The Focus

Can Ukraine’s security dilemma reshape the global nuclear order? Join us as we explore the chilling realities of nuclear escalation, broken international promises, and what it takes to secure lasting peace with expert Mariana Budjeryn. Show Notes: https://www.belfercenter.org/person/mariana-budjeryn https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/mariana-budjeryn-personal-perspective-war-ukraine https://...

🔥 What Will Trump 47 Mean for America and the World? 🚨 From immigration crackdowns to a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, we're diving deep with Dr. Roy Casagranda into the policies, global impacts, and controversies that could define Donald Trump’s second term. 🌍 Don’t miss this eye-opening discussion on how his leadership might reshape domestic politics, the economy, education, and America’s ro...

In our latest episode of  The Focus , we sit down with Dr. Roy Casagranda to delve into the high-stakes landscape of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. With democracy, alliances, and the global order on the line, Dr. Casagranda unpacks the complexities surrounding Trump AND Harris as presidential candidates, exploring how their policies and political manoeuvres could reshape America and its role...

🔥  Iran's Largest Missile Barrage Yet!  🔥 In this explosive episode of  The Focus , we dive into the unprecedented Iranian missile strikes on Israel in 2024, the largest of its kind since the conflict began. With  200 ballistic missiles  fired, retaliation for the assassinations of key Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, and Israel's air defenses pushed to the limit, we sit down with  Professor Scott L...

Is there a new 'Harris Doctrine' on the horizon? Join Yale historian Dr. Michael Brenes as we unpack Kamala Harris's foreign policy vision in our latest podcast! Show Notes: You can contact Michael here: X: @mbrenes1 Substack:  michaelbrenes.substack.com Books published by Michael –  And, as mentioned in the podcast -  The Rivalry Peril: How Great-Power Competition Threatens Peace and Weakens Demo...

In this episode of  The Focus , host John Bruni sits down with  Professor John Blaxland  to unravel the complexities of the  AUKUS security pact  and its implications for global power dynamics. As the world shifts into an era of  unrestricted competition  between China & the U.S., what does AUKUS really mean for the future of international security? Are Australia, the U.S., and the UK prepared...

In our latest episode of The Focus, we sit down with Dr. Ori Goldberg, a leading expert on Iran’s political and religious landscape, to dive deep into the complexities of Israel-Iran relations.  Show Notes X: @ori_goldberg Articles by Ori "What Israelis Don’t Want to Hear About Iran and Hezbollah" (Published in +972 Magazine on September 20, 2024) https://www.972mag.com/iran-israel-hezbollah-ori-g...

In our latest episode of The Focus, renowned demographer   Dr. Paul Morland unpacks one of the most controversial and alarming issues of our time: global depopulation. What happens when the world's population shrinks? How does this shift impact economies, geopolitics, and future generations? Are we truly facing a "population crisis," or is there more to the story? Tune in as we dive into shocking...

In this gripping episode of The Focus, we delve into the aftermath of the Wagner Group’s fall from grace and the emergence of a new era in Russian paramilitary operations. Join us as Dr. Ladd Serwat unpacks the intricate power shifts, the rise of the 'Africa Corps', and the lasting impact of Prigozhin's legacy on Russia's global strategy. Show Notes: You can contact Dr. Ladd Serwat directly on his...

Join us on "The Focus" as we dive deep into the Ukrainian Kursk Incursion with Commander of the Royal Danish Navy and YouTuber, Anders Puck Nielsen. This episode provides expert analysis on Russian military tactics and the strategic implications for the region. Captain Nielsen brings his extensive knowledge to discuss the size and scope of Russian forces, those of Ukraine as well as the unsettling...

Join us on  The Focus  as we delve into the world of deception and skullduggery surrounding the failed Franco-Australian Submarine Deal. Investigative journalist and author Andrew J. Fowler exposes the hidden truths and political manoeuvres that jeopardised Australia's sovereignty and led us to AUKUS. Don't miss this eye-opening episode! Show Notes: Connect with Andrew on X - @AndrewJFowler Buy An...

Are We Ready for AI to Surpass Human Intelligence by 2045?   Join The Focus Podcast with technologist Evanna Hu as we delve into how AI developments, and AI regulation will impact on our future! Show Notes: Omelas Website – https://www.omelas.io/#1 Evanna’s bio: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/expert/evanna-hu/ Scowcroft Centre for Strategy & Security https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/programs/s...

