The National Security Podcast
Expert analysis, insights and opinion on the national security challenges facing Australia and the Indo-Pacific. The podcast features discussions with leading academics, policymakers, and practitioners. It covers topics such as geopolitics, defense strategy, cyber security, and international relations. Produced by the ANU National Security College.
Episodes
Is Australia ready for the next pathogen threat?
How is health connected to national security? What role should the military play in health security – and where are the limits? How can Australia improve coordination across agencies before the next crisis arrives? In this episode, Sharryn Parker speaks with Esperanza Martinez and Nicholas Thomson about why pathogen preparedness, human security and health need to be understood as part of Aus
NZ Chief of Army on Plan ANZAC and the future of land power
What is the future trajectory for Plan ANZAC? How does a small nation like New Zealand (NZ) contribute to collective security in the Indo-Pacific? How does NZ’s strategic identity differ from Australia’s? What should the future social contract between NZ and its Defence Force look like? What does effective leadership and stewardship look like? In this episode, Sharryn Parker is joined by Maj
AUKUS at five: facts and fears
Does the flare up in recent AUKUS debates represent the perspectives of the broader Australian public? Does Australia have a credible Plan B if part of AUKUS falters? Can Australia sustain the political will and strategic patience needed for a multi-decade defence project? In this episode, Justin Burke speaks with Jennifer Parker and Peter Dean about what the latest developments mean for AUK
Security, power and the perspectives we miss
Can national security be fully understood through hard power alone? Is it time for Australia to have a broader national security strategy – one that goes beyond defence and brings in federal, state and community perspectives? How can women’s experiences be integrated into a more traditional understanding of national security? In this episode, Sharryn Parker speaks with Professor Valerie Huds
Beyond oil: what the Hormuz crisis means for Australia
Why is the Strait of Hormuz crisis about more than crude oil, and what does it reveal about Australia’s hidden supply-chain vulnerabilities? What should investment in supply chain resilience look like for Australia? Does the green transition reduce Australia’s energy security risks, or does it shift our dependence to new materials, technologies and supply chains? How can Australia m
“The future is expensive” – managing cost-of-living while investing in security
How should government balance national preparedness with cost-of-living pressures? Can Australia strengthen fuel security, defence capability and supply chain resilience without undermining productivity and living standards? How do economic pressures, housing stress and inequality shape public trust – and what does that mean for national security? In this episode, Aruna Sathanapally
2026 National Defence Strategy: evolution, not revolution
What are the real differences between the 2024 and 2026 National Defence Strategy – and why is this an evolution, not a revolution? How is Australia thinking about national resilience, and what does a ‘whole-of-nation’ approach to security look like in practice? Are we investing in the right capabilities – and at the right speed – to meet the challenges ahead? How do global conflicts, from Ukraine
Truth, trust and the algorithm: can democracy keep up?
How are everyday Australians experiencing misinformation in their daily lives, and why does it feel increasingly overwhelming? How are platforms and algorithms shaping what we see? What impact is this having on trust in institutions, political decision-making and social cohesion? What does a healthy democratic information space look like? In this episode, Tanya Notley and Ika Trijsburg join
No worries? What Australians think about security, risk and resilience
Why do Australians place peaceful and safe communities above more traditional security priorities? Why are AI-enabled attacks, economic crises, supply chain shocks and disinformation rising above more conventional threats in public concern?Why do many Australians want more transparency and information from trusted agencies, while also feeling overwhelmed by the information environment? Why do so f
What is driving the war in Iran – and what comes next?
