ASPI Podcast: Policy, Guns & Money

By The Australian Strategic Policy Institute

What's ASPI Podcast: Policy, Guns & Money about?

Policy, Guns & Money is produced by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI).

ASPI is an independent, non-partisan think tank that produces expert and timely advice for strategic and defence leaders. ASPI has offices in Canberra, Australia and Washington DC, USA.

Download our free app to listen on your phone

ASPI Podcast: Policy, Guns & Money episodes:

04.10.2024
Policy, Guns and Money – that’s a wrap!
After more than five years, ASPI is saying goodbye to the Policy, Guns and Money podcast. With over 200 episodes featuring interviews with experts from around the world, we are pleased to have brought you discussions on so many important...
02.23.2024
Offensive cyber operations; election integrity and disinformation
This week, Dr Alex Caples speaks to Emily Harding from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies about offensive cyber operations and how to respond. They discuss how governments are integrating cyber operations with more traditional military planning, as well...
02.16.2024
Myanmar’s junta under pressure; geopolitics in the Pacific
This week, David Wroe hosts a discussion on the latest from Myanmar, where the military regime that seized power in 2021 has recently enforced conscription amid plummeting military morale and steady pressure from armed resistance groups. ASPI’s Nathan Ruser and...
12.27.2023
Ukraine, the Quad and an Australian maritime strategy
In this special three-part episode: David Wroe speaks to economist, lawyer and author, Misha Zelinsky, about his new novel ‘The Sun Will Rise’, which is inspired by his experience covering Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the Australian Financial Review. They discuss...
12.22.2023
Air Force education, the WPS agenda and women’s rights
In this special three-part episode: Alex Bristow speaks to Brigadier General Linell Letendre, the Dean of Faculty at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. They discuss the long-standing Australia-US cadet exchange programs and the importance of STEM in...
12.15.2023
AI horizons: Navigating regulations, safety, and the use of AI
In today's episode: Following the recent AI Safety Summit hosted by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Bart Hogeveen speaks with the European Union's Senior Envoy for Digital to the United States Gerard de Graaf. They discuss the EU's approach to AI...
12.08.2023
How parliamentarians view cybersecurity and critical technology, with Gai Brodtmann
What do Australia’s parliamentarians think about cybersecurity and critical technology? In this special episode, David Wroe speaks to ASPI Chair and former parliamentarian Gai Brodtmann about the landmark study she led which canvasses the views of parliamentarians on cyber security and...
12.02.2023
Professor Ian Hall on India, Australia, and the region
On this week’s episode, Justin Bassi speaks with Ian Hall, Professor of International Relations at Griffith University and a renowned India expert. Justin and Ian discuss the recent Ministerial Dialogue between Australia and India in New Delhi – which was was...
11.24.2023
Australia and space with Australia's Defence Space Commander
In a special episode this week, ASPI's Director of Defence Strategy Bec Shrimpton speaks to Australia's Defence Space Commander, Air Vice Marshal Catherine Roberts, and Assistant Secretary of Strategic Plans in Defence Space Command, Jacinta Carroll. Our guests detail the importance...
11.17.2023
Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union, Philippines and the South China Sea
Last week, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Meeting in Cook Islands, where he and the Prime Minister of Tuvalu announced a major new agreement – the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union. In this episode, David Wroe...
11.11.2023
Albanese trip to China, economic coercion, and diplomatic relations
This week Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese travelled to China to meet with President Xi Jinping. Amongst the backdrop of warming relations between the two countries they represent, David Wroe speaks with ASPI executive director Justin Bass and new ASPI...
11.03.2023
Authoritarian AI, China and the metaverse
This episode is all about AI, emerging technologies and China. Dr Alex Caples speaks to Simeon Gilding about his ASPI report ‘De-risking authoritarian AI: A balanced approach to protecting our digital ecosystems’. They discuss the risks of Chinese AI-enabled technologies,...
10.24.2023
Indo-Pacific security & partnerships: India, Australia & the US with Lisa Curtis & Raji Rajagopalan
With Australian Prime Minister Albanese in Washington DC this week, and set to visit Beijing shortly after, Justin Bassi speaks to CNAS’s Lisa Curtis and ORF’s Dr Raji Pillai Rajagopalan for a special episode of the ASPI podcast. They discuss...
10.20.2023
Geopolitics in Southeast Asia; Australia-Indonesia relations
This week it is all about Southeast Asia on the ASPI pod. To kick off, Gatra Priyandita speaks to Thomas Parks from The Asia Foundation about geopolitics in Southeast Asia. While there’s a lot of attention on the US-China rivalry...
10.13.2023
Hacking for Cash: Nadia Taggart and Anna Aquilina
‘Hacking for Cash’ is a new ASPI podcast series exploring state sponsored campaigns of cyber espionage for commercial gain. Throughout the series we talk to experts who were close to the negotiations that led to a 2015 agreement between the...
10.06.2023
Defence innovation with Sean Singleton
