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 few Australians think the country is fully prepared for major threats, and what does that preparedne...
Apr 02, 2026•45 min
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 alliance commitments with national interests in this conflict? In this episode, Beth Sanner and Dr R...
Mar 18, 2026•45 min
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 whether tensions between the US and Iran escalate into a broader regional conflict? Are there any ...
Mar 05, 2026•52 min
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 and those interested in conducting trade with Australia? In this episode, Mike Outram joins Sally Bulkele...
Feb 19, 2026•40 min
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 crime? How does ACIC work with international partners? In this episode, Heather Cook joins Rory Medc...
Feb 05, 2026•36 min
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 this episode, Pat Conroy joins Rory Medcalf to discuss Australia’s strategic outlook, defence reform, region...
Jan 22, 2026•42 min
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 is joined by Afeeya Akhand and Victoria Cooper to discuss intergenerational security and the differing ...
Dec 04, 2025•47 min
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 gained through his career in the Royal Australian Navy, and how he sees the future of Australia’s defence. Admiral David John...
Nov 20, 2025•44 min
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 innovation in the geospatial intelligence space key to building resilience? In this episode Kathryn McMullan joins Sally Bulkeley to discuss the importance of geospatial intelligence, ...
Nov 06, 2025•42 min
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 this digital age? In this episode Tom Rogers joins Tim Wilford to discuss the importance of democratic resilience i...
Oct 23, 2025•26 min
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 protracted conflict, and how can Australia and its partners mitigate them? In this episode, Seth Jones joins David Andre...
Oct 09, 2025•46 min
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 preparedness? In this episode, Pasi Rajala joins Rory Medcalf to discuss the evolving geopolitical landscape, the importanc...
Sep 25, 2025•28 min
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 community level to counter violent extremism? In this episode, Nick Rasmussen joins Sharryn Parker to discuss the evolving lands...
Sep 11, 2025•58 min
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 Sambhi and Yohanes Sulaiman join David Andrews to explore Indonesia's evolving role as a strategic actor in the Indo-Pacific and it...
Aug 28, 2025•51 min
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 modernisation? In this episode, Fiona Cunningham and Aaron Bateman join David Andrews to explore the evolut...
Aug 21, 2025•43 min
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 divergence of their strategic interests. Dr Dilnoza Ubaydullaeva is a Lecturer at the ANU National Sec...
Aug 14, 2025•43 min
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 policies? In this episode, Rowan Callick and Will Glasgow join Susan Dietz to unpack PM Anthony Albanese’s rece...
Aug 07, 2025•52 min
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, emphasising the role of ASEAN, Australia and other partners. Rebecca (Bec) Strating FAIIA is the D...
Jul 31, 2025•52 min
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 withstand the instabilities of Trump’s second term in office. John Blaxland is Director of the North America Liaison Office ...
Jul 24, 2025•40 min
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 global threats over this period and how NSC has shifted its work to respond. Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of NSC. His p...
Jul 17, 2025•47 min
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 Iran have brought nuclear non-proliferation back to the forefront of international policy debates. ...
Jul 10, 2025•35 min
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 discuss the evolving challenges posed by mis- and disinformation in crisis response scenarios. Jodie Wrigl...
Jul 03, 2025•48 min
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 in the region? In this episode, Jessie Moritz and Ian Parmeter join David Andrews in discussion abo...
Jun 26, 2025•53 min
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 been viewed in New Zealand compared to Australia? What impact are these activities having on New Zealanders’ perce...
Jun 19, 2025•45 min
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? In this episode, General Jennie Carignan joins Sally Bulkeley to discuss Canada’s evolving defence posture amid a...
Jun 12, 2025•30 min
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 human oversight in all AI-powered decisions? In this episode, Sarah Vallee and Maria O’Sullivan join D...
Jun 05, 2025•43 min
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 preparedness and resilience? In this episode, David Andrews, Will Leben and Bec Strating join Sally Bulkeley t...
May 29, 2025•46 min
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? In this episode, Thorsten Benner and Bruno Tertrais join Rory Medcalf to explore the evolving landscape of Eur...
May 22, 2025•56 min
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 discuss the complex relationship between extremism, gender and national security. Dr Elise Stephenson is the Deputy Dire...
May 15, 2025•44 min
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, focusing on the influence of China, the complexities of Taiwan's domestic politics, and the implications of its rol...
May 08, 2025•44 min
