Deterrence Down Under

In this episode of Deterrence Down Under, defense analyst Steven Kuper joins the conversation to examine Australia’s evolving strategic posture in an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific. The discussion centers on the implications of AUKUS—the trilateral security partnership reshaping defense cooperation, advanced capabilities, and undersea power in the region—and what it means for Australia’s long...

In this episode of Deterrence Down Under, defense analyst Lowell Schwartz joins Carl and Christine to examine the evolving landscape of nuclear diplomacy among the United States, Russia, and China. As great power competition intensifies without consistent dialogue, Schwartz explores the growing challenges surrounding arms control, transparency, and strategic stability in an increasingly complex mu...

In this episode of Deterrence Down Under, hosts Christine and Carl take a deep dive into extended nuclear deterrence, nuclear sharing, and Australia’s evolving defense strategy in an increasingly contested Asia‑Pacific region. The discussion examines whether nuclear sharing—long debated in Europe—could play a role in Australia’s security posture, and what the strategic, political, and regional con...

In this episode of Deterrence Down Under, defense analyst Derek Grossman joins the discussion with Carl to unpack how countries across the Indo‑Pacific view—and respond to—China’s growing influence. As Grossman notes, the Indo‑Pacific is far from monolithic, with regional actors pursuing distinct strategies shaped by history, geography, and national interest. The conversation examines Australia’s...

In this episode of Deterrence Down Under , Christine and Carl examine the accelerating pace of China’s military modernization and what it means for Australia, regional allies, and stability in the Indo‑Pacific. The discussion explores Beijing’s strategic objectives—particularly its anti‑access/area denial (A2AD) approach—and how these capabilities shape deterrence dynamics surrounding Taiwan and U...

China’s rapid nuclear expansion is reshaping global deterrence—and it’s happening faster than many realize. In this episode, Christine and Carl break down China’s evolving nuclear strategy, from new missile systems and submarine-launched capabilities to alarming tests near Lop Nur. They explore what a growing arsenal—potentially reaching the thousands by the 2030s—means for strategic stability, fi...

In this episode of Deterrence Down Under, Carl speaks with Dr. Fei‑Ling Wang about China’s worldview, the Chinese Communist Party’s vision for a new global order, and the strategic implications of China’s military and technological rise. The conversation explores why Taiwan is central to CCP legitimacy, how China seeks influence through both power and institutions, and why long‑term coordination a...

In this episode of Deterrence Down Under, Carl and Christina are joined by renowned counterintelligence expert Nick Eftimiades for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of Chinese espionage. Drawing on decades of research and firsthand experience, the conversation unpacks how China’s intelligence system operates as a whole‑of‑society enterprise—one that incentivizes espionage behavior across sta...

Christine and Carl unpack the newest U.S. National Security Strategy and examine what it means for both the United States and Australia. They explore recent trends in defense spending by the U.S. and its allies, analyze how alliance structures shape security in the Indo‑Pacific, and note the absence of AUKUS in the strategy. The discussion concludes with a candid look at preparedness, public perce...

In this compelling episode of Deterrence Down Under, host Carl Rhodes sits down with Lachlan Colquhoun—one of Australia’s leading voices in counterterrorism and countering violent extremism (CVE). They unpack how Australia confronts today’s complex security landscape through a coordinated, whole‑of‑government approach. Colquhoun offers a candid look at the evolving nature of violent extremism, the...

In this compelling episode of "Deterrence Down Under," hosts Carl and Christine are joined by Air Vice Marshal John Blackburn to explore Australia's resilience in the face of strategic challenges. From the intricacies of national security to the vulnerabilities in infrastructure and supply chains, Blackburn shares insights from his extensive experience in defense and strategic planning. The discus...

In this conversation, Carl and Christine welcome Edward Geist, of RAND Corporation, to explore the concept of civil defense during the Cold War, its evolution, and its implications for modern deterrence strategies. They discuss the goals of civil defense in the US and Soviet Union, differences in their approaches, and lessons that can be applied to contemporary defense planning. The conversation h...