Why did the United States and Israel choose to strike Iran now – and what are the strategic consequences of that decision? What lessons have been learnt from Iran’s asymmetric response? Can Iran’s protesters realistically leverage the current crisis for meaningful political change, or has the aerial campaign by US and Israel undermined their momentum? How can Australia and other US allies balance
Plotting a through line: February 2026 geopolitics update
Is there a strategic through line or an explanatory logic behind the Trump Administration’s actions in Venezuela, Greenland and Iran?What is the current state of the Transatlantic Alliance?What are the implications of cross-theatre linkages for the idea that Europe and the Indo-Pacific are separate security arenas?With rising tensions in the Middle East, what factors will most strongly influence w
Modernising Australia's border security
Why do Australia’s borders require a fundamental rethink? How can Australian governments build on the vision of Australia’s borders as a national strategic asset? How can new forms of border governance, such as the use of AI and advanced data analytics, be introduced without undermining public trust? What should the border look like for industry, travellers, the pubic, international partners
Why organised crime is now a national security threat
Why has serious and organised crime – estimated to cost Australia $82.3 billion each year – become a national security issue? How is the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) responding to this? What are the linkages between state actors and transnational and serious organised crime in Australia? What is the role of ACIC and other intelligence organisations in combating transnational
Pat Conroy on defence reform, industry and the Pacific
How integrated is Australia’s approach to statecraft across defence, diplomacy, development and industry – and how visible is that integration to the public? What is the strategic logic behind Australia’s expanding network of Pacific partnerships and treaties? What are the details of the reforms to defence acquisition and how will this impact the future of Australia’s defence industry? In th
The future will thank us: an intergenerational approach to security
What is intergenerational security and how does it intersect with traditional concepts of national security?How do intergenerational dynamics and differing interactions with technology, social media and AI impact security and resilience?What are the security issues that young Australians care about and how do these differ from the concerns of older Australians? In this episode Sally Bulkeley
Australia’s Chief of the Defence Force: reflections on half a century of service
How is the Australian Defence Force preparing for the challenges of a changing world? Does the appointment of a naval officer as the Chief of the Defence Force signal a shift in focus to the maritime domain? What does a career in the Australian Defence Force mean in the 21st century? In this episode, Admiral David Johnston joins Rory Medcalf to discuss the insights he has gain
Seeing the unseen: why geospatial intelligence is important
What are the origins of the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation (AGO), and how has the organisation developed within the National Intelligence Community? How does AGO contribute to the broader remit of Australian statecraft, the work done by other NIC agencies, and the Five Eyes partnership? What makes innovatio
Democratic resilience in the digital age
What is democratic resilience and why is it a national security issue? Why is it important to preserve public trust and participation in the electoral process and what are some of the challenges to this? Apart from voting, what are some other ways that Australians can engage in the democratic process? What challenges do big tech companies, mis- and disinformation, and AI present in
Sustaining deterrence and building defence industrial resilience
Do the US and other Western allies still maintain an edge over China in defence industry and innovation? How are partnerships between China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea reshaping the global balance of power? How do Australia and other US partners contribute to strengthening deterrence and industrial resilience? What are the key supply chain vulnerabilities we might face in a protr
What Finland can teach Australia about national security
How does Finland view strategic linkages between the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions? What is the Finnish model of ‘Comprehensive Security’, and how does it work in practice? How does Finland communicate openly with the public about national security risks without fuelling alarm or polarisation? What lessons can Australia learn from Finland's societal-led approach to prepared
Evolving lessons in counterterrorism from 9/11 to 2025
How has the terrorism threat landscape evolved since 9/11, and what makes today’s challenges more complex? How is the counterterrorism response evolving in response to today’s rapidly shifting global landscape? How has Trump’s ‘America-First’ policy impacted the US’ relationship with the Five Eyes partners in the counterterrorism space? What can we do at a societal and commun
Indonesia’s evolving role in the Indo-Pacific and beyond
How has Indonesia’s foreign policy evolved under President Prabowo? Is Indonesia slowly moving from being ‘non-aligned’ to being ‘multi-aligned’? How have recent US foreign and domestic policies affected its relationship with Indonesia? How can Australia and Indonesia strengthen their relationship and enhance cooperation in the Indo-Pacific? In this episode, Natalie Sambh
The evolution of strategic deterrence
How has strategic deterrence evolved from the Cold War to contemporary times? What is ‘strategic substitution,’ and how has China used it to craft its unique approach to deterrence? How does the ‘Golden Dome’ proposed by the US fit into today’s debates on missile defence and counter-space capabilities? Does Australia need to do more to close the capability gap in relation to China’s recent moderni
Partners with limits: inside the China–Russia relationship
How aligned are China and Russia's strategic interests? How is this relationship playing out in relation to competing spheres of influence in Central Asia? What are the key points of friction in the China-Russia partnership? In this episode, Dilnoza Ubaydullaeva and Graham Meehan join Sally Bulkeley to delve into the complex dynamics of the China-Russia relationship, exploring the alignment and di
PM Albanese's China visit and the future of the Aus-China relationship
How has the Australia-China relationship changed since the Prime Minister’s last visit to China in 2023? From China's perspective, how does its relationship with Australia fit into its current worldview? And how has US policy under Trump impacted that relationship? What does the future hold for the Australia-China relationship, given China’s increasingly assertive foreign and strategic p
How can we avoid conflict in our region?
What are some of the key mechanisms for avoiding conflict? Why is ASEAN a key player in preventive diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific region? What challenges are faced in trying to prevent conflict in the region? And what role does Australia play? In this episode, Bec Strating, Huong Le Thu and Collin Koh join Rory Medcalf to delve into the complexities of conflict prevention in the Indo-Pacific region
Unpacking the Australia-US relationship with “our man in Washington”
Is America retreating from global leadership? Is this just a temporary wave of tension in the bilateral relationship, or might it signal a broader, long-term shift? Are the current AUKUS debates in Australia cutting through in the US? In this episode, John Blaxland joins David Andrews to discuss Australia’s relationship with the US, and why he believes we’re well placed to wit
A decade at the helm: in conversation with Rory Medcalf
How has Australia’s security landscape changed over the last decade? How was the Indo-Pacific concept born, and how has it evolved? What are the biggest threats facing Australia right now? In this episode, Rory Medcalf joins David Andrews to look back on the past decade in which he has served as Head of the ANU National Security College (NSC). They discuss the evolution of glo
Nuclear flashpoint: Iran strikes, non-proliferation, and future threats
What impact will US and Israeli air strikes on Iran have on global non-proliferation efforts? How is Trump reshaping the US's leadership in nuclear non-proliferation? Could shifting international security dynamics encourage countries like South Korea or Japan to pursue nuclear weapons programs? In this episode, Michael Cohen and Maria Rost Rublee join David Andrews to discuss how recent strikes on
Disasters, distrust, and disinformation
What are some of the challenges societies face because of mis- and disinformation during disaster response? How can Australia adapt to deal with these challenges? What lessons can we learn from incidents around the world? What does the future look like if we don't adapt to this changing environment? In this episode, Jodie Wrigley, Anthony Bradstreet, and Allison Curtis join David Andrews to discus
Iran, Israel and the future of Middle East security
Where do the other Middle East countries and the Gulf nations stand on the Iran-Israel conflict? How do they view the US’ changing foreign policy? What were the motivations behind the recent US and Israeli attacks on Iran? Was it preventive or pre-emptive action? Is regime change in Iran a realistic objective by Israel/US? Could Australia be asked to support future US military or strategic actions
The trans-Tasman alliance: strengthening Australia-NZ security ties
What is the ‘foreign policy reset’ undertaken by New Zealand’s National government, and how does it differ from the previous Labour government’s approach? How can New Zealand and Australia strengthen their alliance to face shared security challenges, amidst US uncertainty and strategic competition with China? How have recent Chinese activities in the Tasman Sea and the wider Pacific be
In conversation with Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff
Why is the Indo-Pacific of importance to Canada? Will it have a more consistent presence in the region in the future? How is Canada adapting its defence capabilities to meet the demands of a rapidly changing geopolitical and technological landscape? What lessons has Canada drawn from the war in Ukraine, and how are these shaping the future of its armed forces and military operations?&nb
AI, rights and rules: who’s accountable in an automated world?
Can differing global approaches to AI regulation and investment work together, or are we headed toward fragmented, siloed systems? How can AI governance in developing nations be supported as part of regional aid and security agendas? What challenges does Australia face in regulating AI without a national bill of rights or federal human rights charter? Should governments mandate the inclusion of hu
Australia decides 2025: national security priorities
How is the re-elected Labor Government expected to approach national security and foreign policy in its new term of office? Can Australia strike a sustainable balance between its alliance with the United States and its complex relationship with China? Is the future of the AUKUS agreement secure? What more can the government do to strengthen Australia’s national security through improved
Transatlantic security crisis? NATO and Europe's strategic dilemma
Is Europe ready to defend itself without the United States? What roles do major countries like France, Germany, the UK, and partners like Australia play in this equation? How is the European defence industry responding to the war in Ukraine and rising geopolitical uncertainty? Are the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific theatres now fully integrated in an era of global strategic competition?  
Insidious and underappreciated? The impact of gender-based violence on national security
What is the link between gender and extremism? What makes it a national security issue? Can domestic violence act as a ‘comorbidity’ for extremism and radicalisation? Should the Australian Government consider following the lead of other countries and classifying misogyny as a form of extremism? In this episode, Elise Stephenson and Pascale Taplin join Danielle Ireland-Piper to discu
Why Taiwan’s security matters to Australia and the world
What kind of external pressures and foreign interference is Taiwan facing? How does Taiwan balance its status as a global tech giant with its regional security vulnerabilities? In what ways are Australia’s interests intertwined with the security and resilience of Taiwan? In this episode, Ketty Chen and Mark Harrison join Susan Dietz to discuss Taiwan's national security challenges, focu
China's evolving relationship with the United States
How does China’s leadership view the relationship with the US, and how has that perspective evolved over the years? How might China seek to take advantage of recent actions by the Trump Administration that have destabilised the international order? How should Australia respond to shifting US-China dynamics in the Indo-Pacific? In this episode, Chris Buckley joins Susan Dietz to discuss the evolvin
Is Australia prepared? Lessons from the 2024 Independent Intelligence Review
Is Australia doing enough to make intelligence useful for policymakers, parliamentarians, and cabinet ministers? How can Australia build an intelligence workforce with a diverse range of skills, interests and backgrounds, and reflective of our society? How should Australia balance its intelligence independence with alliance integration? In this episode Chris Taylor and Miah H
Aid, development, and Australia’s national security: why it matters now more than ever
What impact will cuts to foreign aid have on security in Southeast Asia and the Pacific? Why is international development essential to Australia’s diplomacy and security outlook? Do the recent Trump tariffs and withdrawal of aid demand a more active role for Australia and other middle powers? In this episode Melissa Conley Tyler and Mira Sulistiyanto join David Andrews to unpack the
How global shocks, supply chains, and innovation impact food security
What are the biggest contemporary threats to food security? How do global shocks affect supply chains? How will the Trump tariffs impact Australian and global food security? How can Australian research help bolster food security in other regions? In this episode, Alison Bentley and Dirk van der Kley join David Andrews to share insights into the current state of food security, conte
China's naval activity off Australia: coercion or common practice?
Was China's live fire exercise off Australia's coast permissible under international law? What might have been the rationale behind this exercise? Does this fit into a bigger pattern of Chinese maritime coercion, or was it a standalone incident? What are the strategic implications for Australia of China's growing blue water naval capabilities? How should Australia respond? In this episode Je
Russia, the US, and the (uncertain) future of “the West”
What parallels can be drawn between Russia’s democratic decline and challenges facing the US and other Western democracies? What are the prospects for genuine peace after Putin's invasion of Ukraine? With the US’ shifting priorities, how does Europe’s response to Russian aggression inform Australia’s own security outlook? In this episode, Peter Tesch and Mikhail Zygar join R
Security in transition: Trump’s America, alliances, and global stability
How is the shift in foreign policy under Donald Trump reshaping US alliances, and what does this mean for global security? To what extent is the US still a force for global stability? Could the new direction in US foreign policy under Donald Trump succeed in pulling Russia away from its partnership with China? In this episode, Beth Sanner joins Rory Medcalf to explore the Trump administration's ap
Who decides? Courts, citizenship, and national security
How does the exercise of judicial power shape national security law and policymaking in Australia? What legal safeguards exist to balance civil liberties and national security? Why do the principles of citizenship matter in Australia’s legal system and national security decisions? In this episode, Rebecca Ananian-Welsh and Sangeetha Pillai join Danielle Ireland-Piper to explore the separation of p
Contest for the High North: Greenland and Arctic security
Why is everyone suddenly talking about Greenland? How will Arctic security be impacted by rising great power competition? How have US neighbours and allies responded? In this episode, Iselin Németh Winther and Heather Exner-Pirot join David Andrews to explore the evolving significance of Arctic security, the uncertainties for Greenland under Donald Trump, and the potential impact of Arctic p
BRICS and the global order: shifting tides or a club of convenience?
Is BRICS primarily a challenge to Western-led institutions, or does it serve a broader purpose in global governance? How effective has BRICS been at pursuing its objectives? Does BRICS membership provide newer states with greater strategic influence through engagement with major economies like China, India, and Russia? In this episode, Flavia Zimmermann and Fitriani join David
Africa: Australia’s Indo-Pacific “blind spot”
How should Australia strengthen engagement with Africa?How do perceptions of Africa influence Australia’s approach to bilateral and regional partnerships, and what opportunities might we be overlooking?How do African nations view China? And how does China shape the dynamics of African geopolitics? In this episode, Babatunde Obamamoye, Matthew Neuhaus and Lisa Filipetto join David Andrews and
The power of fiction and storytelling in understanding national security
How can fiction and storytelling effectively engage the public with the complex challenges of national security?How does storytelling bridge gaps in historical narratives and deepen our understanding of contemporary conflicts?How can fiction help project future scenarios and explore potential outcomes? In this episode, Misha Zelinsky and Mick Ryan join David Andrews to explore the intersectio
Think you can identify misinformation online? Research shows you probably can’t
Only three percent of Australian adults were able to demonstrate the ability to verify information online, in a recent study. How can media literacy help inoculate citizens against mis- and disinformation? Why are critical thinking and media skills essential in a thriving democracy? And how can best-practice examples from around the globe and leading domestic research help sha
Pat Conroy on defending Australia and Pacific partnerships
How can Australia continue to champion the rules-based order, while balancing its strategic relationships and defence priorities? How is the government modernising the Australian Defence Force to address evolving challenges? What is Australia doing to ensure it remains the partner of choice in the Pacific? And how does the NRL deal with PNG impact security in the region?&nb
Andrew Hastie on social cohesion, defence, and strategic challenges
As the notion of a single ‘global theatre of struggle’ gains traction, what are the major challenges that Australia currently faces?How has Australia’s defence investment evolved over the years, and is the nation equipped to address today’s pressing challenges?What steps can Australia take to strengthen social cohesion while navigating political compromise and disruptive forces?In this episode, An
‘I have concepts of a plan’: what to expect from Trump 2.0
How does the United States' presidential transition process work, and how does it compare to the Australian electoral system? How might the election of Donald Trump impact US foreign and security policies? How can Australia best engage with a new Trump administration on critical issues like AUKUS, defence strategy, and tariffs? In this episode, Charles Edel joins Bianca Birds
Trust and leadership in intelligence and national security: Women in National Security
How does our strategic environment inform leadership in intelligence and national security? How do partnerships assist intel collection in an increasingly complex world? What are the foundations of trust in a leader? This episode is a panel discussion, hosted by Meg Tapia at the 2024 Women in National Security LIVE, features Kerri Hartland, Heather Smith, and Heather Coo
George Brandis on how politics and national security intersect
What is the relationship between national security and politics? How does national security policymaking differ from other areas of public policy?And how might the decline of major parties in Australia impact the national security policymaking process?In this episode, George Brandis – Australia's former Attorney-General and High Commissioner to the United kingdom – joins David Andrews to
In conversation with Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart
What is the role of the Army in an era shaped by strategic competition?How is the Army adapting for wars of the future?Why is it important to build trust between the Army and Australian society? In this episode, Simon Stuart joins Rory Medcalf discuss the changing nature of warfare, and how the Australian Army is positioned to succeed in facing future challenges. Lieutenant General Simon
Killer robots and unpredictability: the new face of weapons regulation
How will automated systems and artificial intelligence change the nature of weaponry?What ethical issues are at play when we discuss lethal autonomous weapons? Can weapons be programmed to follow the laws of armed conflict?How does public literacy influence perceptions of weapons systems?In this episode, Zena Assaad and Lauren Sanders join Danielle Ireland-Piper to discuss weapons regulation, and
