Policy, Guns & Money

Just over a week ago, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute hosted The Sydney Dialogue, a global summit on critical, emerging, cyber and space technologies. Senior government, industry and civil society leaders from across the globe joined us in Sydney for discussions on policy solutions to the biggest challenges we are facing. On the event’s sidelines, we spoke to a number of special guests on topics ranging from Ukraine, international security, critical tech, cyber and defence capabilities, all with the common focus on closer international collaboration. We will release these conversations in the coming weeks in a special podcast series, The Sydney Dialogue Summit Sessions. In the first episode, ASPI’s Bart Hogeveen speaks to David Koh, Singapore’s Commissioner of Cybersecurity and the founding Chief Executive of the Cyber Security Agency (CSA) of Singapore. They discuss the formation of the digital and intelligence service in the Singapore Armed Forces as well as state behaviours in cyberspace and w

In a special episode of Policy, Guns and Money, we are grateful to be joined by Dr Yuriy Sak, Advisor to Ukraine’s Minister of Defence, for a conversation on Russia’s war on Ukraine. ASPI’s Bec Shrimpton speaks to Yuriy about transparency and Russian propaganda, Moscow’s decision to place nuclear weapons in Belarus and the path ahead. Yuriy shares his thoughts on China’s proposed peace plan, the importance of allies and partners in supporting Ukraine and an important lesson from history – “that pacifying the aggressor only leads to more aggression”. Guests (in order of appearance): Bec Shrimpton: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/bec-shrimpton Yuriy Sak: https://twitter.com/yurasak?lang=en Music: "Young and Free" by Jonas Hipper, licensed with permission from the Independent Music Licensing Collective - imlcollective.uk

Next week, ASPI will convene The Sydney Dialogue – the world’s leading policy summit on critical, emerging, cyber and space technologies. To give a preview of the discussions, Bec Shrimpton speaks to Professor Alan Duffy about opportunities in the space sector, Space 2.0 and the growing nexus between emerging technology and space. Continuing on the technology theme, Danielle Cave and Jamie Gaida discuss ASPI’s landmark project, the Critical Technology Tracker. Based on a year’s worth of research and analysis, the tracker looked at which countries are ahead in 44 critical technologies by published research – including defense, space, robotics, energy, biotechnology, artificial intelligence and quantum. China leads in 37 out of the 44 tech fields, with the US leading in the other seven. To see how other countries perform, visit techtracker.aspi.org.au. Guests (in order of appearance): Bec Shrimpton: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/bec-shrimpton Professor Alan Duffy: https://www.swinburne.edu.au/research/our-r

This week on the podcast, we are delighted to be joined once again by Becca Wasser from the Center for New American Security. Becca joins Justin Bassi for a conversation on AUKUS, integrated deterrence and US foreign policy. Becca details some of the strategic challenges Australia and the United States face in the Indo-Pacific, and how AUKUS can contribute to security and stability in the region. Guests (in order of appearance): Justin Bassi: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/justin-bassi Becca Wasser: https://www.cnas.org/people/becca-wasser Music: "Long Walk" by Ketsa, licensed with permission from the Independent Music Licensing Collective - imlcollective.uk

In this special episode, Justin Bassi speaks with Richard Fontaine and Lisa Curtis from the Center for a New American Security, and Alessio Patalano from King’s College London, about the strategic imperatives and future challenges of AUKUS. With the AUKUS optimal submarine pathway now unveiled, there are big plans, big promises, and a lot of work to do. Why do we need AUKUS? How do we improve information-sharing while reducing barriers to technology cooperation? How do we integrate our defence industries which are more accustomed to competing than cooperating? What are the opportunities for additional partners, including the Quad? And how is all this being explained to the public? To dissect these questions and more, ASPI has been holding a trilateral AUKUS dialogue in Washington DC with CNAS and KCL’s Centre for Grand Strategy. Guests (in order of appearance): Justin Bassi, executive director of ASPI - https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/justin-bassi; Richard Fontaine, CEO, CNAS - https://www.cnas.org/people/richard

