How have historical intelligence organisations evolved into the national security agencies we know today? Who were Australia’s early intelligence professionals? And how has this rich history contributed to the formation of key signals intelligence agreements such as Five Eyes? In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Clare Birgin and Professor John Blaxland join Dr Will Stoltz to discuss their recently released book, Revealing Secrets: An unofficial history of Australian Signals intell...
Jun 08, 2023•48 min
What challenges does China pose to Australia’s security? And have the recent policy responses from Australian Governments been effective? In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Dr Euan Graham, IISS Shangri-La Dialogue Senior Fellow, discusses his new book, Australia's Security in China's Shadow, with Professor Rory Medcalf in front of a live audience. The conversation follows insightful opening remarks delivered by Richard Maude, Senior Fellow at Asia Society Australia, and former Di...
Jun 01, 2023•1 hr 6 min
What is the Defence Strategic Review, and why does it matter? What does it mean for Australian strategy and defence in this contested era? And how will it shape the way the Australian Defence Force and Department of Defence adapt to the risks facing the nation? In this episode of the National Security Podcast , co-lead of the 2023 Defence Strategic Review (DSR) Secretariat, Professor Peter Dean, joins Professor Rory Medcalf to provide an insider's analysis of the government’s latest strategic de...
May 25, 2023•51 min
How is the Quad navigating China’s growing power and influence in the region? How do the four countries balance their domestic security priorities with their commitments under the partnership? And does India’s position on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine create compatibility challenges? In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Darshana Baruah, Lisa Curtis and Professor Nobukatsu Kanehara join Professor Rory Medcalf to discuss the Quad partnership at a key time for Indo-Pacific diplomacy. D...
May 18, 2023•52 min
How important is Korea to Australia’s regional outlook? What elements of the Australia-South Korea relationship should be strengthened? And can South Korea continue to effectively juggle the competing security priorities of a rising China and a belligerent North Korea? In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Dr Lauren Richardson and Dr Michael Cohen join David Andrews to examine the Korean peninsula in the context of Australian foreign and security policy. Dr Lauren Richardson is a Le...
May 11, 2023•38 min
What can we learn from First Nations Australians about our obligation to country? And is enough being done to protect native title owners from foreign interference? In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Lieutenant Colonel Eileen Hall and Dr Danielle Ireland-Piper discuss what security means from an Indigenous Australian perspective, and how cultural knowledge and cultural safety can directly impact domestic and regional security. Lieutenant Colonel Eileen Hall is the Australian Army...
May 04, 2023•51 min
What are Australia’s strategic interests in Antarctica? What role does the continent play in climate science? And what does Australia stand to gain from investment in the region? In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Dr James Mortensen and Isabelle Bond, authors of recent NSC Policy Options Paper Cold logic: getting intelligent about Antarctica, join William Leben to discuss the geopolitics of Antarctica. James Mortensen is a Lecturer at the ANU National Security College. Isabelle B...
Apr 27, 2023•34 min
While social media has many benefits, there are a growing number of users – both human and machine – spreading harmful disinformation and misinformation on these networks. What is the difference between disinformation and misinformation? How do different actors – both state and non-state – affect society and geopolitics using social media? And what steps can be taken to overcome these challenges? In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Associate Professor Darren Linvill from Clemson U...
Apr 20, 2023•46 min
What is the Women, Peace and Security framework and how did it come about? What was this agenda designed to do, and has it achieved the original ambition? In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Professor Jacqui True from Monash University, and Lisa Sharland from the Stimson Centre, join Gai Brodtmann in conversation to unpack the Women Peace and Security agenda 23 years on from its creation. Jacqui True is a Professor of international relations and Director of the Australian Research...
Apr 13, 2023•44 min
How will Canada engage with partners in the Indo-Pacific? What does its new Indo-Pacific Strategy outline for the years ahead? And how does this document shed light on the nation’s strategic outlook? In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Jonathan Berkshire Miller and Paul Chamberlain join David Andrews in conversation to examine Canada’s recent Indo-Pacific Strategy, its interests in the region and what it aims to achieve. Jonathan Berkshire Miller is Senior Fellow and Director of t...
