to discuss whether the era of western dominance is coming to an end and, if so, what replaces it?

Their conversation covers everything from Mark Carney’s headline-making Davos speech and the global impact of Donald Trump’s presidency, to China’s multilateral rise, the conflict in Ukraine, and the future of the UN.

Featured Voices

Host: Manisha Tank

Guests: Samir Puri, Inaugural Director, Centre for Global Governance and Security, Chatham House, Author and Former UK Diplomat

Joel Ng, Senior Fellow and Head of Centre for Multilateralism Studies, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

02:01

A Defining Speech at Davos

Samir and Joel discuss how Mark Carney’s address at the World Economic Forum signalled a reset in global alignments and even echoed historic moments from the past.

05:50

Hedging as a Viable Strategy

Samir believes that Asian multi-alignment is becoming a model for western powers navigating US-China rivalry.

07:10

China’s Multilateral Architecture

Joel explains how Beijing has been building platforms, partnerships and institutional influence for decades.

08:12

Who Polices the World Now?

Samir and Joel give their views on the limits of American security guarantees and the rise of regional responsibility.

11:50

Ukraine and the Limits of Idealism

Samir says he thinks the war in Ukraine may end in pragmatic compromise rather than total victory.

17:11

Is the UN Still Fit for Purpose?

Samir and Joel debate what role the UN still has to play in a world of great power rivalry.

20:03

Climate in the Shadows

They discuss how the green agenda risks being buried and explore the potential for greater collaboration between China and Europe.

23:25

Looking to the Future

Samir and Joel weigh in on where multilateralism might be headed and why there are reasons to stay optimistic.

Useful links

https://www.samirpuri.com/

In this episode of Tank Talks Asia, Manisha Tank sits down with economist, author, and travel writer, Razeen Sally. Razeen shares his insights on the rise of Asia and the challenges of leadership in the modern world.

Razeen also talks about how he views Buddhism as both a unifying and evolving force across the continent. And he reflects on his own Buddhist journey, which includes an epic 42-day silent Vipassana meditation retreat.

Featured Voices

Host: Manisha Tank

Guest: Razeen Sally, Economist and Author

1. Razeen talks about how the rise of Asia is helping to reshape politics, economics, and culture, but he says that while this rapid modernization brings opportunities, it also comes with spiritual costs.
2. He believes youth-led uprisings in Asia often reflect frustrations with the elites and the uneven distribution of economic opportunity.
3. Razeen says social media amplifies biases and creates political vacuums that can be filled by populist or inexperienced leaders.
4. He discusses how Buddhism has historically acted as a unifying force in Asia, but says that today it is fragmented, politicized, and can be tied to nationalistic agendas.
5. Razeen believes that some reform within Buddhist societies could make the tradition more relevant to the 21st century.

00:30

Who is Razeen Sally?

Manisha introduces Razeen, highlighting his global expertize, travel writing, and how he splits his time between Sri Lanka and Wales.

03:05

Politics Shaped by Childhood

Razeen shares a formative experience he had as a child, which sparked his lifelong interest in politics, current affairs, and understanding the world.

04:43

Losing and Finding Faith

He talks about losing his faith in university, but later rediscovering the importance of spirituality.

05:25

Why Gen Z is Rising in Asia

Razeen discusses the Gen Z protests in Asia, the impact of modernization, and the challenges of trying to break elites.

07:05

Social Media: Power or Problem?

He says social media can both inform and polarize, and highlights the influence it can have on populist movements.

09:28

Can Leaders Be Trusted?

Razeen shares his take on leadership, and why he believes politics and businesses often fall short in both the East and West.

14:45

Buddhism’s Journey Across Asia

He explains the historical and cultural evolution of Buddhism, from its origins in India to its spread across Asia and the West.

18:00

Buddhism in China

Razeen examines the revival of Buddhism in China and the role he believes religion can play in maintaining social and political stability.

21:40

A Unifying Path?

He discusses Buddhism’s historical role in uniting Asian empires, but says that today it is often fragmented and divided.

25:10

Modern Life Meets Ancient...

In this episode of Tank Talks Asia, Manisha Tank talks to award-winning Pakistani American multidisciplinary artist, Anila Quayyum Agha, about how art has the power to shape identity and create empathy across cultures.

Anila traces her journey, from growing up in Pakistan to carving out a path in the US art world, reflecting on her iconic installations, the obstacles she has navigated along the way and why she believes the arts are key to a more humane future.

Featured Voices

Host: Manisha Tank

Guest: Anila Quayyum Agha, Award-winning Artist

1. Anila believes that art actively creates and shapes how we see ourselves and each other.
2. She says cultural identity shouldn’t be diluted to fit Euro-Western artistic frameworks.
3. Anila firmly believes that craft and labor-intensive practices, often associated with women, deserve the same recognition as fine art.
4. She sees the arts and humanities as essential to building empathy and critical thinking in society.

00:30

The Foundation of Civilization?

Manisha introduces Anila by reflecting on how art defines humanity, memory, and shared meaning across generations.

02:03

Threads of Identity

Anila reflects on the key concepts that have shaped her work over the past three decades.

03:38

Identity, Culture and Refusing to Criticize Home

She discusses how she resisted pressure to disparage her own culture and focused on creating work that’s inclusive.

05:03

The Iconic Cube Installation

She explains how her award-winning cube installations explore light, space and movement, and also involve the audience.

09:13

Expectation and Expression

Anila talks about being a young woman in Pakistan and how she had to navigate cultural expectations as she worked to discover her artistic voice.

11:08

Craft Versus Fine Art

Anila challenges thinking that devalues craft, textiles and feminine labor within the art world.

11:53

Staying True to Herself

She says she has worked hard as a multidisciplinary artist to remain honest to herself, and varies her materials depending on the message she is trying to convey.

16:49

Inequality in the Art World

Anila talks about inequalities in the arts and explains why she believes that, without intervention, real equality may take centuries to achieve.

20:21

Color as Culture and Survival

She says she uses bold colors to express her culture and to rebel against muted Western aesthetics.

23:12

Why the Arts Make Us Human

Anila urges young people to embrace the arts to cultivate empathy, problem-solving and humanity.

Useful links

https://www.anilaagha.com/news

https://www.sundaramtagore.com/exhibitions/anila-quayyum-agha