After the long-awaited AUKUS submarines announcement, ASPI director Bec Shrimpton and senior analyst Malcolm Davis give their analysis of the decisions unveiled in San Diego on Tuesday AEDT. In conversation with David Wroe, Bec and Malcolm give their views on the role nuclear submarines can play in deterrence, the cost of the program weighed against the potential costs of underinvesting in defence, the need for an overhaul in skills-creation, the risks to AUKUS of information-sharing paralysis and future political headwinds, and the merits of the phased approach to the introduction of AUKUS submarines. Guests (in order of appearance): - David Wroe: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/david-wroe - Bec Shrimpton: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/bec-shrimpton - Dr Malcolm Davis: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/malcolm-davis Music: "Just Wondering" by Maarten Schellekens, licensed with permission from the Independent Music Licensing Collective - imlcollective.uk

This week, Brendan Nicholson talks to a stellar panel of guests about the future of peacekeeping and women, peace and security. We have United Nations Military Advisor General Birame Diop, the highest-ranking military officer in the UN’s peace-keeping operations Former Force Commander of UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, Australian Major-General Cheryl Pearce and Australia’s Defence Attache to the United Nations, Group Captain Jarrod Pendlebury. The panel discusses the evolving challenges to peacekeeping operations, including cyber threats, misinformation and disinformation, and how the UN is adapting to the changing threat landscape. They also talk about progress on the women, peace and security agenda, the particular skills that women bring to peacekeeping operations and the critical role women can play in peace negotiations. Guests (in order of appearance): - General Birame Diop. https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/profiles/general-birame-diop - Major-General Cheryl Pearce. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

Governments and industry are constantly innovating in the space sector, but as space becomes increasingly contested and congested, there is a need to ensure the space domain is secure – something that will be central to discussions at ASPI’s Sydney Dialogue on 4-5 April. Bec Shrimpton speaks to HEO Robotics’ Dr Will Crowe about the opportunities in space and the potential for Australia in the global space economy. How is climate change affecting food security in Australia and across the globe? Dr Robert Glasser speaks to ANU’s Robyn Alders about food security – what it is, why it matters and how Australia can work with international partners towards achieving global food security. Guests (in order of appearance): Bec Shrimpton: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/bec-shrimpton Dr Will Crowe: https://www.heo-robotics.com/about-us Dr Robert Glasser: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/robert-glasser Dr Robyn Alders: https://researchprofiles.anu.edu.au/en/persons/robyn-alders Music: "Just Wondering" by Maarten Schellekens,

One year on from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, David Wroe asks Paul Dibb, Emeritus Professor of strategic studies at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre in the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, how Russia’s war in Ukraine will play out in the coming months. They discuss Putin’s calculations and the durability of support from the West, as well as the implications of Russia’s suspension of the New START Treaty and the Russia-China relationship. Dr Alex Bristow speaks to Walter Russell Mead, Ravenel B. Curry III Distinguished Fellow in Strategy and Statesmanship at Hudson Institute and James Clarke Chace Professor of Foreign Affairs and Humanities at Bard College, about the US approach to foreign policy. They discuss where Australia sits on the list of US priorities, US thinking around Russia’s war on Ukraine and global support for Ukraine. Guests (in order of appearance): David Wroe: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/david-wroe Paul Dibb: https://researchprofiles.anu.edu.au/en/persons/paul-dib

Baani Grewal speaks to Ashok Malik, Partner and Chair of the India Practice at The Asia Group and ASPI Visiting Fellow. They discuss India’s foreign policy under Modi, including its relationships with the West, and China and Russia; and developments in the Australia-India relationship, including why it’s significant that the Raisina Dialogue is coming to Sydney. The information domain is critical in warfare, and given the rapid developments of technology, it is increasingly weaponised by adversaries. Dr Jake Wallis asks Janis Sarts, Director of the NATO Strategic Communications Center of Excellence, how NATO and like-minded countries such as Australia are faring in combating disinformation, and whether there is a model for deterrence in the information domain. Bec Shrimpton speaks to Netherlands Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Marcel de Vink about geopolitics and Australia-Netherlands collaboration. Bec asks the Vice Minister about the global implications of Russia’s war on Ukraine, NATO’s approach to in

