The National Security Podcast

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 Medcalf to discuss South Korea's Indo-Pacific strategy and its implications for regional security and stability.  Dr Go Myong-Hyun is a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies.  Dr Lee Jaehyon is a research fellow and director of the Center for ASEAN and Oceanian Studies at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies.   Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of the ANU National Security College. His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia.  Show notes: Asan Institute for Policy

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 Robin Smith joins Olivia Shen to shed light on the Australian Army’s Robotic and Autonomous Systems Strategy, and how the team he leads is implementing the plan.  Colonel Robin Smith is the inaugural Director of the Australian Army’s Robotic and Autonomous Systems Implementation and Coordination Office (RICO) within Future Land Warfare Branch of the Australian Army HQ. Olivia Shen is Director in the Executive and Professional Development Program at the ANU National Security College. Show notes: Robotic & Autonomous Systems Strategy Robotic and Autonomous Systems Implementation & Coordina

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 leader Shaykh Ahmed Abdo, along with former Commonwealth Counter Terrorism Coordinator Tony Sheehan, join Olivia Shen to discuss how Australian governments can lay the groundwork of community engagement outside of crisis, in order to grow resilience and trust among diverse communities.  Shaykh Ahmed Abdo is an Islamic scholar and community leader in Sydney, as well as being a teacher and a mentor. Ahmed advises a range of government agencies on Islam and interfaith dialogue.  Tony Sheehan is a Distinguished Advisor at the ANU National Security College. He spent 32 years in government, including as

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 and willingness to resolve conflict through open communication. Dr Cunningham also explains how Australia could manage these challenges.Dr Fiona Cunningham is an Assistant Professor of political science at the University of Pennsylvania, where she studies technology and conflict in East Asia. Her research focuses on how countries leverage nuclear space, cyber and missile technology for coercion, with a focus on China.Gai Brodtmann is a Distinguished Advisor at the ANU National Security College, having previously served as a diplomat, defence consultant, Member of Parliament, Shadow Assistant Minister for Cyber Security

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 Shearer, and Director-General of Security, Mike Burgess, join Professor Rory Medcalf to discuss the state of Australian intelligence.Andrew Shearer is Director-General of National Intelligence and head of the Office of National Intelligence.Mike Burgess is Director-General of Security and head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of the ANU National Security College. His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia.Show notes: Director-General's Annual Threat Asse

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 their recently released book, Revealing Secrets: An unofficial history of Australian Signals intelligence & the advent of cyber.Clare Birgin is a former Australian diplomat and former Visiting Fellow at The Australian National UniversityJohn Blaxland is a Professor of International Security and Intelligence Studies at the ANU Strategic and Defence Studies CentreDr Will Stoltz is Expert Associate at the ANU National Security College and Senior Manager at CyberCXShow notes: Revealing Secrets: An unofficial history of Australian Signals intelligence & the advent of cyberANU National Security College academic

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 follows insightful opening remarks delivered by Richard Maude, Senior Fellow at Asia Society Australia, and former Director-General of the Office of National Assessments.Dr Carolyn Bull is Deputy Head of the ANU National Security College, seconded from the Office of National Intelligence, Australia’s peak intelligence agency.Richard Maude is Senior Fellow at Asia Society Australia, and former Director-General of the Office of National Assessments.Dr Euan Graham is a Shangri-La Dialogue Senior Fellow for Indo-Pacific Defence and Strategy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).Professor Rory Medcalf AM

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 Dean, joins Professor Rory Medcalf to provide an insider's analysis of the government’s latest strategic defence document. Show notes:  Defence Strategic Review 2023 Australian interests in a regional balance of power, National Press Club Address, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong The Defence Strategic Review: a revolution in Australian defence planning?, Stephan Fruehling, The Strategist ANU National Security College academic programs: find out more Professor Peter J. Dean PhD SFHEA was co-lead of the 2023 Defence Strategic Review (DSR) Secretariat where he served as

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 join Professor Rory Medcalf to discuss the Quad partnership at a key time for Indo-Pacific diplomacy. Darshana M. Baruah is a Fellow with the South Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace where she directs the Indian Ocean Initiative.Lisa Curtis is Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security.Nobukatsu Kanehara is Professor of Political Science at Doshisha University. He was previously Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of the ANU National Security College. His professional experience spans

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 the Korean peninsula in the context of Australian foreign and security policy. Dr Lauren Richardson is a Lecturer in the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs at ANU. Dr Michael Cohen is a Senior Lecturer and the PhD Convenor at the ANU National Security College.David Andrews is the acting Policy Manager at the ANU National Security College. Show notes: Rethinking the Potential for Australia-ROK Relations, AsiaLink, Lauren Richardson: read now ANU National Security College academic programs: find out more  We’d love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and sugge

