Episodes
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When talking about AUKUS, a majority of Australians think it is a good idea for Australia to have nuclear-powered submarines, but much of the public debate is around the cost and whether it is worth the money. One of the most significant aspects of AUKUS is the fact that the United States is agreeing to share some of its most sensitive nuclear technology with Australia, but this requires not just a strong foundation of trust between the two countries, but a regulatory and industrial ecosystem to support it.
What do Australia, the UK and the United States get out of the technology transfer in AUKUS? What changes are needed in the defence industrial base to support this? What are the biggest challenges facing defence industrial cooperation and integration between the US and Australia?
To discuss these questions, we welcomed director of the Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group and a senior fellow in the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Cynthia Cook to the USSC Briefing Room. Cynthia is director of the Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group and a senior fellow in the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). She has widely published on defence acquisition policy and technology development. She recently visited Australia to participate in USSC’s “Next Generation Leaders in the Australia-US Alliance initiative" and was supported by funding from the US State Department.
Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Produced by: Elliott Brennan
Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat
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Republicans have secured control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Congress authorises the budget, they have exclusive power to declare war and regulate foreign commerce and they authorise important foreign policy appointees. Even before the next Congress is sworn in, we are seeing Congress flex their power in considering President-elect Trump’s Cabinet nominees.
What will be the Indo-Pacific priorities for the next Congress? Where might Congress diverge from the White House? Are critical initiatives like AUKUS at risk of losing congressional support?
Director of Research Jared Mondschein sat down with Research Fellow Tom Corben and Senior Research Associate Alice Nason in mid-November to analyse the new Congress and what it means for the Indo-Pacific.
Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Produced by: Elliott Brennan
Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat
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After months of speculation and one of the most tumultuous campaigns in history, we now know that we will have a second Trump term, beginning on 20 January 2025.
How did what looked like a coin-toss election lead to such a resounding outcome? What can we expect to see in a Trump 2.0 administration? What should allies and partners do now to prepare?
To discuss these issues, on Monday of last week we welcomed two DC insiders on the podcast. USSC CEO Dr Michael Green is a former White House official and Non-Resident Senior Fellow Lester Munson held several positions on the Hill. They give their breakdown on the election results and what to expect based on their conversations with people close with the Trump administration.
Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Produced by: Elliott Brennan
Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat
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AI, energy security, critical minerals and supply chain issues are all inextricably linked with each other and with US competition with China. Erik Jacobs held several roles in the Trump administration including as policy coordinator for the US Department of Energy’s Office of Strategic Planning and Policy and as a policy advisor in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s National Security and International Affairs team.
How can governments maintain energy security as AI developments drive far greater demand on the grid? Does competition with China help or hurt US innovation? How should the next administration approach these emerging challenges?
Back in September, Erik Jacobs joined USSC Director of Research Jared Mondschein on the USSC Briefing Room podcast to discuss these issues.
This podcast is part of the United States Studies Centre's "Next Generation Leaders in the Australia-US Alliance initiative," which is supported by funding from the US State Department.
Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Produced by: Elliott Brennan
Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat
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From Iran’s hack of the Trump campaign to Taylor Swift deepfakes, technology is posing a more overt threat to the US presidential election. At the same time, it is unlocking new opportunities for innovation, economic growth and even record-breaking campaign strategies.
How have we seen technology affect the US presidential election this year? Where are the Trump and Harris campaigns on technology adoption and policy? How could AI and disinformation impact the period between election day an inauguration?
USSC Non-Resident Fellow Helen Zhang joined Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck to discuss these issues.
Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Produced by: Elliott Brennan
Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat
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In September, the United States Studies Centre released its annual public opinion polling report, Allies and partners poll 2024: Australia the United States and Japan converge on alliance and China despite US election uncertainties. The report surveyed Australian, American and Japanese public opinion on everything from AUKUS and industry policy to regulating AI and fighting disinformation.
How much do Australians want to abandon their US alliance if Donald Trump is reelected? Three years into AUKUS, what do Australians think about the trilateral partnership? How do views of Taiwan differ between the three countries?
USSC Director of Research Jared Mondschein and Research Associate Samuel Garrett joined Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck to discuss the results of the Allies and partners poll 2024.
Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Produced by: Elliott Brennan
Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat -
Matters of national security are increasingly stretching beyond hard power and into areas of economics, technology and energy. Critical minerals and the clean energy transition are now a core aspect of the US-Australia alliance and they are also playing a larger role in US-China competition, domestic politics and geopolitics around the globe.
How do critical minerals and the clean energy transition relate to national security? How could the US presidential election impact the clean energy transition? What can allies and partners do to work together on these issues?
Jane Nakano, Senior Fellow in the Energy Security and Climate Change Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) joined USSC Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck on the podcast to discuss these questions.
