The National Security Podcast

What parallels can be drawn between Russia’s democratic decline and challenges facing the US and other Western democracies?  What are the prospects for genuine peace after Putin's invasion of Ukraine?  With the US’ shifting priorities, how does Europe’s response to Russian aggression inform Australia’s own security outlook?  In this episode, Peter Tesch and Mikhail Zygar join Rory Medcalf for a discussion on the evolving role and influence of Russia in the global order, the impending challenges of the war in Ukraine, and the role that the US and Europe will play in this equation. Mikhail Zygar is a leading journalist, writer, commentator, filmmaker and expert on Russian affairs. He was also the founding editor-in-chief of Russian news channel TV Rain. Peter Tesch is a Distinguished Advisor with the ANU National Security College (NSC) and a leading Australian diplomat and policy official.  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.  TRANSCRIPT Show notes NSC academic programs – find out more Beth Sanner podcast: Security in transition: Trump’s America, alliances, and global stability North star: why Australia should look to Finland on resilience and preparedness War and Punishment: Putin, Zelensky, and the Path to Russia's Invasion of Ukraine  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. 

How is the shift in foreign policy under Donald Trump reshaping US alliances, and what does this mean for global security? To what extent is the US still a force for global stability? Could the new direction in US foreign policy under Donald Trump succeed in pulling Russia away from its partnership with China? In this episode, Beth Sanner joins Rory Medcalf to explore the Trump administration's approach to global issues – particularly in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, the evolving dynamics of US alliances, and the broader threat environment. Beth Sanner is a Distinguished Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC). She is a former US Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Mission Integration and was Director of the President's Daily Brief during Donald Trump’s first stint as President. 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.TRANSCRIPTShow notes·      NSC academic programs – find out more·      Australia confronts the new world disorderWe'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 exercise of judicial power shape national security law and policymaking in Australia? What legal safeguards exist to balance civil liberties and national security? Why do the principles of citizenship matter in Australia’s legal system and national security decisions? In this episode, Rebecca Ananian-Welsh and Sangeetha Pillai join Danielle Ireland-Piper to explore the separation of powers in national security law in Australia, the role of courts, and the challenges surrounding citizenship laws. Associate Professor Rebecca Ananian-Welsh is a constitutional law scholar and Editor of the University of Queensland Law Journal at the TC Beirne School of Law, The University of Queensland.Dr Sangeetha Pillai is a constitutional lawyer and writer, and an expert on Australian citizenship, migration and refugee law.Associate Professor Danielle-Ireland Piper is Academic Director at the ANU National Security College (NSC). TRANSCRIPT Show notes·     NSC academic programs – find out more·     Reassessing national security law for modern threats·     Why national security law is “more than the sum of its parts” 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.  

