The National Security Podcast

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.

Collective mobilisation is needed for an adequate response to climate change. How do we get there?How does climate change affect militaries? What role can technology play in mitigating the risks?What challenges does federalism pose in the effort to address climate change?In this episode, Tom Middendorp, Chris Barrie, Cheryl Durrant, and Sophie Lewis join Danielle Ireland-Piper to examine the critical link between climate change and national security, and what action is needed to mitigate the risks posed by it. General (Retired) Middendorp AO is the Chair of the International Military Council on Climate and Security and the former Dutch Chief of Defence. Admiral (Rtd) Chris Barrie AC is the former Australian Chief of the Defence Force and a founding and executive member of the Australian Security Leaders Climate Group. Cheyrl Durrant is the Former Director of Preparedness and Mobilisation at the Australian Department of Defence and a founding and executive member of the Australian Security Leaders Climate Group. Dr Sophie Lewis is ACT Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment.   Dr Danielle Ireland-Piper is Academic Director at the ANU National Security College (NSC).  TRANSCRIPT  Show notesListener survey: The Nation Security Podcast NSC academic programs – find out more  Tom Middendorp’s book – The Climate General  Chris Barrie’s report – Climate change, security and Australia’s Defence 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 

What is the significance of rare earths and critical minerals for Australia and its partners?  How does Australia’s conception of critical minerals differ from its partners? How do critical minerals lists reflect how those states view resource supply chains and vulnerabilities?  With China currently dominating the rare earths value chain, how can Australia protect its interests in this space?In this episode, Hayley Channer and John Mavrogenes join David Andrews to discuss critical minerals and rare earths and the geopolitical landscape surrounding them. Hayley Channer is Director, Economic Security at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney.  Professor John Mavrogenes is a Professor of Economic Geology at the ANU Research School of Earth Sciences.  David Andrews is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC).  TRANSCRIPTShow notes:  NSC academic programs – find out more  NSC's professional development program on rare earths and critical minerals Kim Beazley’s call for a rare earths and critical minerals ‘Pillar 3’ for AUKUS Jeff Wilson’s paper on how the Quad could play a coordinating role in this space  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 key takeaways from the 2024 Quad Leaders’ Summit?  The Quad has helped its members to align and coordinate key policies, but what more needs to be done to improve its ability to deliver on major initiatives?  Would the Quad benefit from pursuing a foundational treaty, agreement, or common branding, or is it better served by retaining its current, flexible approach? In this episode, Gaurav Saini and Kate Clayton join David Andrews to discuss the 2024 Quad Leaders’ Summit, and what the future may look like with incoming leadership changes. Dr Gaurav Saini is the co-founder of the Council for Strategic and Defence Research, a New Delhi think tank focused on foreign policy and security issues. He is part of the US State Department's Emerging Quad Think Tank Leaders program. Kate Clayton is a Senior Coordinator for Research and Programs at La Trobe Asia and the Blue Security Maritime Exchange.  David Andrews is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC). Show notes:  NSC academic programs – find out more  Joint statement from the leaders of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States Gaurav Saini’s article in the Lowy Institute Interpreter – with NSC's Dirk van der Kley.  

How can public policy better reflect the humanity and vulnerability of citizens? How can government leaders remain mindful of individuals within broader systems, and how does this approach improve public policy outcomes? How can governments foster ethical leadership and accountability while balancing political pressures and systemic challenges?  In this episode, Mark Crosweller and Margaret Moreton join David Andrews to discuss compassion, ethical leadership, resilience, and the tensions between individuals and institutions in the national security space.   Dr Mark Crosweller AFSM is a Distinguished Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC) and Director of Ethical Intelligence Pty Ltd.  Dr Margaret Moreton is Executive Director at the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience.  David Andrews is a Senior Policy Advisor at NSC.   Show notes:   ANU academic programs – find out more  Mark’s book -  Compassion in Disaster Management: The Essential Ethic of Relational Leadership IPCC – The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change    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 central logic of AUKUS from a UK perspective?How does AUKUS contribute to European security?How does AUKUS fit into UK defence interests and strategies in the Indo-Pacific?In this episode, Damian Parmenter joins Rory Medcalf to discuss the UK perspective on AUKUS: the strategic environment, Pillar One operational specifics, diplomatic engagement and legislation, and progress on Pillar Two.Damian Parmenter CBE is Director General AUKUS at the UK Ministry of Defence.  Professor Rory Medcalf is Head of the ANU National Security College. His professional experience spans three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia.  Show notes  The undergoing UK Strategic Defence Review  Australian National Defence Strategy  British SSN involved in search for Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 US International Traffic of Arms Regulation  Recent AUKUS agreement tabled in Australian parliament   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.

Considering new contributions to the Pacific Resilience Fund, is the global community doing enough to support Pacific Island countries?  How has the Falepili Union between Australia and Tuvalu been received more broadly across the region?  Will it be replicated?  How does the Pacific Policing Initiative fit within the Pacific approach to collective security? How can the Pacific balance the pros and cons of the PALM scheme?  In this episode, Maima Koro, Henritta McNeil and Joel Nilon join Bianca Birdsall to reflect on the 2024 Pacific Islands Forum, including the Pacific Resilience Fund, Pacific Policing Initiative, and the role of dialogue partners.  Maualaivao Maima Koro is the Pacific Research Fellow and academic co-lead of the Regional Perspectives collaboration between Adelaide University and the Defence Science and Technology Group. Dr Henrietta McNeill is a Research Fellow on Pacific security, geopolitics and regionalism at the ANU Department of Pacific Affairs. Joel Nilon is a Pacific Fellow at the ANU Pacific Security College.  Show notes:  ANU academic programs – find out more  Pacific Policing Initiative Power and Influence in the Pacific Islands – co-authored by Henrietta McNeill  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.