You may also be interested in:
Event replay | Climate transition heating up: The race for the clean energy transition in the Indo-Pacific with Jane Nakano, Australian Ambassador for Climate Change Kristin Tilley, USSC Non-Resident Senior Fellow Meg McDonald and USSC Director of Economic Security here.
Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Produced by: Elliott Brennan
Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat
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Despite years of circling in each other’s orbits, Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump only met for the first time on the debate stage on 10 September. Their face-off was the unofficial launch of the final stage of the US presidential election. It was an opportunity for both candidates to make their case to the country and seek to woo those critical undecided voters.
How has the campaign changed since the debate? Did the candidates accomplish what they needed to? Where can both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump go from here to secure the 270 electoral college votes they need on 5 November?
USSC Non-Resident Senior Fellows Bruce Wolpe and Lester Munson joined Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck to discuss the state of play in the US presidential election following the debate.
Election Watch 2024:
· The Democratic National Convention
· Reflections on the Republican National Convention
· New Cold Wars in a year like no other
· Trump v. Biden redux?
Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Produced by: Elliott Brennan
Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat
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Today, we're sharing a replay of our episode from 9/11 last year.
USSC CEO Dr Michael Green was working for the White House National Security Council during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. He describes the chaos of the evacuation and the significant changes for US alliances with Australia and others across the globe in the wake of the attack.
What was the atmosphere in the White House when they heard the news? What changed after 9/11? What did this mean for US alliances then and now?
Dr Green shares his inside perspective and reflections on how this has changed the Australia-US alliance.
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From the Quad Principles on Critical and Emerging Technology to AUKUS Pillar II, technology is increasingly seen as an issue of national security and it is playing a larger role than ever in US alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.
What is driving this technological cooperation? What can allies and partners gain by working together? What’s next on the tech agenda for the alliance?
USSC Non-Resident Fellow Jennifer Jackett joined Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck on the USSC Briefing Room to discuss these issues.
Publications by Jennifer Jackett:
· Laying the foundations for AUKUS: Strengthening Australia’s high-tech ecosystem in support of advanced capabilities
· Delivering the Quad’s tech agenda
· Defence review highlights urgency of tech reset
Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Produced by: Elliott Brennan
Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat
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Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times journalist David Sanger was one of the few journalists selected to ask President Biden a question in his press conference following the NATO Summit in Washington DC and has reported on Washington during the last seven US presidential administrations. His latest book, New Cold Wars: China’s Rise, Russia’s Invasion, and America’s Struggle to Defend the West, considers America’s global position in this pivotal time.
What might the 2024 election mean for global powers? What is the future of US-China relations? How is conflict playing out differently for US allies in Europe compared to in Asia? What should Australians be watching for in 2024?
To explore these questions, USSC Director of Research Jared Mondschein sat down with NYT’s David Sanger to dive into the central argument of his latest book, and what the 2024 US presidential election could mean for US allies and partners around the world.
David also sat down with USSC CEO Dr Michael Green during his visit for a public event discussing his new book. Watch the full event.
Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Produced by: Elliott Brennan
Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat
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This year, India held the largest democratic exercise in the world as 643 million people voted in their election. Prime Minister Narendra Modi won his third election, however, his party, the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), could not secure a majority in the Parliament, leading to the formation of a coalition government. The opposition secured enough seats to have a leader of the opposition for the first time in a decade, setting up a more contested framework for Prime Minister Modi to govern.
What do these electoral shifts signify about political trends in India? What emerging challenges will Prime Minister Modi face in the term ahead? How will these changes in India impact Australia and other countries in the Indo-Pacific region?
To discuss these issues, USSC 2024 Maitri Fellow Riya Sinha joined Director of Research Jared Mondschein on the podcast a few weeks ago. Sinha’s fellowship is supported by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She is also an Associate Fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) in New Dehli.
Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Produced by: Elliott Brennan
Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat
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Within a week of President Biden announcing he is ending his candidacy for a second term, Vice President Kamala Harris secured scores of endorsements, set fundraising records and secured enough delegates to become the presumptive nominee.
How would a Harris administration be different from the Biden administration? Who’s on Harris’ VP short list? Does Harris stand a chance against former president Trump?
To discuss these questions, USSC Non-Resident Fellow Victoria Cooper welcomed DC insiders and USSC Non-Resident Senior Fellows Bruce Wolpe and Lester Munson on the podcast. Bruce worked with Democrats in Congress during President Obama’s first term and Lester served in senior positions on the Hill, most recently as Staff Director of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Produced by: Elliott Brennan
Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat
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Former president Donald Trump narrowly avoided death when a bullet grazed his ear at a campaign rally on 13 July. The images of him rising, holding his fist high and chanting “Fight!” while blood streamed down his face instantly became iconic.
Donald Trump has been called a ‘strongman’ throughout his political career, how does this assassination attempt shape the mythology around him? What cultural factors contribute to his persona and perception at home and abroad? How could this change in his standing influence perceptions of him for the rest of the election?
USSC Non-Resident Fellow Dr Yancey Orr joined Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck to discuss these questions from a cultural perspective.
Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Produced by: Elliott Brennan
Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat
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Last week, NATO leaders gathered in Washington DC for their annual summit, this year celebrating the 75th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. However, much of Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s final summit was overshadowed by scrutiny of President Biden and then quickly followed by the assassination attempt on former president Trump and the announcement of his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance.
What was the main objective for NATO at this summit and was it achieved? Did competing for attention with President Biden and former president Trump hinder those objectives? What does the announcement of Senator JD Vance, one of the most prominent voices against aid for Ukraine mean for the future of NATO under a second Trump administration?
To discuss these issues, we welcomed USSC Senior Lecturer in US Politics and Foreign Policy Dr Gorana Grgic back on the podcast for a conversation with USSC Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck. Dr Grgic attended the NATO Summit again this year and offered her perspective on the experience in the room as the eyes of the world were on DC.
Recommended reading and listening:
USSC Briefing Room | Inside the NATO Vilnius Summit with Dr Gorana Grgic and Mari Koeck‘I don’t really care what happens to Ukraine’: what a JD Vance vice presidency could mean for the world by Ava Kalinauskas and Samuel GarrettRed Book | Blue Book 2024: A guide to the next US administration by variousRedefining NATO’s Indo-Pacific partnerships: cooperative security meets collective defence and deterrence by Dr Gorana GrgicSubscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Produced by: Elliott Brennan
Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat
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The US Supreme Court handed down their ruling in former president Trump’s immunity case and it granted far broader immunity than most experts anticipated.
Why was the ruling so expansive? What does this mean for Trump’s criminal trials? How will this change the presidency going forward?
To discuss these issues, we welcomed Chas Licciardello from ABC’s Planet America back on the podcast to follow up on his initial discussion with USSC Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck.
Read the full Supreme Court ruling.
If you can’t get enough of US politics, in addition to Planet America, check out Chas’ Planet Extra Podcast with Chas and Dr Dave, featuring Chas in conversation with USSC Associate Prof. David Smith each week: YouTube, Spotify, iTunes, Google and Stitcher.
Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Produced by: Elliott Brennan
Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat
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President Biden’s approval rating is at an all-time low and the number of “double haters” who want neither candidate is at an all-time high. The US system is driving the selection of candidates further and further away from the mainstream. Campaign financing contributes to this.
How did Trump and Biden become their party’s nominee with so little public support? What systems contribute to the polarisation of politics? Could campaign finance reform lead to candidates with a broader appeal?
USSC Director of Research Jared Mondschein spoke with Prof. Raymond La Raja, Professor of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts Amhurst, about his research into campaign finance reform.
Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Produced by: Elliott Brennan
Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat
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Joe Biden and Donald Trump’s debate in Atlanta was always going to be one for the history books. Never before had a general election debate occurred before the party conventions officially named them as their presidential nominees. But following a debate performance that even President Biden conceded was not his best, the most historical aspect of the debate was how many Democrats want to take advantage of the early debate timing and change their nominee altogether.
If Democratic primary votes already occurred, what’s the process for Democrats changing their candidate? Which Democrats will be the most influential in deciding Joe Biden’s future? Beyond Vice President Kamala Harris, who are Democrats to watch as potential successors?
USSC Non-Resident Fellow Lester Munson, a DC insider with extensive experience in the legislative and executive branches of government, speaks with Research Director Jared Mondschein on the potential pathways forward for an increasingly uncertain Democratic ticket.
Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Produced by: Elliott Brennan
Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat
Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Produced by: Elliott Brennan
Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat
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As American politics has become increasingly polarised, experts and analysts have explored avenues for electoral reform to shift voting to be more representative. One solution is ranked-choice voting (RCV), which is standard in Australia, but only appears in a fraction of jurisdictions in the United States.
Why is ranked-choice voting so rare in the United States? What is driving the movement to adopt it in more jurisdictions? How can Australia’s method of voting address “the fundamental issue in American politics” today?
USSC Non-Resident Fellow Prof. Benjamin Reilly is a scholar of electoral reform who has worked on reforms in a number of different US states. He spoke with Director of Research Jared Mondschein about the uptick in interest around RCV and the difference it can make in US politics.
Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Produced by: Elliott Brennan
Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat
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On 17 June 2021, President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, making the day a federal public holiday.
What did this new holiday celebrate? What role does Juneteenth play in American history? How is it different from Martin Luther King Jr Day?
To discuss these questions Senior Lecturer in American Studies at the United States Studies Centre (USSC) Dr Kathryn Schumaker joined Director of Research Jared Mondschein on the podcast.
Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Produced by: Elliott Brennan
Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat
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