As President Trump commences his second term in office, he faces a far more contested geopolitical environment than during his first term. From an unresolved war in Ukraine to the war in Gaza, many items will be on Trump’s foreign policy agenda whether he likes it or not.

How could he seek to end the war in Ukraine? What level of priority should be placed on relations with China? What should allies and partners do to work with this new administration on foreign policy priorities?

Heino Klinck joined the USSC Briefing Room podcast to discuss these questions with USSC Director of Impact and Engagement Mari Koeck. Heino is a global strategist, business executive, retired US Army colonel and defence policy expert. Importantly, he served in the first Trump administration.

NB: This episode was recorded before the Israel-Hamas ceasefire was announced.

If you enjoyed this discussion, you may also want to watch the recordings of Heino at USSC’s Sydney International Strategy Forum 2024:

· What we need to know about the new Trump administration

· How do we approach the security challenges of 2025?

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Produced by: Elliott Brennan

Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

India has accelerated port infrastructure projects to counter China’s Belt and Road initiative and enhanced connectivity and trade facilitation could boost GDP from 0.4% to 10.6% in South Asia. In an era of heightened competition, improved port infrastructure is one of the most effective ways to diversify and de-risk supply chains, yet Australia has been notably absent from Indian Ocean infrastructure projects.

What are the risks if China has a monopoly on port improvements in the Indian Ocean? What difference could Australia’s expertise make for port development? How would improved ports help Australia, America and other allies and partners?

Maitri Fellow Riya Sinha sat down with Director of Research Jared Mondschein to discuss these issues and her new report: Building bridges across the Indian Ocean: Australia-India cooperation for port development.

Sinha’s Maitri Fellowship was supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

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Produced by: Elliott Brennan

Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

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.

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Produced by: Elliott Brennan

Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

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.

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Produced by: Elliott Brennan

Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

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.

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Produced by: Elliott Brennan

Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

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.

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Produced by: Elliott Brennan

Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

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.

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Produced by: Elliott Brennan

Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

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.

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Produced by: Elliott Brennan
Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat