The rise of autocracy This episode explores the challenge for Australia as it enters a new era, in which China’s international sway increases and democracies compete with their rivals for global influence. Join Jonathan Pearlman and guests John Keane and Linda Jaivin. Background reading: John Keane, “Enter the Dragon” in Australian Foreign Affairs 11 Linda Jaivin, “Middle-Power Might” in Australian Foreign Affairs 11 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spying in the age of COVID-19 The COVID-19 pandemic is revealing new challenges facing the world of intelligence. Which countries were equipped to quickly track data from Wuhan and beyond? How is spycraft adapting to the digital era? And how are agencies preparing for a return to great power competition? Join Jonathan Pearlman and guests Danielle Cave and Andrew Davies from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Background reading: Danielle Cave, “Data Driven” in Australian Foreign...

Can We Depend on America? As the COVID-19 pandemic deepens the divide between the United States and China, Washington’s long-term commitment to Asia has come under question. Will the US try to prevent China’s regional dominance? And what does this growing rivalry mean for US allies such as Australia? Guests: Kelly Magsamen, from the Center for American Progress, and Michael Wesley, from The University of Melbourne. Background reading: Beyond Trump: The view from the United...

A podcast about foreign affairs in Australia and the Asia-Pacific. The AFA podcast is a new audio offering from the publisher of Australian Foreign Affairs, Quarterly Essay, The Monthly and The Saturday Paper. Hosted by Jonathan Pearlman, editor of Australian Foreign Affairs, The AFA Podcast engages with the complex challenges facing Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. Each episode is around twenty-five minutes in length and features conversations with some of the world’s leading...