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 directly impact domestic and regional security.Lieutenant Colonel Eileen Hall is the Australian Army's first Command Cultural Advisor to the Regional Force Surveillance Group.Dr Danielle Ireland-Piper is an Associate Professor and Academic Convenor at the ANU National Security College.Show notes:National Intelligence Community and National Security College Scholarship for Women: find out moreAstronomy, Sky Country, Karlie Noon, Krystal De Napoli, Margo Neale, April 2022The Uluru Statement from the HeartWe’d love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us

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 geopolitics of Antarctica.   James Mortensen is a Lecturer at the ANU National Security College. Isabelle Bond is a Research Assistant at the ANU National Security College. William Leben is a Senior Research Officer at the ANU National Security College. Show notes: ANU National Security College academic programs: find out more ANU National Security College, Policy Options Paper: Cold logic: getting intelligent about Antarctica Australian Antarctic Strategy & 20 Year Action Plan Antarctic Treaty System News article based on study published in Nature: Antarctic ice me

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 overcome these challenges?In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Associate Professor Darren Linvill from Clemson University and Associate Professor Will Grant from ANU, join David Andrews in conversation to discuss the state of disinformation and misinformation on social media.Darren Linvill is an Associate Professor and Co-director of the Clemson University Media Forensics Hub. He studies state-affiliated social media information operations.Will J Grant is Associate Professor at The Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science at ANU, where he researches the interaction of science and poli

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 unpack the Women Peace and Security agenda 23 years on from its creation.Jacqui True is a Professor of international relations and Director of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for The Elimination of Violence Against Women.Lisa Sharland is a Senior Fellow and Director of the Protecting Civilians & Human Security Program at the Stimson Centre in Washington DC.Gai Brodtmann is a Distinguished Advisor to the ANU National Security College, having previously served as a diplomat, defence consultant, Member of Parliament, Shadow Assistant Minister for Cyber Security and Defence and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence.Show notes: National Intelligence Co

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 the region and what it aims to achieve.Jonathan Berkshire Miller is Senior Fellow and Director of the Foreign Affairs, National Security and Defence Program at the Ottawa-based Macdonald Laurier Institute. He also holds concurrent roles as Senior Fellow at the Tokyo-based Japan Institute of International Affairs, and the Asian Forum Japan.Paul Chamberlain is a PhD candidate at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at The Australian National University. His research is on the role of navies in statecraft in the Indo-Pacific. David Andrews is the acting Policy Manager at the ANU National Security College. &n

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, are in the geopolitical driver’s seat? And how can policymakers keep up with this ever-changing industry?In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Bec Shrimpton from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, joins Katherine Mansted in conversation to explore the rapidly changing landscape of big tech.Bec Shrimpton is a Director at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, responsible for convening The Sydney Dialogue. Katherine Mansted is a Senior Fellow at the ANU National Security College, and the Director of Cyber Intelligence and Public Policy at CyberCX. Show notes: National Intelligence C

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 episode of the mini-series, Carl Chang from the Office of National Intelligence joins Olivia and Meg. They unpack what CALD is and its value in a security context, sharing stories of how they each ended up in the national security community. Carl Chang is co-leader of the Mission Management Division at the Office of National Intelligence (ONI) and is ONI's Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Champion. Olivia Shen is a Director in the Executive and Professional Development team at the ANU National Security College. Meg Tapia is Principal Director of Defence and National Security at Accenture Australia.Show no

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 for Social Research and Methods, joins Dr Will Stoltz to discuss the state of Australia's population and what needs to be done to prepare for an increasingly complex strategic environment.Dr Liz Allen is a demographer and Senior Lecturer at the ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods.Dr William A Stoltz is the former Policy Director at the ANU National Security College.Show notes: 2022 Population Statement, Centre for Population 2021 Intergenerational Report, Department of the Treasury ANU National Security College academic programs: find out more  We’d love to hear from you! Send in your ques

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 viewed, and what future cooperation could look like.    In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Professor Rory Medcalf is joined by Professor Caitlin Byrne and Professor Stephan Frühling, two authors of the recently published report, 'An incomplete project': Australians' views of the US alliance, to discuss their findings.  Caitlin Byrne is a Professor and Pro Vice Chancellor (Business) at Griffith University. Stephan Frühling is a Professor at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at The Australian National University. Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of the ANU Nat

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 on foreign interference and cyber security. The Minister also shares insights on the new role of the Department of Home Affairs in national preparedness for future international conflicts.  The Hon Clare O’Neil MP is the Federal Member for Hotham and the Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Cyber Security.  Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of ANU National Security College. His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia.  Show notes: ANU National Security College academic programs: find out m