The National Security Podcast

Kevin Yam has a bounty on his head. The Australian citizen, who lived in Hong Kong for 20 years, is accused of breaching the infamous national security law China imposed on Hong Kong three years ago. In this episode of the National Security Podcast, he joins Professor Rory Medcalf to discuss the future of Hong Kong, lessons from his experience inside its pro-democracy movement, and his concerns ab...

What are the common misconceptions some Americans have about Australia?   How has the Australia-United States alliance been affected by the changing international order?    And what might the future of this relationship hold, given increasing collaboration between the two nations?    In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Charles Edel joins David Andrews to exam...

How can cyber capabilities be used in atrocity prevention?    What role could AI and machine learning play in humanitarian interventions?    And how has the proliferation of social media contributed to violence against minorities?    In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Associate Professor Cecilia Jacob and Dr Rhiannon Neilsen join Dr Danielle Ireland-Pi...

Is Australia’s Chinese diaspora misunderstood? What challenges do Chinese Australians face when trying to establish a career in the Australian Public Service? And how can the national security community increase pathways for this community to enter, and stay, in this field of work?     In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Dr Jennifer Hsu and Yun Jiang join Olivia Shen t...

What does South Korea see as its role in the Indo-Pacific?  How does it view the nuclear threat from North Korea? And what are the opportunities that the Australia-Korea relationship presents for regional security and stability?    In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Dr Go Myong-Hyun and Dr Lee Jaehyon from the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, join Professor Rory Me...

What is the Australian Army doing to develop its robotic and autonomous systems capabilities?    How likely is the prospect of autonomous 'killer robots' taking to the battlefield?    And can the Australian Defence Force partner with industry for technical solutions while maintaining sovereign capability?    In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Colonel R...

How can a better understanding of the Islamic faith help strengthen social cohesion?    What steps can national security agencies take to ensure diverse communities feel valued?    And how can the public service more effectively attract and retain staff from these communities?    In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Islamic scholar and community lead...

What are the pathways for the United States and China to improve their bilateral relationship?  What might catalyse conflict between the two great powers? Is Australia prepared for this scenario – and will it take a crisis to find out? In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Dr Fiona Cunningham joins Gai Brodtmann to unpack the state of US-China relations and each country’s ability...

Why are Australia’s intelligence agencies growing their public engagement?   How are these agencies responding to an increasingly complex, challenging and dynamic strategic environment? And what are intelligence leaders doing to future-proof their organisations, workforces and capabilities? In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Director-General of National Intelligence, Andrew Sh...

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...

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 f...

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 D...

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 joi...

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 t...

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 d...

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...

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 o...

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 cre...

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...

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,...

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 e...

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 f...

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 vi...

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 o...

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...