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 discuss the politics of national security policymaking.   Professor The Honourable George Brandis KC is...

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 Stuart AO DSC is Chief of the Australian Army. Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of the ANU National...

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 how artificial intelligence and autonomous systems changes the arms landscape. Dr Zena Assaad...

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 this episode, Tom Rogers and Vijay Rangarajan join Rory Medcalf to discuss congruent and colliding features of...

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 discuss "crimmigation”, why migration is a politically charged issue, and discuss High Court cases...

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 critical link between climate change and national security, and what action is needed to mitigate...

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 this space? In this episode, Hayley Channer and John Mavrogenes join David Andrews to discuss critical minerals...

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 this episode, Gaurav Saini and Kate Clayton join David Andrews to discuss the 2024 Quad Leaders’ Summit, and...

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 and Margaret Moreton join David Andrews to discuss compassion, ethical leadership, resilience, and the tensions...

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 Two. Damian Parmenter CBE is Director General AUKUS at the UK Ministry of Defence.   Professor...

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 Pacific balance the pros and cons of the PALM scheme?   In this episode, Maima Koro, Henritta McNeil and Joel Nilon join...

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 Australia’s national security – in diplomacy, foreign policy, and as a vector for insecurity, violence, crime, and societal...

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 joins Rory Medcalf to discuss the importance of space to Australia’s national interest, collaboration with industry and the...

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 cooperation with India alongside challenges to political trust that have emerged recently?  In...

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?  In this episode, Alexander Lanoszka and Susannah Patton join David Andrews to discuss the evolving role of...

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 asymmetric technological advantage?   In this episode, Tanya Monro joins Rory Medcalf to discuss innovation, science...

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.   Hugh Jeffrey is Deputy Secretary Strategy, Policy, and Industry at the Department of Defence.   Professor Rory...

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 Medcalf to discuss how Europe is approaching the ‘China challenge’.    Dr Janka Oertel is Director of the Asia Programme...

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 introductions from Rory Medcalf and Genevieve Bell.  Note: This episode was recorded from a public session, ‘The Future of...

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?     In this episode, Bruce Hoffman, Amira Jadoon, and Aaron Zelin join Bianca Birdsall to discuss international...

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, Swati Dave, Darren Lim, Helen Mitchell, and Christopher Flynn assess Australia’s economic readiness to deal with future...

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 join Duncan Lewis to discuss the role of social licence, how it is generated, and how much licence is enough. They...

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 Andrews to discuss the drivers of the China and the United States’ security policies, the role of China in the international...

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 years.  Professor The Hon George Brandis KC is a Professor in the Practice of National Security, Policy and Law at the...