Richard Heydarian

Richard Heydarian is a Filipino political scientist and media personality, with a substantial body of work as a columnist for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and contributor to the Asia Times and the South China Morning Post. Hosting "The View from Manila" on One News TV Channel and the podcasts "Deep Dive with Richard Heydarian" and "Utak Forum", his influence extends to multiple media platforms. As a senior lecturer at the UP Asian Center, Heydarian imparts his knowledge of international affairs in Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region to graduate students. His critical analysis of authoritarian leaders, notably President Rodrigo Duterte, has earned him recognition as an advocate for human rights.

Heydarian's career encompasses significant achievements within academia and media. His articles and interviews have been featured in global media outlets such as The New York Times, Foreign Affairs, and The Guardian. His television show "The View From Manila" was nominated for "Best Current Affairs" at the Asian Television Awards 2023. Furthermore, his contributions to public policy discourse and social sciences have been recognized with awards such as "Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World" (TOYP) and "Ten Outstanding Young Men" (TOYM). Heydarian has also interacted with global leaders such as Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

As a prominent critic of authoritarian populism, Heydarian has published a variety of scholarly works, including "The Indo-Pacific: Trump, China, and the New Struggle for Global Mastery" and "The Rise of Duterte: A Populist Revolt Against Elite Democracy". His advocacy for a proactive and autonomous Philippine foreign policy and greater cooperation among Global South nations has led to speaking engagements at events such as the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit. In addition to his academic pursuits, Heydarian maintains a strong social media presence, hosting forums and engaging in public debates on key issues concerning Philippine politics and international relations.