Foreign Policy Talks in 2025

When Foreign Policy Talks (FPT) began in 2020, it was a necessary response to a world in lockdown, a podcast later turned into an online discussion forum born from the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our core mission remained the same, to become a network of foreign policy enthusiasts, driving advanced international expertise and discourse on foreign affairs, by 2025, our capacity to execute it had grown exponentially. We expanded from a simple space for conversation into a structured ecosystem. The goal for this year was to take that original vision and scale it into a hub for the next generation of diplomats, analysts, and leaders.

This year defined itself by a commitment to tangible engagement. We moved beyond virtual discussions to establish a concrete and digital footprint. Our objective was to ensure that the foreign policy concepts we discuss are not just theoretical, but directly applicable to the real-world work of government, business and the people. We spent the year building the infrastructure required to sustain a long-term impact on the foreign policy discourse.

Foreign Policy Talks and AidData

In an era where policy discourse is often obscured by speculation, FPT prioritized a shift toward rigorous, data-driven methodology. Partnering with AidData, we undertook a comprehensive empirical assessment to move beyond rhetoric and establish hard evidence. The resulting report, "Balancing Risk and Reward: Who benefits from China's investments in Indonesia?," analyzed over two decades of investment data to quantify the scale and impact of foreign capital. This initiative underscored our commitment to substantive research, providing the policy community with a factual, non-partisan baseline to navigate complex economic realities.

IR for Business Academy

There is often a significant disconnect between the International Relations theory taught in universities and the practical skills required in the boardroom. We sought to address this gap through the second iteration of the IR for Business Academy. The "why" behind this program is simple yet vital: we want to ensure that students of international affairs are employable, adaptable, and ready to navigate the global business landscape. To achieve this, we made the strategic decision to hold the academy offline, supported by East Ventures.

We believed that true mentorship requires presence. The offline format allowed us to convene approximately 75 mentees and connect them directly with distinguished leaders, including the Founder of IDN, the leadership of the Indonesian Business Council, and the former Minister for Foreign Affairs. By exposing these insights, we demonstrated how geopolitical knowledge applies to business complexities. The result was a cohort of graduates equipped not just with academic knowledge, but with the practical tools needed to thrive in the private sector.

India-ASEAN Youth Conference

As the geopolitical center of gravity shifts, the relationship between ASEAN and India has become increasingly pivotal. We recognized that the youth of these regions would eventually inherit the stewardship of this partnership, yet few platforms existed for them to engage on hard security and strategic issues. This was the driving force behind the 2025 India-ASEAN Youth Conference, in collaboration with The Geostrata. We wanted to move beyond cultural exchange and foster a substantive dialogue on the "Act East" strategy and the multilateral era.

Building on the foundation laid in 2023, we convened delegates from both regions to explore contemporary dynamics. We focused on two critical sub-themes: the U.S.–ASEAN–India strategy under the Trump administration and the strategic engagements between China and ASEAN. A key result of this collaboration was the publication of a series of joint articles and op-eds, co-authored by youth delegates from both India and ASEAN member states. These publications addressed critical strategic convergence points, from maritime security to digital economy integration, effectively solidifying intellectual bridges between the two rising powers and demonstrating the capacity of youth-led diplomacy to contribute to serious policy literature.

Weekly Recap

To navigate the rapid velocity of global affairs, we maintained the Weekly Recap series as a consistent source of analytical clarity. Publishing over 39 editions this year, the initiative prioritized the synthesis of complex developments—from multilateral summits, regional crises, to world dynamics—over simple news reporting. This approach established a reliable rhythm for our network, ensuring that our deep-dive research was complemented by real-time situational awareness, effectively bridging the gap between breaking headlines and strategic understanding.

Foreign Policy Talks Website

Structuring all of Foreign Policy Talks initiatives required a central digital home. The official launch of the Foreign Policy Talks website was the capstone of our operational maturity. We designed this platform to be more than a landing page; it serves as an archive of our institutional memory. It consolidates our identity, bringing together years of events, activities, and initiatives into a single, navigable space.

The website acts as the digital anchor for our physical activities. It features our longstanding programs, our research and publications, while also showcasing newly launched programs and official merchandise. This platform ensures that our work is accessible to a global audience, preserving the discussions and research we produce for future reference.

Not To Judge Podcast

We observed that international issues are frequently reduced to sensationalist headlines and soundbites. To counter this, we launched "Not To Judge," hosted by Noto Suoneto, a podcast initiative designed to offer deeper, balanced conversations on the forces shaping global affairs. We wanted a space for slower, more nuanced dialogue where we could step back and examine the complexities behind global decisions, conflicts, and alliances.

In its inaugural year, the podcast featured prominent voices such as Norman Goh from Nikkei Asia and Kevin Zhongzhe Li from the Asia Society Policy Institute. These episodes prioritized depth over speed, allowing listeners to understand the "why" behind the news. The podcast serves as a counterbalance to the rapid-fire nature of modern media, providing our audience with the context needed to form their own informed opinions.

Opens Op-Ed Submissions

A healthy ecosystem requires diverse voices. We felt it was imperative to democratize the platform and challenge the notion that foreign policy belongs solely to established experts. This led to the introduction of the FPT Op-Ed program. We wanted to create a dedicated space for emerging writers, analysts, and thinkers to showcase their expertise and amplify their perspectives on international affairs.

Since opening the call for submissions, we have published numerous articles covering niche topics often overlooked by mainstream outlets. The result has been a diversification of the ideas represented on our platform. By valuing and appreciating these contributions, we have transformed our website from a broadcast channel into a collaborative forum where new ideas can flourish.

Beyond the Screen: Civil Society and High-Level Policy

Influence is not exerted in a vacuum. We made a conscious effort to navigate the full spectrum of foreign policy stakeholders, ensuring we were present where it mattered most. Our participation in the inaugural ASEAN for the Peoples Conference (AFPC) was a statement of our commitment to civil society. We wanted to understand how diplomatic policies impact communities on the ground, moving beyond the state-centric view to engage with regional NGOs and advocacy groups.

Simultaneously, we aligned ourselves with the strategic discourse through our attendance in the Conference on Indonesian Foreign Policy (CIFP). Furthermore, by supporting Binus International Relations Festival (BIRFEST) 2025 at BINUS University, we maintained a direct link to the undergraduate community. This spectrum of engagement, from student festivals to civil society forums to high-level summits, ensured that Foreign Policy Talks remained connected to every layer of the ecosystem.

Reflecting on 2025, our trajectory was defined by parallel expansion. We deepened our digital roots to ensure accessibility, while simultaneously establishing a physical presence to foster direct mentorship. This dual approach allowed us to bridge the gap between broad analysis and personal connection. It is a necessary balance, ensuring that Foreign Policy Talks meet the next generation exactly where they are, whether engaging through a screen or in the room.