Beyond the ballot: misinformation, trust and truth in elections
How do electoral commissions balance public trust with the growing role of technology (like Artificial Intelligence) in electoral processes? Can AI be a democratic tool? How are the electoral commissions in Australia and UK dealing with threats like misinformation and foreign interference? Why is absolute independence important for the Australian and UK electoral commissions? In thi
The politics of migration, refugees and national security
How do negative portrayals of migrants and refugees impact social cohesion within a society? What is "crimmigration," and what are the issues with using criminal law frameworks in immigration contexts?Do political incentives shape the discourse on migration and distract from other security threats? In this episode, Alan Gamlen, Kate Ogg, and Dorota Gozdecka join Danielle Ireland-Piper to
The impact of climate change on national security
Collective mobilisation is needed for an adequate response to climate change. How do we get there?How does climate change affect militaries? What role can technology play in mitigating the risks?What challenges does federalism pose in the effort to address climate change?In this episode, Tom Middendorp, Chris Barrie, Cheryl Durrant, and Sophie Lewis join Danielle Ireland-Piper to examine the criti
The new oil: critical minerals, rare earths, and the clean energy transition
What is the significance of rare earths and critical minerals for Australia and its partners? How does Australia’s conception of critical minerals differ from its partners? How do critical minerals lists reflect how those states view resource supply chains and vulnerabilities? With China currently dominating the rare earths value chain, how can Australia protect its interests in t
Quad Leaders’ Summit: setting it up for success in "phase 3"
What are the key takeaways from the 2024 Quad Leaders’ Summit? The Quad has helped its members to align and coordinate key policies, but what more needs to be done to improve its ability to deliver on major initiatives? Would the Quad benefit from pursuing a foundational treaty, agreement, or common branding, or is it better served by retaining its current, flexible approach? In t
Fostering ethical leadership: why compassion matters in public service
How can public policy better reflect the humanity and vulnerability of citizens? How can government leaders remain mindful of individuals within broader systems, and how does this approach improve public policy outcomes? How can governments foster ethical leadership and accountability while balancing political pressures and systemic challenges? In this episode, Mark Crosweller
The AUKUS officials, part 3: Damian Parmenter, UK Director General AUKUS
What is the central logic of AUKUS from a UK perspective?How does AUKUS contribute to European security?How does AUKUS fit into UK defence interests and strategies in the Indo-Pacific?In this episode, Damian Parmenter joins Rory Medcalf to discuss the UK perspective on AUKUS: the strategic environment, Pillar One operational specifics, diplomatic engagement and legislation, and progress on Pillar
Transformative and resilient: reflections from the 2024 Pacific Islands Forum
Considering new contributions to the Pacific Resilience Fund, is the global community doing enough to support Pacific Island countries? How has the Falepili Union between Australia and Tuvalu been received more broadly across the region? Will it be replicated? How does the Pacific Policing Initiative fit within the Pacific approach to collective security? How can the Pa
Going for gold: sport, statecraft, and security
What is sports diplomacy and why is it important to Australia’s foreign policy? What is the rationale behind the PNG-Australia rugby league deal? How are sporting events being weaponised to undermine social cohesion or reflect geopolitical tensions? In this episode, Bianca Birdsall and Stuart Murray join David Andrews to discuss the role of sport as it relates to Austral
The ultimate high ground: Australia’s role in the space domain
What makes the space domain critical to Australia’s defence and security? What is our constellation of defence partners in space? What assets does Australia bring to these relationships? What are the challenges and opportunities in the space domain? Is Australia contributing to what some critics call the “militarisation of space”? In this episode, Greg Novak j
India’s evolving place in the world under a third Modi government
What can we expect from Indian foreign and security policy under a third Modi government?How does the India-Russia relationship impact India’s foreign policy and cooperation with Western partners?How can India manage its strategic ambitions amidst region instability – including its deteriorating relationship with China?How do Australia and other Western powers balance their interests in strategic
