The National Security Podcast

In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Emily Hitchman and Dr William Stoltz join Professor Rory Medcalf to unpack what ‘secret statecraft’ means in the Australian context and why it should be studied more. Call it intelligence, spying, or covert action, a whole realm of ‘secret’ statecraft operates out of the public eye in Australia, hidden by layers of classification, deniability, and...

In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Major General (retd) Duncan Lewis and Professor Caitlin Byrne join Professor Rory Medcalf to discuss the potential policy implications of Australia’s change in government. The 2022 federal election has brought a significant change to Australia’s political landscape. The election of a progressive Labor government led by Anthony Albanese ends nine y...

In this episode of the National Security Podcast , we bring you the fourth instalment of the Women in National Security mini-series, produced in collaboration with Accenture.  In her first-ever public interview in the role, Deputy Director-General of Capability and Corporate Management for the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) Catherine Burn joins Gai Brodtmann, National Security...

In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Policy Adviser at ANU National Security College Felicity Millar investigates several national security policy issues with expert commentators in the lead up to the 2022 federal election. With the 2022 federal election fast approaching, it’s time to assess the range of national security policies on offer to the electorate. In this episode, Felicity...

In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Anna Powles and Henry Ivarature join Rory Medcalf to discuss the controversial Solomon Islands-China security deal and the major challenges it presents for Australia and its neighbours in the Pacific.  The recently-signed Solomon Islands-China security deal raises many questions about sovereignty and the national interest – of Solomon Is...

In this episode of the National Security Podcast , we bring you the third 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 Head of...

In this episode of the National Security Podcast , the European Union and French ambassadors to Australia join Professor Rory Medcalf to discuss the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific ahead of the EU Indo-Pacific Forum, which will be hosted by ANU National Security College on 25 May 2022. Why does the Indo-Pacific matter to the European Union? What is the significance of the European...

In this episode of the National Security Podcast , James Mortensen and Anastasia Kapetas join Will Stoltz to explore the increasing threat of natural disasters in Australia and the role of the Australian Defence Force in responding to them.  In recent years, Australia has faced a series of devastating natural disasters – on the back of intense bushfires and cyclones, thousands of Australians are...

In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Tanvi Madan and Ben Herscovitch join Rory Medcalf in conversation to look at what impact the war on Ukraine might have on diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific. How should India’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine be interpreted? What has China learned from Russia’s strategic miscalculations? And how will the war shift the diplomatic landscape i...

In this episode of the National Security Podcast , we bring you the second 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 A...

In this episode of the National Security Podcast , His Excellency the Hon George Brandis QC, Australia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, joins Will Stoltz to discuss Australia’s relationship with the United Kingdom and the ongoing war in Ukraine. The UK-Australia relationship is at a high-water mark of trust and collaboration, cemented by the AUKUS Pact, the UK-Australia free trade agreem...

In this episode of the National Security Podcast , investigative journalist Sean Rubinsztein-Dunlop joins Will Stoltz to discuss his time reporting from the war in Ukraine and the importance of public interest journalism. Has the role of war correspondents changed following one of the most broadcast conflicts in history? How do reporters avoid enabling disinformation campaigns? And are citizen jou...

In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Helen Mitchell and Dirk van der Kley join Will Stoltz to examine the so-called unprecedented regime of economic sanctions targeting Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. What are sanctions, and how do they work in practice? Which, if any, of the sanctions imposed on Russia are unprecedented, and will they have the desired impact? And how might...

In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Sir Lawrence Freedman joins Professor Rory Medcalf in conversation to discuss Russia’s war on Ukraine. How could Russia’s war on Ukraine end? Is there a credible path to lasting peace? How concerned should the international community be about the nuclear dimension of this war? On this episode of the National Security Podcast , Professor Sir Lawren...

In this episode of the National Security Podcast , we are joined by Nina Davidson, Deputy Director-General Intelligence at the Office of National Intelligence, to bring you the first 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 mem...

In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Mick Ryan, Katherine Mansted, Rory Medcalf and Will Stoltz discuss their initial reactions to the unfolding conflict in Ukraine. Whether Kyiv endures Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion, or is overwhelmed, the lessons of this conflict will redefine global security for decades. In this episode of the National Security Podcast , former Comma...

In this episode of the National Security Podcast, we’re sharing something special – a taste of the new Women in National Security (WiNS) mini-series, produced in collaboration with Accenture. Join hosts Gai Brodtmann and Meg Tapia in lively conversations with Australia’s female national security leaders and rising stars. Each month, Gai and Meg give listeners an exclusive peek behind the national...

In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Dr Nathan Attrill and Dr Liz Buchanan join Dr Will Stoltz to unpack the evolving relationship between China and Russia and its potential impact on Australia. Just before the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting came as Russian forces amassed on the border...

In the first episode of the National Security Podcast for 2022, Head of the ANU National Security College Professor Rory Medcalf is joined by Royal United Services Institute Senior Research Fellow Veerle Nouwens to explore how the relationship between these two nations could adapt to an increasingly dynamic Indo-Pacific. With ‘AUKMIN’ – the meeting of the Australian and United Kingdom Defence and...

In this special final episode of 2021 – the 100th  National Security Podcast  – a team of experts from ANU National Security College examine the security dimensions of the year that was and, looking forward to 2022, explore what might be in store in the year ahead. As a turbulent year for Australia and its region ends, looking back at how 2021 unfolded has much to reveal about where nati...

In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Nadège Rolland, Jude Blanchette, and Charles Edel join Chris Farnham to explore how China views its place in the world. In the latest episode of the National Security Podcast , Chris Farnham speaks with Nadège Rolland of the National Bureau of Asian Research and Jude Blanchette and Charles Edel of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies...

In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers joins Head of ANU National Security College Professor Rory Medcalf in conversation. In the latest instalment of the Security Summit series on the National Security Podcast , Professor Rory Medcalf and Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers discuss the national security implications of electoral in...

In this episode of the National Security Podcast , The Hon Paul Fletcher MP – Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities, and the Arts, Member for Bradfield, and previously Director of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs at Optus – joins Professor Rory Medcalf in conversation. In the latest instalment of the Security Summit series on the National Security Podcast – Professor Rory Medca...

In this episode of the National Security Podcast , Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator The Hon Penny Wong delivers an address to the ANU National Security College entitled “Expanding Australia’s Power and Influence”. Following her remarks, she is joined in conversation by Professor Rory Medcalf. In this special event recording, Senator Penny Wong discusses Australia’s regional role and res...

In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Dr William Stoltz and Jennifer Jackett are joined by Dr Dirk van der Kley to discuss Shaping the Quad’s DNA , a paper he’s written for the Quad Tech Network’s QTN Series.  In the years ahead, biotechnology will be one of the most economically lucrative emerging technologies. Perhaps unsurprisingly, three ‘Quad’ governments – Japan, India, and...