Apr 06, 2023•58 min
Technological innovation is now one of the most consequential realms of geopolitical contestation. And in the era of big tech, the private sector has assumed power that once resided with governments. In response, we’ve seen a reassertion of industry policy, with governments trying to re-establish control. What happens to Australia’s national security when private companies, such as TikTok, are in the geopolitical driver’s seat? And how can policymakers keep up with this ever-changing industry? I...
Mar 30, 2023•47 min
Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) population is under-represented in the national security community. In the latest National Security Podcast mini-series, Olivia Shen and Meg Tapia explore this gap — its causes, effects and potential solutions — and analyse the role of CALD in promoting strategic advantage. Coinciding with Harmony Week, in the first episode of the mini-series, Carl Chang from the Office of National Intelligence joins Olivia and Meg. They unpack what CALD i...
Mar 23, 2023•25 min
Australia’s most recent Population Statement details the early impacts of the COVID‑19 pandemic and projects where the nation’s population is heading over the next decade. How can this information be used to inform policy and decision-making in pursuit of a secure Australian future? In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Dr Liz Allen, demographer and Senior Lecturer at the ANU Center for Social Research and Methods, joins Dr Will Stoltz to discuss the state of Australia's population ...
Mar 16, 2023•45 min
The Alliance with the United States is historically one of the most important aspects of Australia’s strategic policy — including in relation to Australia’s response to the changing strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific. Recent qualitative research on Australian public opinion on the US Alliance, conducted by the United States Studies Centre, sheds new light on how the relationship is viewed, and what future cooperation could look like. In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Prof...
Mar 09, 2023•47 min
In this episode of the National Security Podcast , the Hon Clare O’Neil, Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security, joins Professor Rory Medcalf in conversation. They discuss Australia’s current and future geopolitical environment, national resilience and maintaining integrity in Australia’s democracy. The conversation frames some significant developments in Australian government policy on foreign interference and cyber security. The Minister also shares insights on the new role of the Depart...
Mar 02, 2023•48 min
How has civilian life been impacted by the war? What more can be done to end the conflict? Will President Zelenskyy’s 10-point peace plan lead to a treaty? 24 February 2023 marks one year since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Dr Sonia Mycak and Dr Anton Moiseienko join David Andrews to reflect on the last 12 months and discuss how the war might end. Dr Sonia Mycak is a Research Fellow at the ANU Centre for European Studies. She is a regular commen...
Feb 23, 2023•55 min
Why should policy practitioners and law makers focus their attention on space? What does space security look like from a gendered perspective? Is commercialisation disrupting the way that space is used for warfare? And why is space diplomacy important for Australia – regionally and internationally? In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Dr Cassandra Steer joins Dr Danielle Ireland-Piper to discuss the security dimensions of space and the consequences of it being a dual-use environmen...
Feb 16, 2023•35 min
Despite what you’d infer from the news articles, nuclear-powered submarines form just one part of the AUKUS Agreement. There is a whole other portion of the pact focused on other technological capabilities. What is AUKUS pillar two? What kind of projects are underway under the auspices of this pillar? Are current export control regimes of AUKUS nations fit for purpose? And is expanding pillar two to bring in other countries a realistic goal? In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Dr ...
Feb 09, 2023•44 min
In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Sweden’s Ambassador to Australia His Excellency Mr Pontus Melander and Latvia’s Ambassador to Australia His Excellency Mr Marģers Krams join Dr Will Stoltz in conversation. They discuss how their countries approach building national resilience in response to a range of complex conventional and hybrid threats. His Excellency Mr Pontus Melander is the Ambassador of Sweden to Australia His Excellency Mr Marģers Krams is the Ambassador of Latvia to A...
Feb 02, 2023•45 min
How can fiction influence national security policy and its development? What is the role of fiction in future scenario planning? How does reading fiction assist with developing empathy, and why is this important to the national security community? In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Danielle Ireland-Piper, Chris Uhlmann and John Birmingham join Dayle Stanley in conversation to discuss the role of fiction in national security and policy making. Dr Danielle Ireland-Piper is Associate...