Why is everyone suddenly talking about Greenland? How will Arctic security be impacted by rising great power competition? How have US neighbours and allies responded?  In this episode, Iselin Németh Winther and Heather Exner-Pirot join David Andrews to explore the evolving significance of Arctic security, the uncertainties for Greenland under Donald Trump, and the potential impact of Arctic power dynamics on global governance.  Iselin Németh Winther is a researcher at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute in Oslo. She specialises in the geopolitics and security dynamics of the Arctic.Dr Heather Exner-Pirot is a Senior Fellow and Director of Energy, Natural Resources and Environment at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute in Ottawa and Managing Editor of The Arctic Yearbook.David Andrews is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC). TRANSCRIPT Show notes·      NSC academic programs – find out more·      We Went to Greenland to Ask About a Trump Takeover·      Why Donald Trump wants Greenland·      The long struggle for Greenland 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 BRICS primarily a challenge to Western-led institutions, or does it serve a broader purpose in global governance? How effective has BRICS been at pursuing its objectives? Does BRICS membership provide newer states with greater strategic influence through engagement with major economies like China, India, and Russia?  In this episode, Flavia Zimmermann and Fitriani join David Andrews to explore the evolving role of BRICS, its effectiveness, and its potential influence on global governance and power dynamics.  Dr Flavia Bellieni Zimmermann is a Lecturer in Public Policy in the school of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne and an international political analyst. Dr Fitriani is a senior analyst with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute's Cyber, Technology and Security program, specialising in hybrid threats in the Indo-Pacific, as well as foreign policy and non-traditional security issues. David Andrews is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC). TRANSCRIPT Show notes NSC academic programs – find out more Joining BRICS, Indonesia sticks with multi-alignment strategy BRICS 2025 2025 UNFCCC COP 30  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 should Australia strengthen engagement with Africa?How do perceptions of Africa influence Australia’s approach to bilateral and regional partnerships, and what opportunities might we be overlooking?How do African nations view China? And how does China shape the dynamics of African geopolitics? In this episode, Babatunde Obamamoye, Matthew Neuhaus and Lisa Filipetto join David Andrews and Melissa Permezel to discuss opportunities and barriers to Africa–Australia relations and the role of perception in engagement.Dr Babatunde Obamamoye is a sessional lecturer in the Department of International Relations at the Australian National University (ANU).  Matthew Neuhaus is an Honorary Professor at the ANU College of Law.  Lisa Filipetto AM is a former United Nations Assistant Secretary General, leading the UN Peace Operations Support Mission in Somalia from 2018 to 2023.  David Andrews is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC). Dr Melissa Permezel is an Advisor at NSC’s Futures Hub and the convenor of NSC’s Africa Working Group.  TRANSCRIPTShow notes  NSC academic programs – find out more Matthew Neuhaus: Australia needs to take Africa seriously – really, this time Ibrahim Index of African Governance   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 can fiction and storytelling effectively engage the public with the complex challenges of national security?How does storytelling bridge gaps in historical narratives and deepen our understanding of contemporary conflicts?How can fiction help project future scenarios and explore potential outcomes? In this episode, Misha Zelinsky and Mick Ryan join David Andrews to explore the intersection of fiction and national security – sharing personal experiences on how storytelling can shape public perceptions, and inspire action in the realm. Misha Zelinsky is an Expert Associate with the ANU National Security College. He is a leading authority on the rise of global authoritarianism, a Fulbright Scholar, economist, lawyer, and author.Major General (Retd) Mick Ryan AM is a Senior Fellow for Military Studies in the Lowy Institute’s International Security Program. He spent 35 years in the Australian Army and had the honour of commanding soldiers at multiple levels.David Andrews is a Senior Policy Advisor at NSC. TRANSCRIPTShow notes:  NSC academic programs – find out moreThe Sun Will Rise by Misha ZelinskyWhite Sun War: The Campaign for Taiwan by Mick RyanZero Day (Taiwanese TV show) 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.

Only three percent of Australian adults were able to demonstrate the ability to verify information online, in a recent study. How can media literacy help inoculate citizens against mis- and disinformation?  Why are critical thinking and media skills essential in a thriving democracy? And how can best-practice examples from around the globe and leading domestic research help shape the recently announced National Media Literacy Strategy?  In this episode, Tanya Notley and Sora Park join Tim Wilford to discuss Australian media habits, media literacy, and how people can better equip themselves to identify mis/disinformation.  Professor Sora Park is a Professor of Communication and a Professorial Research Fellow at the University of Canberra's News and Media Research Centre. Associate Professor Tanya Notley is an Associate Professor at Western Sydney University's Institute for Culture and Society. Tim Wilford is Senior Manager, Policy and Engagement at the ANU National Security College. TRANSCRIPT  Show notes:  NSC academic programsDigital news report: Australia Adult media literacy in 2024News and young AustraliansTowards a national media literacy strategyOnline misinformation in AustraliaNews media assistance program Media literacy and education in Finland The full list of materials on media literacy can be found here. 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 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.