Colonialism has often left diverse and mutually hostile ethnic groups trapped inside a common national border. In Asia, countries like Myanmar and Sri Lanka have played out their unresolved ethnic divisions in prolonged civil unrest and bloodshed. How can ethnically splintered nations find a way forward? Can federalism be utilised to ease conflict and promote stability? Asia governance experts Prof Baogang He and Dr Michael Breen dive into the details with presenter Ali Moore.

An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by profactual.com. Music by audionautix.com. Transcript here.

Main image (L-R): Prof. Baogang He and Dr Michael Breen. Listing image: Columbo, Sri Lanka. Credit: Adam Jones.