As we approach a year since Russia’s February invasion of Ukraine, Justin Bassi speaks to historian and writer Olesya Khromeychuk. They discuss the resilience of the Ukrainian people, Olesya’s personal experience with conflict and what’s at stake for the international community in Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. ASPI Southeast Asia experts Dr Teesta Prakash and Dr Gatra Priyandita discuss the outcomes of the ASEAN Foreign Minister’s Retreat in Jakarta. They discuss priorities for Indonesia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN, including movement on Timor-Leste’s accession, as well as Indonesia’s potential approach to Myanmar during its time as Chair. Guests (in order of appearance): Justin Bassi: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/justin-bassi Olesya Khromeychuk: https://ukrainianinstitute.org.uk/team/ Dr Teesta Prakash: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/teesta-prakash Dr Gatra Priyandita: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/gatra-priyandita Music: 'Peaceful' by Crowander, licensed with permission from the Independent Music Licens

This week, ASPI was delighted to host General David Berger, Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps. Brendan Nicholson speaks to General Berger about the US-Australia alliance, military strategy and the importance of interoperability and how the ADF and the Marine Corps can work more closely together. Guests (in order of appearance): Brendan Nicholson: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/brendan-nicholson General David Berger: https://www.marines.mil/CM/Biographies/Bio-Display/Article/2478607/gen-david-h-berger/ Music: '4 Young & Free' by Jonas Hipper, licensed with permission from the Independent Music Licensing Collective - imlcollective.uk

In this special series, ASPI’s Dr David Engel and Dr Gatra Priyandita have spoken to a number of special guests about the Australia-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and the five pillars supporting it. In this final episode of the series, David and Gatra speak to the Hon Tim Watts MP, Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Dr Dino Patti Djalal, Founder of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia about changes in bilateral relations over the years, including developments in the defence relationship, and how the two countries can work together despite their different perspectives on strategic issues. Guests: Dr David Engel: www.aspi.org.au/bio/david-engel Dr Gatra Priyandita: www.aspi.org.au/bio/gatra-priyandita Dr Dino Patti Djalal: https://www.fpcindonesia.org/about-us/ The Hon Tim Watts MP: https://www.aph.gov.au/T_Watts_MP Music: Psychic by Ketsa, licensed with permission from the Independent Music Licensing Collective - imlcollective.uk

In the first episode of ASPI DC's podcast series 'Washington Talks,' Director Mark Watson sits down with Australia's Ambassador to the United States, The Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO, to reflect on his time as Australia's 22nd Ambassador to the United States and to discuss some of the most pressing strategic priorities for the Australia-US alliance. They explore how the Ambassador's childhood in Newcastle, Australia influenced his political perspective, his extensive experience in both the public and private sectors, and the new horizons for defence and diplomatic relations between Australia and the United States. Guests: Mark Watson: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/mark-r-watson The Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO: https://usa.embassy.gov.au/our-people/ambassador Music composition by Amelia Watson

Today we examine aspects of nuclear security. ASPI’s Dr Alex Bristow is joined by the Nuclear Threat Initiative’s Nuclear Materials Security Vice President Scott Roecker and Program Officer Jessica Bufford, alongside Australia’s Ambassador for Arms Control and Counter-Proliferation Mr Ian Biggs, for a discussion on the status of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, gender inclusivity, nuclear disarmament and Australia’s role in the global security context for nuclear arms control. Guests (in order of appearance): Dr Alex Bristow: www.aspi.org.au/bio/dr-alex-bristow Scott Roecker: www.nti.org/about/people/scott-roecker Jessica Bufford: www.nti.org/about/people/jessica-bufford Ian Biggs: www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/our-people/homs/ambassador-for-arms-control-and-counter-proliferation Music: "Long Walk" by Ketsa, licensed with permission from the Independent Music Licensing Collective - imlcollective.uk

