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.

TRANSCRIPT

Show 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. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the notion of a single ‘global theatre of struggle’ gains traction, what are the major challenges that Australia currently faces?

How has Australia’s defence investment evolved over the years, and is the nation equipped to address today’s pressing challenges?

What steps can Australia take to strengthen social cohesion while navigating political compromise and disruptive forces?

In this episode, Andrew Hastie joins Rory Medcalf to discuss his formative influences, strategic worldviews, and Australia’s defence challenges.

The Hon Andrew Hastie MP is the Shadow Minister for Defence, Shadow Minister for Defence Industry, and Shadow Minister for Defence Personnel.

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: 

• NSC academic programs – find out more
• The Hon Andrew Hastie MP’s speech at Securing our Future
• What are the most underappreciated threats to Australia’s security?

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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).

TRANSCRIPT

Show 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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

TRANSCRIPT

Show 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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

TRANSCRIPT

Show 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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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).

TRANSCRIPT

Show notes

• Listener 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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

TRANSCRIPT

Show 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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.