In this conversation, Dr. Tomohiko Taniguchi, former special advisor to the late Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, discusses the implications of Japan's first woman prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, her relationship with Shinzo Abe, and the challenges she faces in a changing global landscape. The discussion covers Japan's security needs, economic vision, and the significance of female leadership in a traditionally male-dominated political environment. Taniguchi emphasises the importance of military spending, economic growth, and the need for Japan to adapt to new technological advancements while maintaining strong international alliances, particularly with the United States and India. Taniguchi has been a longtime friend, advisor and associate of the now Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and he says that the leader, who famously sleeps for only a couple of hours a night, and takes care of her ailing husband in most of her spare time, could well be the leader Japan desperately needs. The new prime minister's biggest challenge will be China, says Taniguchi, which throws daily provocations in Japanese waters, and Takaichi, who was once a heavy metal drummer, must recraft deeper relationships across the Indo-Pacific to take on the Chinese navy. He also says that Japan's new prime minister takes her cues from Shinzo Abe, in many ways her mentor figure, and would look to build even deeper ties with India. Chapters - 0:00-0:49 Introduction 1:03-3:24 Japan’s first woman Prime Minister: the leader the country needed? 4:14-6:27 The Abe legacy: will Japan’s new Prime Minister inherit his vision? 7:00-9:03 Rising tensions in East Asia: Inside China’s provocations towards Japan 9:31-11:09 While the world watches Ukraine and Gaza: what about the Indo-Pacific? 11:53-14:10 How Japan plans to strengthen its military power 14:41-16:53 Japan’s Iron Lady in the making? 17:19-19:35 A personal glimpse into Prime Minister Takaichi 20:24-22:59 What's next for Japan’s economy? 23:45-25:48 Stability, growth and political turmoil: Takaichi’s economic challenge 26:12-28:04 Why Japan’s first woman Prime Minister matters 29:04-31:13 Legacy vs Innovation: How Japan plans its next economic leap 31:51-33:32 Japan at a strategic crossroads amid global uncertainty 33:38-34:44 Conclusion #japan #economy #news #foreignaffairs #interview #share #viralvideo #shinzoabe #technology #sanaetakaichi #indopacificregion #china #india

In this new interview, Hindol Sengupta speaks with historian Danny Orbach about competing perspectives on the humanitarian crises unfolding in Gaza as a result of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Danny Orbach offers a counterargument to the allegations of genocide in Gaza perpetrated by the Israeli forces. The discussion emphasizes why these issues are particularly critical at this moment, outlining the geopolitical and humanitarian stakes involved. They delve further into how food supplies have been disrupted, the complexities surrounding Hamas’s alleged use of human shields, and the broader implications for the conflict’s trajectory. Link to Danny Orbach's research paper - https://besacenter.org/debunking-the-genocide-allegationsa-reexamination-of-the-israel-hamas-war-2023-2025/ Chapters 00:00 - 02:42 - Opening 02:43 - 06:17 - Counterargument to Genocide claims in Gaza 06:18 - 13:40 - Why is it important at this juncture? 13:41 - 20:15 - How were the food supplies disrupted? 20:16 - 26:29 - Hamas's use of human shields 26:30 - 28:39 - How will this pan out in the future? 28:40 - 29:23 - Closing #Israel #gaza #israelpalestine #gazawar #foreignaffairs #globalaffairs #globalorder #interview #globalorderinterview

Makarand Paranjape highlights India’s pivotal role as the world’s largest democracy, describing it as the linchpin of a global “arc of democracy.” He emphasises the need for stronger India–US ties as two democracies, cautioning against divisive rhetoric and one-upmanship that can undermine this partnership. Watch the full interview here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXCVyBg19ZY

Makarand Paranjape critiques India’s historically sentimental foreign policy, noting a recent shift toward realism under the Modi doctrine. He argues that India must balance its role as a moral upholder of dharma, ahimsa, peaceful coexistence, vasudhaiva kutumbakam, with being a pragmatic regional power developing and exporting arms. As he stresses in his book, both dimensions are essential for India’s way forward. Watch the full interview here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXCVyBg19ZY

Makarand Paranjape highlights India’s rich cultural diversity, its art, music, poetry, and aesthetics and argues that India’s rise should project an attractive model to the world. He suggests that true Swaraj embodies an “aesthetics of power,” where strength is expressed through restraint and gentleness. Watch the full interview here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXCVyBg19ZY