In the fourth episode of ASPI’s special series ‘What’s In A Name? The Australia-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’, Dr David Engel and Dr Gatra Priyandita are joined by Senior Research Fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Centre on Asia and Globalisation, and leading Indonesian foreign and defence policy expert Bob Lowry, for a discussion on the defence and security dimensions of the Partnership. They explore the shared challenges of regional rivalry and terrorism the two countries have faced, how Australia’s relationship with the U.S. impacts its regional standing, and Indonesia’s stance on non-alignment. Guests: Dr David Engel: www.aspi.org.au/bio/david-engel Dr Gatra Priyandita: www.aspi.org.au/bio/gatra-priyandita Dr Evan Laksmana: www.evanlaksmana.com/ Bob Lowry: www.linkedin.com/in/bob-lowry-ba129716/?originalSubdomain=au Music: Psychic by Ketsa, licensed with permission from the Independent Music Licensing Collective - imlcollective.uk

In the third episode of ASPI’s special series ‘What’s In A Name? The Australia-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’, Dr David Engel and Dr Gatra Priyandita are joined by the Center for Strategic and International Studies Lina Alexandra and John McCarthy AO for a discussion on the diplomatic aspects of the Partnership. They examine the trust in the Australia-Indonesia bilateral relationship, The Lombok Treaty and cooperation in multilateral forums such as the G20, the East Asia Summit and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Guests: Dr David Engel: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/david-engel Dr Gatra Priyandita: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/gatra-priyandita Lina Alexandra: https://id.linkedin.com/in/lina-alexandra-b72712119 John MaCarthy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCarthy_(Australian_diplomat) Music: Psychic by Ketsa, licensed with permission from the Independent Music Licensing Collective - imlcollective.uk

Fergus Hunter speaks with Bonnie Glaser Managing Director of GMF Indo-Pacific at the German Marshall Fund, about the state of China and its relationships with the United States and the West. They look at the ambitions of the Chinese Communist Party, how nation states are responding to this, and the current state of Cross-Strait relations. Access to violent right-wing extremist online subcultures is easier than ever. Katja Theodorakis speaks to Miro Dittrich about the need to take digital public spheres more seriously, not only as spaces for radicalisation and the spread of disinformation, but also as places where these phenomena can be actively countered. Miro explains what authorities, society and social media platforms can do to prevent and push back against extremist attempts to dominate digital realities. Dr Alex Bristow is joined by Dr Anna Borshchevskaya, senior fellow in The Washington Institute's Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Program on Great Power Competition and the Middle East, for a discu

This week, it’s all about space! Recently, ASPI hosted international military, industry and academic experts for a series of events focused on space and national security. In this podcast, we are delighted to be joined by special guests Jeffrey Becker, Janice Starzyk, Dr Namrata Goswami and Dr Kevin Pollpeter for conversations on this critical domain. Dr Malcolm Davis speaks to Dr Namrata Goswami and Dr Kevin Pollpeter about China’s space capabilities and ambitions in space. They discuss China’s space industry, China’s lunar program and the potential for China to accelerate its lunar plans. Bec Shrimpton speaks to Virgin Orbit’s Janice Starzyk and Bret Perry about the history of Virgin Orbit and the company’s ambitions. They discuss opportunities for government and industry collaboration on space, including in the area of national security and defence, and how Virgin Orbit is supporting spacefaring nations. Bec is also joined by futurist Jeffrey Becker for a conversation on space futures and why future

Daria Impiombato speaks with ASPI Senior Fellow Vicky Xu about the anti-government protests sweeping through some of China’s largest cities. Vicky, who has spoken with protesters on the ground, gives up-to-the-minute insights into the protesters’ motivation and tactics, and discusses what the demonstrations mean for the Chinese Communist Party’s rule. Guests (in order of appearance): Daria Impiombato: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/daria-impiombato Vicky Xu: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/vicky-xiuzhong-xu Background music: Phychic by Ketsa, licensed with permission from the Independent Music Licensing Collective - imlcollective.uk