In this episode of the Contested Ground Podcast, produced by Lawyers Weekly's sister brand, Defence Connect, hosts Phil Tarrant, Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson, and Steve Kuper discuss the immediate aftermath of the US–Israeli strikes against Iran and the ramifications for Australia.

The trio lays the foundation for a mini-series of focused podcast conversations over the coming weeks to address the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on Australia and the Australian public. Topics covered by the trio included:

• The impact on social cohesion and the rise of foreign interference in Australia's diaspora communities.
• Australia's declining industrial sovereignty and the impact of contested, frayed and interrupted supply chains.
• The economic impacts of the conflict in the Middle East and Australia's cost-of-living crisis and the fuel security challenges Australia faces.
• The impact on Australia's key economic pillars and the connective tissue of logistic supply chains.
• Cyber security, disinformation and proxy activity in Australia.
• Migration and the challenges facing Australia's diaspora communities.
• Questions relating to Australia's geographic isolation and the psychology behind our "Tyranny of Distance" and the impact on Australia's security posture.
• Questions relating to what kind of "Middle Power" Australia wants to be.