Join us on  The Focus  as Dr. Alice Yang dives deep into the volatile dynamics of Taiwan's political landscape, its tense relationship with China, and what the future holds for this strategic island nation. Don't miss this eye-opening discussion that uncovers the real stakes and hidden narratives behind one of Asia's most critical geopolitical issues!   Show Notes: Dr. Alice Yang Bio: https://inds...

Join us on  The Focus as we delve into a gripping conversation with Dr. Andrew A. Michta, senior fellow and director of the Scowcroft Strategy Initiative at the Atlantic Council. In this episode, we explore the pivotal moments in history that have shaped our world and discuss the urgent strategic decisions facing the U.S. and its allies today. Andrew’s Politico Article: The West’s biggest vulnerab...

Get ready for an explosive episode with investigative journalist Andrew J. Fowler as we uncover Julian Assange's path to freedom and his future moves. Show Notes Books by Andrew J. Fowler -  Nuked: The Submarine Fiasco that Sank Australia’s Sovereignty, 2024 (New Edition) The Most Dangerous Man in the World: Julian Assange and WikiLeaks Fight for Freedom, 2020 Secret Australia – contributor, 2020...

Join us for an exclusive dive into the July 4, 2024 British election with UK political warhorse Chris Mullin! From insider perspectives to strategic analysis, unlock the secrets of UK politics in our latest podcast episode. Listen now and stay ahead of the electoral game!   Show Notes: Books by Chris Mullin –  1982 A Very British Coup 1986, Error of Judgement 2009, A View from the Foothills 2010,...

Join us for an electrifying episode as John reunites with Harvard's esteemed Professor Avi Loeb! It's been almost 11 months since their last conversation, and the world of UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) has been buzzing with groundbreaking developments. From a U.S. Congressional Inquiry shaking up the discourse to the dramatic resignation of the head of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Offi...

The upcoming U.S. presidential election between incumbent Democrat Joe Biden & presumptive Republican candidate, former president Donald Trump is likely to be a bang-up contest between two very old men. The most pressing touch-button issue they’ll be facing is the number of undocumented arrivals from Mexico and Latin America. Both candidates admit the current American migration system is broke...

In this episode, John speaks with former Executive Director of Human Right’s Watch (HRW) & Princeton’s Prof. Kenneth Roth on Netanyahu v. Hamas. In a war known for having broken the laws of war on both sides, can anyone really say either Hamas or Netanyahu holds the moral high ground? Show notes: The Roth & Sparrow piece in Foreign Policy (February 2024) can be seen here -  https://foreign...

🔥 Unraveling Yemen's Political Maze: The Shocking Truth Revealed! 💥 Brace yourselves for an eye-opening conversation that shatters every preconceived notion about Yemen! In an exclusive episode, John delves deep into the heart of Yemen's political labyrinth with none other than the European Institute of Peace's Senior Advisor, Hisham Al-Omeisy. 🌍 Prepare to have your worldview rocked as Hisham...

In this episode John speak with Associate Fellow of the German Council on Foreign Relations, Dr. Karl-Heinz Kamp. Karl-Heinz is a specialist on German foreign and strategic policy and we’ll be delving deep into what appears to be a German military resurgence in Europe. Will this strengthen the Continent, will it be destabilising? And probably most importantly can it be sustained? Links German Coun...

In this episode, John is again joined by US Army LTG Ben Hodges (Ret.) where they discuss noted historian, author and commentator, Professor Niall Ferguson’s notion that we are currently in Cold War 2.0. Show Notes -  For those of you who’d like to know more about the work of The Alphen Group (TAG), please access via the following Link:  https://thealphengroup.com/ Our interview on the darker aspe...

In this espisode, the first one for 2024, we start off hot by speaking with Scott Lucas on events in the Middle East from Gaza to Lebanon and from Yemen to Jordan and Iran, why have things gone so wrong and what lies ahead? Scott’s latest piece in The Conversation can be found -  here 927 Magazine can be found -  here Scott’s website EA Worldview can be found -  here See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

In this, our last episode for 2023, we have a treat for all you geopolitical junkies out there! We speak to Jonathan Powell, former Chief of Staff to the Blair government (1997-2007). 2024 will be a big year of elections around the world. One of which, the U.S. presidential election, due in November of next year, will prove decisive for a whole bunch of countries and may impact on our futures in a...

In this episode, one of the last for 2023, we take a lighter turn as John speaks with Prof. Kenneth Womack, Professor of English and Popular Music at Monmouth University, New Jersey, talking about his latest book – a biography on Mal Evans – the Beatles’ Mr Fixit. This is a fascinating look at the rock and roll industry in the 1960s, how it compares to that of today and the seductive, corrupting i...