The National Security Podcast

How can Australia continue to champion the rules-based order, while balancing its strategic relationships and defence priorities?   How is the government modernising the Australian Defence Force to address evolving challenges?   What is Australia doing to ensure it remains the partner of choice in the Pacific? And how does the NRL deal with PNG impact security in the region?   In this episode, Pat Conroy joins Rory Medcalf to discuss his strategic worldview, Australia’s ties with the Pacific and the Albanese Government’s continued push to invest more in the Australian Defence Force. The Hon Pat Conroy MP is the Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery and the Minister for International Development and the Pacific. Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of the ANU National Security College (NSC). His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia. TRANSCRIPTShow notes:   NSC academic programs – find out more    Address to the National Press Club by the Hon Pat Conroy MP Defence Strategic Review 2023 Address to the Hunter Defence Conference Gala Dinner by the Hon Pat Conroy MP   We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. The National Security Podcast is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.  

How does the United States' presidential transition process work, and how does it compare to the Australian electoral system? How might the election of Donald Trump impact US foreign and security policies?  How can Australia best engage with a new Trump administration on critical issues like AUKUS, defence strategy, and tariffs?  In this episode, Charles Edel joins Bianca Birdsall to discuss the election of Donald Trump to the US presidency, his proposed cabinet and staff nominees, and the security and foreign policy implications of a new administration for Australia and its region.    Dr Charles Edel is a Senior Advisor and inaugural Australia Chair at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.   Bianca Birdsall is a Senior Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC). TRANSCRIPTShow notes:  Listener survey: The National Security Podcast NSC academic programs – find out more Inflation Reduction Act | U.S. Department of the Treasury  We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. The National Security Podcast is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts. 

How does our strategic environment inform leadership in intelligence and national security? How do partnerships assist intel collection in an increasingly complex world?  What are the foundations of trust in a leader?  This episode is a panel discussion, hosted by Meg Tapia at the 2024 Women in National Security LIVE, features Kerri Hartland, Heather Smith, and Heather Cook. They explore leadership in a complex strategic environment, being a 'first,' and the importance of relationships in national security. Kerri Hartland is the Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service. Dr Heather Smith PSM FAIIA is the National President of the Australian Institute of International Affairs. Heather Cook is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission. Meg Tapia is an Expert Associate at the ANU National Security College.  TRANSCRIPTShow notes  NSC academic programs – find out more 2024 Independent Intelligence Review overview Australian Institute of International Affairs  Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Australian Secret Intelligence Service   We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au.You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. The National Security Podcast is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts. 

What is the relationship between national security and politics? How does national security policymaking differ from other areas of public policy?And how might the decline of major parties in Australia impact the national security policymaking process?In this episode, George Brandis – Australia's former Attorney-General and High Commissioner to the United kingdom – joins David Andrews to discuss the politics of national security policymaking.  Professor The Honourable George Brandis KC is a Professor in the Practice of National Security in a joint appoint to the ANU National Security College (NSC) and the ANU College of Law.  David Andrews is a Senior Policy Advisor at NSC. TRANSCRIPTShow notes:  Listener survey: The National Security Podcast NSC academic programs – find out more We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. The National Security Podcast is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts. 

What is the role of the Army in an era shaped by strategic competition?How is the Army adapting for wars of the future?Why is it important to build trust between the Army and Australian society? In this episode, Simon Stuart joins Rory Medcalf discuss the changing nature of warfare, and how the Australian Army is positioned to succeed in facing future challenges. Lieutenant General Simon Stuart AO DSC is Chief of the Australian Army.Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of the ANU National Security College (NSC). His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia.TRANSCRIPT Show notes ·        Listener survey: The Nation Security Podcast ·        NSC academic programs – find out more  ·        Defence Strategic Review 2023 ·        National Defence Strategy 2024·        A2/AD systemsWe'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. The National Security Podcast is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.

How will automated systems and artificial intelligence change the nature of weaponry?What ethical issues are at play when we discuss lethal autonomous weapons? Can weapons be programmed to follow the laws of armed conflict?How does public literacy influence perceptions of weapons systems?In this episode, Zena Assaad and Lauren Sanders join Danielle Ireland-Piper to discuss weapons regulation, and how artificial intelligence and autonomous systems changes the arms landscape.Dr Zena Assaad is a Senior Research Fellow with the School of Engineering at the Australian National University (ANU).Dr Lauren Sanders is a Senior Research Fellow with the TC Beirne School of Law at the University of Queensland, in the Law and Future of War Project.Dr Danielle-Ireland Piper is Academic Director and Associate Professor at the ANU National Security College (NSC). TRANSCRIPTShow notesListener survey: The Nation Security Podcast NSC academic programs – find out more UN Report on Governing AI  EU AI Act Responsible AI in the Military Summit Legal review of autonomous weapons systems   We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. The National Security Podcast is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.

How do electoral commissions balance public trust with the growing role of technology (like Artificial Intelligence) in electoral processes? Can AI be a democratic tool? How are the electoral commissions in Australia and UK dealing with threats like misinformation and foreign interference? Why is absolute independence important for the Australian and UK electoral commissions? In this episode, Tom Rogers and Vijay Rangarajan join Rory Medcalf to discuss congruent and colliding features of the Australian and British electoral systems: the role of losers' consent, the electoral commissions’ absolute independence, trust in democratic institutions, and influence of foreign interference come election time.  Tom Rogers is the Australian Electoral Commissioner.  Vijay Rangarajan is the Commissioner of the UK Electoral Commission.  Professor Rory Medcalf is Head of the ANU National Security College. His experience spans three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia.  TRANSCRIPTShow notes:  Listener survey: The Nation Security Podcast  NSC academic programs – find out more   Electoral Integrity Assurance Task Force  We’d love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. The National Security Podcast is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. 

How do negative portrayals of migrants and refugees impact social cohesion within a society? What is "crimmigration," and what are the issues with using criminal law frameworks in immigration contexts?Do political incentives shape the discourse on migration and distract from other security threats? In this episode, Alan Gamlen, Kate Ogg, and Dorota Gozdecka join Danielle Ireland-Piper to discuss "crimmigation”, why migration is a politically charged issue, and discuss High Court cases that have influenced Australia’s approach to migration and refugee laws.Professor Alan Gamlen is the Director of the ANU Migration Hub and Professor in the ANU School of Regulation and Global Governance.  Professor Kate Ogg is a Professor and the Associate Dean of Higher Degree Research at the ANU College of Law. Professor Dorota Gozdecka is a Professor of Law at the University of Helsinki in Finland.   Dr Danielle Ireland-Piper is Academic Director and Associate Professor at the ANU National Security College. TRANSCRIPTShow notes  Listener surveyNSC academic programs: find out more   Kate Ogg's bookDorota Gozdecka's bookAlan Gamlen in The GuardianMark J. Miller and Stephen Castles: The age of migration  Jim Hollifield and Phillip Martin: Controlling immigration: a global perspective Reyna Grande and Sonia Guiñansaca: Somewhere we are human: authentic voices on migration, survival and new beginnings William Maley: Australia's refugee policy: domestic politics and diplomatic consequences Professor James Hathway: The rights of refugees under international law  We’d love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. The National Security Podcast is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.