A Closer Look delivers time-tested quick but deep dives into countries and topics that matter, with leading, on-the-ground voices.

With webcasts, podcasts, Executive Roundtables, and other content on a central topic, each iteration of A Closer Look is your go-to for a solid overview on issues playing out in Asia, and affecting us all.

See most recent editions below, on the growing importance of batteries, both as source of power and of geopolitical tensions, and on the 2024 presidential elections in Indonesia. Or dive into the rich archive of country-themed episodes.

A CLOSER LOOK AT BATTERIES

Batteries increasingly power everything around us. All thanks to major innovations and a supply chain that spans the world. And that’s where things get complicated.

Critical raw materials required for batteries are not evenly distributed worldwide. Asia, notably China, plays a crucial role in the lithium-ion battery supply chain, encompassing everything from mining to manufacturing to innovation.

Meanwhile, with the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, the U.S. is enhancing its capacities in securing minerals and expanding domestic production. Europe, despite its resource limitations, leads in innovation and electrification, driven by stringent environmental policies.

As battery costs sink and technology advances, nations increasingly view battery technology as vital for national security and economic competitiveness. This transition is shaping new geopolitical relationships and, with that, creating opportunity for new dependencies and conflicts.

In this edition of A Closer Look, recorded on July 9, 2024 and moderated by Asia Society Switzerland's Remko Tanis, explore Asia's driving role in battery production and innovation, plus the broader impact this has on global trade, geopolitics, and sustainability. Available as webcast and as a part of our STATE OF ASIA podcast. Find more information on experts Marina Yue Zhang and Duo Fu here.

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A CLOSER LOOK: INDONESIA AFTER JOKOWI

Jokowi's approval rating hit a stratospheric 76% in December 2023, just weeks before presidential elections. Indonesians praise his domestic policies, like massive investments in infrastructure and social assistance programs. And though NGOs are saying the civic space in the country is shrinking because of repressive measures, this doesn't seem to concern most of the 275 million Indonesians.

On the world stage, Widodo’s legacy is a mixed bag. He has shown little interest in foreign affairs, frustrated that great power rivalries are dragging down his number one priority: economic progress. One of his biggest economic successes is the export ban on raw nickel, of which Indonesia has more than any other country. It put the country in the crosshairs of Europe, which has been trying to negotiate a free trade deal with Jakarta since 2016. Indonesia and Switzerland have a free trade agreement in effect since November 2021.

What is Jokowi’s legacy after ten years in power, as he prepares to hand over to the winner of the elections, Prabowo Subianto, in October 2024? Hear directly from Jakarta, with experts Yosifebi Ramadhani, who is involved with digital platforms informing young Indonesians –the majority of the electorate– on their country's politics; Fakhridho Susilo, who helps connect investors to the right people in the Indonesian government; and Gita Damayana, an expert on democratization and legal reform in Indonesia. The conversation, recorded on February 20, 2024, is moderated by Remko Tanis, Programs and Editorial Manager at Asia Society Switzerland.

Watch the video below to find out more, and learn about the speakers here.

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In a special episode of our STATE OF ASIA podcast, hear Nimas Mega Purnamasari and Yoes C Kenawas in conversation with Remko Tanis about Jokowi's legacy, life on Bali, political dynasties in Indonesia, and why stand-up comedians in the country rather talk about the fictitious country of Wakanda than about Indonesia. More about the speakers here.