The Tea Leaves Podcast
The Asia Group's Rexon Ryu and Tiffany Ma break down the Indo-Pacific through revealing interviews with policymakers, business leaders, journalists, and artists from the world's most dynamic and consequential region. Previous guests include Dr. Anthony Fauci, former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA), and Washington Post Asia editor Ana Fifield.
The Tea Leaves Podcast
Building the Indo-Pacific’s Defense Future: Innovation, Industry, and Alliances with Kelly Magsamen
In this episode of Tea Leaves, Rexon and Mira sit down with Kelly Magsamen, former Chief of Staff to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and newly appointed Senior Advisor at The Asia Group, to introduce the Indo-Pacific Defense Incubator (IPDI). Drawing on her decades of experience in the Pentagon, NSC, and State Department, Kelly unpacks the evolving landscape of defense innovation, industrial cooperation, and allied technology partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. The three discuss how the U.S. and its allies can scale next-generation defense capabilities, the role of private capital and disruptor firms, and the strategic challenges posed by China’s rapid advances. Kelly also offers insights on what defense industry leaders and companies should watch as the Trump administration recalibrates its Indo-Pacific security priorities.