Jan 26, 2023•46 min
In the final National Security Podcast episode of the year, some of the team from the ANU National Security College take stock of Australia’s security landscape in 2022. Dayle Stanley, Elise Stephenson, Rory Medcalf and Will Stoltz also discuss what they’ll be keeping an eye on in 2023, and the years to come. Dayle Stanley is the Director of Strategy & Engagement at the ANU National Security College Futures Hub. Dr Elise Stephenson is a Fellow at the ANU National Security College and the inc...
Dec 29, 2022•48 min
Under the AUKUS agreement, Australia will be the first non-nuclear state to acquire nuclear propulsion technology. What impact could this have on the nation’s nuclear security standards? And how could it affect Australia’s standing as a non-proliferation player? In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Scott Roecker and Jessica Bufford from the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) join Professor Rory Medcalf in conversation. They discuss global nuclear non-proliferation and arms control eff...
Dec 22, 2022•45 min
In this episode of the National Security Podcast , the Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, the United Kingdom's Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific, joins Professor Rory Medcalf in conversation. How will the United Kingdom’s Integrated Review refresh affect Britain’s Indo-Pacific policy? What does AUKUS mean for the United Kingdom? And what’s the future of Australia-UK cooperation? In this episode of the National Security Podcast , the Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP — who was recently appointed a...
Dec 15, 2022•45 min
In this episode of the National Security Podcast , eminent Russian foreign policy scholar Professor Akihiro Iwashita joins Professor Rory Medcalf in conversation. How does the history of conflict between Japan and Russia affect relations today? How has the Russian invasion of Ukraine impacted their relationship? And what strategic challenges does the China-Russia relationship present for Japan and the Indo-Pacific? In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Professor Akihiro Iwashita – a...
Dec 08, 2022•38 min
In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Professor the Hon Gareth Evans, former Australian Foreign Minister and former Chancellor of The Australian National University, joins Professor Rory Medcalf to discuss repositioning Australia in a new geopolitical environment. In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Professor the Hon Gareth Evans – a longstanding and influential voice in Australian foreign and public policy – joins Professor Rory Medcalf in conversation. They discuss ...
Dec 01, 2022•48 min
In this episode of the National Security Podcast , we bring you the final instalment of the Women in National Security mini-series, produced in collaboration with Accenture. To celebrate the final episode of the Women in National Security mini-series, the ANU National Security College hosted a networking event and live podcast recording with more than 250 women at the National Gallery of Australia. Our hosts Gai Brodtmann, National Security College Futures Council member, and Meg Tapia, Principa...
Nov 24, 2022•1 hr 4 min
In this episode, Lisa Curtis — Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security — joins Will Stoltz and David Andrews from the ANU National Security College to discuss the Biden Administration’s new National Security Strategy. A new national security strategy from Australia’s most important ally deserves close attention. What is a national security strategy in the American context? What are the key areas of continuity and change between this strategy and the document produced by the Trump...
Nov 17, 2022•46 min
In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Australia’s Minister for Cyber Security Clare O’Neil MP and the former head of Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre Ciaran Martin join Katherine Mansted in conversation. The recent data breaches at Optus and Medibank remind us how valuable, yet vulnerable, Australians’ personal data is. The hacks — which are two of the worst in the country’s history — highlight the need for a rethink of the nation’s approach to cyber security. In this episod...
Nov 10, 2022•1 hr 5 min
In this episode of the National Security Podcast , outgoing Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service, Major General Paul Symon AO (Retd), joins Professor Rory Medcalf AM to reflect on his long career in the national security community. The head of the Australian intelligence agency tasked with collecting human intelligence from around the world is preparing to retire. In a rare appearance, Major General Paul Symon AO (Retd) joins Professor Rory Medcalf AM in conversation. T...
Nov 03, 2022•1 hr 11 min
In this episode of the National Security Podcast , we bring you the ninth instalment of the Women in National Security mini-series, produced in collaboration with Accenture. In this episode of the National Security Podcast , hosts Gai Brodtmann, National Security College Futures Council member, and Meg Tapia, Principal Director for Defence and National Security at Accenture, are joined by Dr Danielle Ireland-Piper, Associate Professor at ANU National Security College and Honorary Adjunct Associa...
Oct 27, 2022•53 min