Alliances and security agreements in Europe and the Indo-Pacific
How have alliances and security partnerships in the Indo-Pacific evolved in recent years? What trends can be identified? How does the current security environment compare to previous eras of alliance formation? What lessons can we draw? Are we seeing a strategic convergence between the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific? Between NATO and the network of US bilateral alliances in Asia?&nb
Australia’s AUKUS officials, part 2: Tanya Monro, Chief Defence Scientist
What are the priorities of the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) and how have they evolved to reflect our strategic environment? What is the importance of and strategic reasoning for AUKUS Pillar Two? What misconceptions exist about defence research at universities? How does industry, policy, and research intersect to contribute to deterrence and generating an
Australia’s AUKUS officials, part 1: Hugh Jeffrey, Deputy Secretary SP&I
What is Australia’s concept of ‘National Defence’ and where does AUKUS fit into it? What misconceptions exist about AUKUS Pillar One? What progress has been made to realise the potential of AUKUS Pillar Two? In this episode, Hugh Jeffrey joins Rory Medcalf to discuss Australia’s current strategic landscape, the Defence Strategic Review, National Defence Strategy, and AUKUS. H
Like-minded lessons: why Australia should be watching Europe's approach to China closely
How is ‘stabilisation’ of the Australia-China relationship being viewed in Brussels, and other European capitals? How could Australia and Europe better work together to limit China’s global influence? And what lessons can Canberra learn from Brussels' approach to economic security – particularly with regard to electric vehicles? In this episode, Janka Oertel joins Rory Me
The future of Australian elections and Australian democracy
Why is the resilience of Australia’s democracy critical to our freedom and privilege? What challenges does social media pose to the functioning of our democracy? How do tears in our social fabric exacerbate anti-democratic behaviour? In this episode, Tom Rogers and Clare O’Neil discuss the importance of, and challenges facing, elections and democracy. With framing introduction
Terrorism and extremism: a present and evolving threat
Is terrorism becoming a more prevalent threat in Western societies, or are we getting better at identifying potential terrorists and extremists? How are terrorist and extremist groups taking advantage of a new, more connected world to further their objectives? Has there been a shift towards embracing the role of women in both terrorist organisations and the intelligence community? &
Economic security: shocks, preparedness and resilience
What are the dynamics behind the sudden raft of economic security challenges Australia is confronting? What policy and institution settings need to be redesigned for the new world we find ourselves in? How can Australia look to diversify its trade and resources in order to steer clear of global supply chain tensions? In this session, Jeffrey Wilson, Tania Constable, Swa
Social licence for national security: what’s the mandate?
What is social licence a licence for? What are the public signing up to? How do other nations restructure the national security discussion to involve people, rather than just informing them? As a diverse and multicultural nation, how can we use technology to broaden public consultation? In this episode, James Brown, Dai Le, Christian Fjäder, Lisa Singh, and James Mortensen j
Chinese strategy and statecraft: coercion and competition in the Indo-Pacific
What are the objectives of China’s foreign and security policies under Xi Jinping? What is the role of Australia and other middle powers in responding to Chinese actions in the Indo-Pacific? Are the United States’ China policies set to change with future shifts in the international order? In this episode, Sheena Chestnut Greitens and Dan Blumenthal join David
Safeguarding the present and future of democracy
Is the decline of democracy being overblown? How has social media reshaped democracy, for better and for worse? How can the next generation of leaders sustain and strengthen democracy? In this episode, George Brandis, Tom Rogers, Atul Sharma, and Ketty Chen join Janine O’Flynn to discuss elections, institutions, opportunities, and challenges for democracy in the coming y
Future direction of the AUKUS agreement: what role for Japan and others?
What is the likelihood of the AUKUS partnership expanding to include Japan, Korea, Canada, and New Zealand? How would this impact the strategic objectives of AUKUS? Should AUKUS be formally separated, and the partners instead manage nuclear submarines and advanced capabilities under different agreements? What are some challenges and risks to the future success of AUKUS? In thi
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