The National Security Podcast

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...

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...

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...

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 discus...

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...

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...

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?&...

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 hu...

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 improve...

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? &nbs...

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...

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, f...

How does China’s leadership view the relationship with the US, and how has that perspective evolved over the years? How might China seek to take advantage of recent actions by the Trump Administration that have destabilised the international order? How should Australia respond to shifting US-China dynamics in the Indo-Pacific? In this episode, Chris Buckley joins Susan Dietz to discuss the evolvin...

Is Australia doing enough to make intelligence useful for policymakers, parliamentarians, and cabinet ministers?   How can Australia build an intelligence workforce with a diverse range of skills, interests and backgrounds, and reflective of our society?   How should Australia balance its intelligence independence with alliance integration?     In this episode Chris Taylor and...

What impact will cuts to foreign aid have on security in Southeast Asia and the Pacific?   Why is international development essential to Australia’s diplomacy and security outlook?   Do the recent Trump tariffs and withdrawal of aid demand a more active role for Australia and other middle powers?   In this episode Melissa Conley Tyler and Mira Sulistiyanto join David Andrews to unpa...

What are the biggest contemporary threats to food security? How do global shocks affect supply chains?   How will the Trump tariffs impact Australian and global food security?   How can Australian research help bolster food security in other regions?   In this episode, Alison Bentley and Dirk van der Kley join David Andrews to share insights into the current state of food security,...

Was China's live fire exercise off Australia's coast permissible under international law? What might have been the rationale behind this exercise? Does this fit into a bigger pattern of Chinese maritime coercion, or was it a standalone incident? What are the strategic implications for Australia of China's growing blue water naval capabilities? How should Australia respond?   In this episode J...

What parallels can be drawn between Russia’s democratic decline and challenges facing the US and other Western democracies?   What are the prospects for genuine peace after Putin's invasion of Ukraine?   With the US’ shifting priorities, how does Europe’s response to Russian aggression inform Australia’s own security outlook?    In this episode, Peter Tesch and Mikhail Zygar jo...

How is the shift in foreign policy under Donald Trump reshaping US alliances, and what does this mean for global security? To what extent is the US still a force for global stability? Could the new direction in US foreign policy under Donald Trump succeed in pulling Russia away from its partnership with China? In this episode, Beth Sanner joins Rory Medcalf to explore the Trump administration's ap...

How does the exercise of judicial power shape national security law and policymaking in Australia? What legal safeguards exist to balance civil liberties and national security? Why do the principles of citizenship matter in Australia’s legal system and national security decisions? In this episode, Rebecca Ananian-Welsh and Sangeetha Pillai join Danielle Ireland-Piper to explore the separation of p...

Why is everyone suddenly talking about Greenland? How will Arctic security be impacted by rising great power competition? How have US neighbours and allies responded?   In this episode, Iselin Németh Winther and Heather Exner-Pirot join David Andrews to explore the evolving significance of Arctic security, the uncertainties for Greenland under Donald Trump, and the potential impact of Arctic...

Is BRICS primarily a challenge to Western-led institutions, or does it serve a broader purpose in global governance?   How effective has BRICS been at pursuing its objectives?   Does BRICS membership provide newer states with greater strategic influence through engagement with major economies like China, India, and Russia?     In this episode, Flavia Zimmermann and Fitriani joi...

How should Australia strengthen engagement with Africa? How do perceptions of Africa influence Australia’s approach to bilateral and regional partnerships, and what opportunities might we be overlooking? How do African nations view China? And how does China shape the dynamics of African geopolitics?   In this episode, Babatunde Obamamoye, Matthew Neuhaus and Lisa Filipetto join David Andrews...

How can fiction and storytelling effectively engage the public with the complex challenges of national security? How does storytelling bridge gaps in historical narratives and deepen our understanding of contemporary conflicts? How can fiction help project future scenarios and explore potential outcomes?   In this episode, Misha Zelinsky and Mick Ryan join David Andrews to explore the interse...

Only three percent of Australian adults were able to demonstrate the ability to verify information online, in a recent study.   How can media literacy help inoculate citizens against mis- and disinformation?    Why are critical thinking and media skills essential in a thriving democracy?   And how can best-practice examples from around the globe and leading domestic research he...