“Thanks for making Southeast Asian history interesting and easy to digest. I have a better appreciation for the history, it’s geopolitical situation today, and how a nation’s memory of the past affects its decisions today in trade and politics. I especially appreciate your efforts in clearing up self serving version of history that we grew up hearing and learning. Asia didn’t need to be discovered by the West, Becos it was already there and had advanced societies, art and culture that rivaled Europe’s. Far from being backwards, SEA has gone thru a long history of migration and evolution, it’s peoples and culture intertwined. And one cannot understand todays geopolitics without understanding the past. Thanks Charles for sharing your knowledge and research so generously and honestly. I hope more people listen to your podcast to better understand our region and how our various cultures intertwine. And instead of glorifying what foreign powers are doing in our region, understand why our history gives us pause of “nice entreaties”, and take a balanced view of what’s playing out. SEA nations have obviously gone down this path before from the 14th century to the 20th, and do not want a repeat of history in the 21st century. Great stuff and keep it coming. Will do my part to keep the lights on.”
bimmerhead2000 via Apple Podcasts ·
Singapore ·
01/21/22