Will North Korea and China rethink their weapons programme after the US-Israeli attacks on Iran?

Pyongyang has come under pressure from the US in recent years over its nuclear stance and China, experts believe, is expanding its arsenal.

The US and Israel’s attacks on Iran are partly aimed at destroying Tehran’s nuclear weapons capability. We discuss what could be the potential impact on future nuclear strategy in the Asia region. Host Mariko Oi is joined by Dr Zhao Tong from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Wall Street Journal reporter Dasl Yoon in South Korea.

Asia Specific brings you Asia Pacific stories unpacked by those who know it best. Expect essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends.

Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people.

Whether it is the latest on trade between the US and China, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we find out what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter.

Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Episodes of Asia Specific are also available on YouTube, here: https://bit.ly/4iJyeVt

Get in touch: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk

The superpowers of US and China are taking starkly different directions on cryptocurrency trading. So, what is behind this and what does it mean for the future of crypto?

The US under President Donald Trump positions itself as a pro-crypto hub to foster innovation. China under President Xi Jinping has imposed a strict ban on domestic trading and mining of digital currency since 2019. Because of that crackdown, China now controls significant Bitcoin reserves following the government seizure of illegally mined and traded digital tokens. But a crypto-trading ban doesn’t mean China is opposed to embracing blockchain, the core technology that enables cryptocurrency.

In this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi is joined by Sam Reynolds, a senior reporter at CoinDesk, a cryptocurrency media outlet, and Angela Ang, the head of policy and strategic partnerships at TRM Labs, a blockchain intelligence company.

Asia Specific brings you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the Asia Pacific region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends. Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people.

Whether it is the latest on trade between China and Donald Trump, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy - we unpack what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter.

Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Get in touch: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk

China’s growth is slowing as the US-Israel war with Iran jolts the world economy and oil prices spike.

Once seen as the growth engine of Asia and the world, China is now trying to shield its giant economy from external shocks, this year setting its lowest economic growth target in more than three decades.

Can China’s leaders build a more self-reliant economy? And is it still on track to overtake the United States?

Host Mariko Oi is joined by BBC China correspondent Laura Bicker and Asia Business correspondent Suranjana Tewari to discuss how the war involving the US, Israel, and Iran could affect China's economy and whether the world's second-largest economy is still on track to overtake the US in the coming decades.

Asia Specific - Asia Pacific stories unpacked by those who know them best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on what’s shaping the region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends.

Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people.

Whether it is the latest on trade between the US and China, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we find out what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter.

Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Episodes of Asia Specific are also available on YouTube, here: https://bit.ly/4iJyeVt

Get in touch: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk