Until last week, it was one of the government's most closely guarded secrets. Only about ten people in Britain had been privy to the details.

And then – out of the blue – the UK, the US and Australia unveiled a new strategic alliance. The deal promises nuclear-powered submarines for Australia, and renewed security in the Indo-Pacific region. Today we look at how the announcement has been met in Southeast Asia, where tensions over the South China Sea continue to grow.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Richard Lloyd Parry, Asia editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Sky News, The Guardian, The Telegraph.

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