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

<p>South-east Asia is key to Australia’s long-term economic and strategic stability, nurturing those relationships is critical to mutual security and stability.<br /> <br /> 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.<br /> <br /> 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.<br /> <br /> 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.<br /> <br /> 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.<br /> <br /> Enjoy the podcast,<br /> <br /> The Defence Connect team</p>