Episode 4.18: Pragmatic Flexibility in the Indo Pacific with Dr. Kai Ostwald

Welcome to a new episode of Battle Rhythm with Dr. Steve Saideman and Dr. Linna Tam-Seto (Assistant Professor Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy within the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto). Steve and Linna discuss CAF setting its sights on recruiting gamers and the implication on culture change efforts; Pride Winnipeg has banned military personnel from marching in uniform in this year’s parade despite post-Purge gains for CAF members; and how the US war on Iran is exacerbating a long-term global hunger crisis. In today’s feature interview, Steve speaks with Dr. Kai Ostwald on the challenges Canada faces in pursuing its Indo Pacific Strategy including capacity, timing and perceptions. Kai Ostwald is the HSBC Chair in Asian Research and an Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia, jointly appointed in the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs and the Department of Political Science. He also serves as Director of UBC’s Institute of Asian Research and Associate Editor for Pacific Affairs. His work focuses on political economy, governance, and development in Southeast Asia, with a particular emphasis on democratization, geopolitics, and Canada’s engagement with the Indo-Pacific. Kai connects academic research with real-world policy challenges, working closely with practitioners across governments, international organizations, and think tanks. He regularly participates in Track 1.5 and Track 2 diplomatic dialogues, contributing to discussions on geopolitics and regional cooperation. He has testified before Canadian parliamentary special committees and has delivered training sessions and briefings to Global Affairs Canada, the US State Department, and the Canadian Forces College on regional geopolitics and governance. Kai is a Senior Fellow at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, an Associate Senior Fellow at Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, and a Distinguished Fellow at the Penang Institute in Malaysia. He has also conducted consulting work with organizations including the International Development Research Centre, the World Bank, and the Canada-ASEAN Business Council, among others. His research and policy commentary have been featured in leading academic journals such as the American Political Science Review, Democratization, Canadian Foreign Policy Journal, Political Science Research and Methods, Journal of East Asian Studies, and Asian Survey. His insights have also appeared in major media outlets, including The Atlantic, Bloomberg, CBC, Nikkei Asian Review, Globe and Mail, The Guardian, and the South China Morning Post. Kai Ostwald: Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy requires rethinking ‘like-mindedness’: https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/03/29/canadas-indo-pacific-strategy-requires-rethinking-like-mindedness/ Nathan Chizen · CBC Arts: What tactics are the Canadian Armed Forces using to recruit gamers? Rosanna Hempel · CBC News: Pride Winnipeg’s decision to ban military uniforms in parade draws criticism, support Edna Mohamed -Al Jazeera: US-Iran war pushing millions into food crisis, warns UN