This episode explores Australia’s most challenging strategic environment since World War II, drawing lessons from history to understand today’s security landscape. Carl and Christine highlight the gap in official crisis preparedness guidance and examine how personal strategies often diverge from government recommendations. With a sense of urgency, they discuss resourcefulness, critical thinking, a...

In this episode of "Deterrence Down Under," hosts Carl and Christine delve into the complexities of defense spending, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by Australia. They discuss the balance between immediate, near-term, and long-term defense investments, highlighting the strategic decisions involved in allocating resources for current capabilities versus future advancements. The conve...

In this episode of Deterrence Down Under, Christine and Carl engage with Frank Rose, a prominent figure in geopolitics and national security. The conversation delves into the complexities of missile defense, its historical context, and the evolving challenges posed by modern warfare, including the rise of drone technology. Frank emphasizes the importance of adapting missile defense strategies and...

Carl and Christine explore how Australia can strengthen deterrence through air power—its challenges, strategic options, and evolving force structure. They’re joined by Chris McInnes, Executive Director of the Air Power Institute, to discuss the unique role of air power in securing Australia’s vast maritime environment and examine how emerging technologies like drones and long-range strike platform...

In this episode, Carl and Christine examine the role of public debate in Australia’s defense and national security. They discuss alliances—especially Australia’s link to the US—recent Indo-Pacific developments, and the need to explain strategies like AUKUS to the public using Simon Sinek’s Start with Why approach. The episode highlights the importance of open discussion and a whole-of-nation appro...

Carl and Christine discuss how Australia’s history influences its worldview, its alliances, and its approach to national security strategy. Over the past 80 years, Australia’s contributions to the U.S. alliance have weighed heavily on strategic thought. A new approach, focused on the maritime domain, is needed to effectively shape, deter, and respond to challenges in the Indo-Pacific region and ma...

In this episode of Deterrence Down Under, Carl, Christine, and Natalie are joined by Bob Peters to discuss the implications of the recent NATO summit for Australia, the concept of Golden Dome as a new missile defense strategy, and the evolving threats from global adversaries like China and Russia. The conversation also explores the role of AUKUS in enhancing missile defense capabilities, the impor...

In this episode of Deterrence Down Under, the Carl, Christine, and Natalie discuss the complexities of extended nuclear deterrence in Australia, tracing its historical roots and examining the current strategic environment. They explore the evolution of Australia's nuclear policy, the changing threat landscape from 2012 to today, and the public perception of nuclear deterrence. The conversation als...

In this conversation, Natalie and Siddhant Hira explore the role of irregular warfare within a broader deterrence strategy, particularly from an Indian perspective. They discuss the challenges of defining irregular warfare, the importance of national security strategies, and how these concepts relate to deterrence in the context of India-China relations. The dialogue also touches on the need for h...

In this solo podcast, Carl has thoughts on the recently released ASPI Cost of Defence report and the discussions in Canberra about its findings. He also shares some insights into who’s advocating for increased defence spending and what new capabilities Australia should be investing in. Get Involved with more NIDS Services: https://thinkdeterrence.com/ Deterrence Education at NIDS https://thinkdete...

In this episode of Deterrence Down Under, Natalie discusses the complexities of nuclear proliferation with Christine and Dr. Peter Layton. The conversation explores whether the US should abandon the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in light of recent global changes, the historical context of nuclear stances, and the implications of nuclear sharing among allies and delves into the normalization of...

In this episode, Carl and Natalie discuss Russia's military activities in the Indo-Pacific, Australia's national security strategies, and the contrasting approaches to deterrence between the Biden and Trump administrations. They explore the implications for Australia and the role of whole-of-government coordination when working with partners and allies to enact deterrence in the region. Note - Ind...

In today’s bonus episode, Carl goes solo to discusses the deployment of Chinese warships to Australia, their live fire exercise and what it means about deterrence and messaging for China and Australia. Get Involved with more NIDS Services: https://thinkdeterrence.com/ Deterrence Education at NIDS https://thinkdeterrence.com/deterrence-education/ Like and follow us – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin....