The National Security Podcast

Why is the resilience of Australia’s democracy critical to our freedom and privilege?  What challenges does social media pose to the functioning of our democracy? How do tears in our social fabric exacerbate anti-democratic behaviour? In this episode, Tom Rogers and Clare O’Neil discuss the importance of, and challenges facing, elections and democracy. With framing introductions from Rory Medcalf and Genevieve Bell. Note: This episode was recorded from a public session, ‘The Future of Elections,’ part of a two-day conference hosted by the ANU National Security College in partnership with the Australian Electoral Commission and International IDEA.   Tom Rogers is the Australian Electoral Commissioner  The Hon Claire O’Neil MP is the Minster for Home Affairs and Cyber Security  Professor Genevieve Bell is the Vice-Chancellor and President of the Australian National University Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of NSC. 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 more Full version with panel and Q&A - The future of elections and Australian democracy 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.   

Is terrorism becoming a more prevalent threat in Western societies, or are we getting better at identifying potential terrorists and extremists? How are terrorist and extremist groups taking advantage of a new, more connected world to further their objectives? Has there been a shift towards embracing the role of women in both terrorist organisations and the intelligence community?   In this episode, Bruce Hoffman, Amira Jadoon, and Aaron Zelin join Bianca Birdsall to discuss international terrorist incidents, the looming threat of domestic extremism, and the shifting counterterrorism landscape – from gender roles to technology advancements.  Professor Bruce Hoffman is a tenured professor in Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and is currently the Shelby Collum and Katherine W. Davis Senior Fellow for Counterterrorism and Homeland Security at the Council on Foreign Relations. Dr Amira Jadoon is an Assistant Professor in the department of Political Science at Clemson University, previously working at the U.S. Military Academy, jointly appointed in the department of Social Sciences and the Combating Terrorism Center. Dr Aaron Zelin is the Gloria and Ken Levy Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, where he also directs the Islamic State Worldwide Activity Map project.  Bianca Birdsall is a Senior Advisor at the ANU National Security College.Show notes:  ANU National Security College academic programs: find out more God, Guns, and Sedition by Bruce Hoffman and Jacob Ware Your Sons are at your service by Aaron Zelin The Islamic State in Afghanistan and Pakistan: Strategic Alliances and Rivalries by Amira Jadoon with Andrew Mines 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 are the dynamics behind the sudden raft of economic security challenges Australia is confronting?  What policy and institution settings need to be redesigned for the new world we find ourselves in?  How can Australia look to diversify its trade and resources in order to steer clear of global supply chain tensions?  In this session, Jeffrey Wilson, Tania Constable, Swati Dave, Darren Lim, Helen Mitchell, and Christopher Flynn assess Australia’s economic readiness to deal with future strategic shocks and the importance of building economic resilience, securing supply chains, and protecting critical sectors.  Dr Jeffrey Wilson is the Director of Research and Economics at Australian Industry Group  Tania Constable PSM is the CEO of the Minerals Council of Australia  Swati Dave is the Advisory Board Chair at the Centre for Australia-India Relations  Dr Darren Lim is a Senior Lecturer at the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences  Helen Mitchell is a Sir Roland Wilson Scholar at the ANU National Security College  Christopher Flynn is a Partner at Gilbert + Tobin Show notes ANU National Security College academic programs: find out more Full version with Q&A - Economic security: shocks, preparedness and resilience  Unlocking economic security: A strategic playbook for Australia by Helen Mitchell Note: This episode was recorded during NSC’s Securing our Future conference on 9 April 2024. 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 social licence a licence for? What are the public signing up to? How do other nations restructure the national security discussion to involve people, rather than just informing them? As a diverse and multicultural nation, how can we use technology to broaden public consultation?    In this episode, James Brown, Dai Le, Christian Fjäder, Lisa Singh, and James Mortensen join Duncan Lewis to discuss the role of social licence, how it is generated, and how much licence is enough. They explore lessons from comparable liberal democracies and Australia's own history in achieving lasting policy support.   James Brown is the Chairman of Invictus Australia.   Dai Le MP is the independent Federal Member for Fowler. Dr Christian Fjäder is the CEO of Geostrategic Intelligence Group. The Hon Lisa Singh is the CEO of the Australia India Institute. Dr James Mortensen is a Lecturer and the HDR Program Coordinator at the ANU National Security College (NSC). Professor Duncan Lewis AO DSC CSC is a Professor in the Practice of National Security at NSC.  Note: This episode was recorded during NSC’s Securing our Future conference, 9-10 April 2024.      Show notes:   Full version with Q&A – Social licence for national security: what’s the mandate? ANU National Security College 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 are the objectives of China’s foreign and security policies under Xi Jinping?  What is the role of Australia and other middle powers in responding to Chinese actions in the Indo-Pacific?  Are the United States’ China policies set to change with future shifts in the international order?   In this episode, Sheena Chestnut Greitens and Dan Blumenthal join David Andrews to discuss the drivers of the China and the United States’ security policies, the role of China in the international order, middle powers, and deterrence.  Sheena Chestnut Greitens is an Associate Professor at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently a Visiting Associate Research Professor of Indo-Pacific Security at the United States Army War College.  Dan Blumenthal is a Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he focuses on East Asian security in Sino-American relations, and a Distinguished Visting Professor at the US Naval War College.  David Andrews is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College.  Show notes  ANU National Security College academic programs: find out more Playing both sides of the US-Chinese rivalry by Sheena Chestnut Greitens and Isaac Kardon From Coercion to Capitulation, How China Can take Taiwan Without a War by Dan Blumenthal et al 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.   

Is the decline of democracy being overblown?  How has social media reshaped democracy, for better and for worse?  How can the next generation of leaders sustain and strengthen democracy? In this episode, George Brandis, Tom Rogers, Atul Sharma, and Ketty Chen join Janine O’Flynn to discuss elections, institutions, opportunities, and challenges for democracy in the coming years. Professor The Hon George Brandis KC is a Professor in the Practice of National Security, Policy and Law at the ANU National Security College (NSC) and ANU College of Law. Tom Rogers is the Australian Electoral Commissioner.  Dr Atul Sharma is a member of the NSC Youth Council. Dr Ketty Chen is the Taiwan Country Representative and Head of Taipei Office at the National Democratic Institute.Professor Janine O’Flynn is the Director of the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy. Show notes ANU National Security College academic programs: find out more  Note: This episode was recorded during NSC’s Securing our Future conference on 10 April 2024. 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 likelihood of the AUKUS partnership expanding to include Japan, Korea, Canada, and New Zealand? How would this impact the strategic objectives of AUKUS? Should AUKUS be formally separated, and the partners instead manage nuclear submarines and advanced capabilities under different agreements? What are some challenges and risks to the future success of AUKUS?  In this episode, Justin Burke and Jada Fraser join David Andrews to explore the evolving dynamics of the AUKUS agreement, the potential inclusion of other nations in advanced capability projects, and the broader impact on regional security. Jada Fraser is the Indo-Pacific Minilaterals Fellow with the Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies. Justin Burke is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC). David Andrews is a Senior Policy Advisor at NSC.  Show notes:  AUKUS is America's Litmus Test for Integrated Deterrence by Jada Fraser  Let AUKUS be AUKUS: Is It Time to Separate Submarines from Advanced Capabilities? By David Andrews Australia’s Defence Strategic Review The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) ANU National Security College 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.  

How does distrust in democratic institutions and political leaders affect social cohesion in Australia?  Is the rise of authoritarianism within democracies a symptom of broader systemic problems?  How can democratic institutions in Australia counter challenges like terrorism, radical extremism, and threats to cybersecurity? In this episode, Misha Zelinsky, Lydia Khalil, and James Paterson join Jane Halton to discuss the current challenges and threats to democracy and its institutions, particularly in Australia. Professor Jane Halton AO PSM FAICD is a Distinguished Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC). Misha Zelinsky is an Expert Associate at NSC. Lydia Khalil is a Research Fellow at the Lowy Institute. Senator James Paterson is the Shadow Minister for Home Affairs and the Shadow Minister for Cyber Security. Show notes:  Full version with Q&A – It wouldn’t happen in Australia: can the centre hold? Keynote addresses by the Hon Clare O’Neil MP and Secretary of Department of Home Affairs, Stephanie Foster PSM at Securing our Future Edelman Trust BarometerANU National Security College academic programs: find out more  Note: This episode was recorded during NSC’s Securing our Future conference on 9 April 2024.  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 Independent National Security Legislation Monitor? How does it differ from other oversight bodies? And what are the legal and policy issues we are grappling with that have prompted a Secrecy Review? In this episode, Jake Blight joins Danielle Ireland-Piper to discuss secrecy laws, how they fit into the national security landscape, and his organisation's recent review.Jake Blight is the current Independent National Security Legislation Monitor, and previously an Associate Professor in the Practice of National Security Law with the ANU National Security College (NSC). Dr Danielle Ireland-Piper is an Associate Professor and Academic Director at NSC.    Show notes:  Independent National Security Legislation Monitor: Secrecy Review Background Legal literacy: This two-day program, co-designed with the ANU College of Law, introduces reading and using relevant legislation, how the Constitution affects national security laws, the role of international law and the ways our national security laws are made, amended and overseen. ANU National Security College 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.