In the third episode of our special series from the sidelines of the ASPI ‘Disruption and Deterrence’ conference, ASPI’s Alex Caples speaks to Sean Singleton, Partner & VP of Business Development at America’s Frontier Fund. They discuss innovation, challenges to...
09.29.2023
A modern look at deterrence with Brad Roberts
In this special episode, recorded on the sidelines of ASPI’s annual conference ‘Disruption and Deterrence’, Bec Shrimpton speaks with Dr Brad Roberts. Brad has served as director for the Centre for Global Security Research, and as policy director of the...
09.19.2023
The future of the international order with Kori Schake
In this special episode, recorded on the sidelines of ASPI’s annual conference ‘Disruption and Deterrence’, David Wroe speaks with Kori Schake. As well as being Director of Foreign and Defense Policy at the American Enterprise Institute, Kori is a contributing...
09.04.2023
Cyber conflict, competition and cooperation with Jason Healey
This week, ASPI’s Executive Director, Justin Bassi speaks with Jason Healey, Senior Research Scholar at Columbia University’s School for International and Public Affairs specialising in cyber conflict, competition and cooperation. Jason wrote and edited the book ‘A Fierce Domain: Cyber...
08.28.2023
Ross Babbage on deterrence and defence strategy; jailed terrorists and the risk of reoffending
As we fast approach ASPI’s 2023 conference on deterrence and disruption, this week’s podcast begins with a conversation between conference speakers Bec Shrimpton and Dr Ross Babbage about military, political and economic strategy. They discuss Dr Babbage’s new book ‘The...
08.18.2023
The Bigger Picture: AUSMIN 2023 with John Coyne and Euan Graham
Last month, Australia’s foreign and defence ministers hosted the U.S. secretaries of state and defense in Brisbane for the annual Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN). Dr John Coyne and Dr Euan Graham join the podcast for Part Two of ASPI’s...
08.11.2023
Hacking for Cash: Francis Gurry, Nigel Corey, and Elizabeth Chien-Hale
‘Hacking for Cash’ is a new ASPI podcast series exploring state sponsored campaigns of cyber espionage for commercial gain. Throughout the series we talk to experts who were close to the negotiations that led to a 2015 agreement between the...
07.27.2023
The Bigger Picture: AUSMIN 2023 with Alex Bristow and Jennifer Parker
In this special episode of Policy, Guns and Money’s Bigger Picture series, Alex Bristow and Jennifer Parker from ASPI’s Defence, Strategy and National Security program sit down to discuss the upcoming AUSMIN meeting in Brisbane. They discuss the significance of this...
07.20.2023
Hacking for Cash: Dustin McCormack and Callie Aboaf
‘Hacking for Cash’ is a new ASPI podcast series exploring state sponsored campaigns of cyber espionage for commercial gain. Throughout the series we talk to experts who were close to the negotiations that led to a 2015 agreement between the...
07.17.2023
Smooth Sailing in the Indo-Pacific, and strategic mapping in the Indian Ocean
In May, ASPI released ‘Smooth sailing? Australia, New Zealand and the United States partnering in–and with–the Pacific islands’. The report detailed how Australia, New Zealand and the United States could improve security partnerships and coordination in the region. This week, ASPI’s...
07.07.2023
Hacking for Cash: Chris Painter and Justin Bassi
‘Hacking for Cash’ is a new ASPI podcast series exploring state sponsored campaigns of cyber espionage for commercial gain. Throughout the series we talk to experts who were close to the negotiations that led to a 2015 agreement between the...
06.30.2023
US-Australia alliance: Special operations forces cooperation & strengthening the alliance
This week, it’s all about the US-Australia alliance with conversations on Australia-US special operations forces cooperation and opportunities to strengthen the alliance through enhanced mutual understanding. Bec Shrimpton speaks to Chris Maier, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and...
06.23.2023
AUKUS and critical minerals, with the Honourable Kim Beazley AC
This week, the Australian Government released the Critical Minerals Strategy 2023 – 2030, which has four objectives, including building sovereign capability in critical minerals processing and creating diverse, resilient and sustainable supply chains through secure international partnerships. New ASPI analysis...
06.15.2023
In-conversation with Home Affairs’ Hamish Hansford. Cyber security & critical infrastructure
This week, ASPI’s Director of Cyber, Technology and Security Dr Alex Caples speaks to Hamish Hansford, who was recently appointed Deputy Secretary of Cyber and Infrastructure Security at the Department of Home Affairs. They discuss the links between cyber security,...
06.07.2023
Defence Strategic Review & implications for the maritime domain; Delhi's role in the Indo-Pacific
In April this year, the Australian Government released the Defence Strategic Review which set an agenda of ambitious reform to Defence’s posture and structure. ASPI’s Jen Parker speaks to the US Studies Centre’s Professor Peter Dean, who co-authored the review....
06.02.2023
The Sydney Dialogue Summit Sessions: David Waterhouse
In the final episode of ASPI’s special podcast series ‘The Sydney Dialogue Summit Sessions’, ASPI’s David Wroe speaks to David Waterhouse, Managing Director of Hypersonix. They discuss how the company Hypersonix came about, what hypersonic technology is and how it...
05.26.2023
The Sydney Dialogue Summit Sessions: Kestutis Budrys
In the penultimate episode of this special series, Justin Bassi speaks to Mr Kestutis Budrys, National Security Advisor to the President of Lithuania. They discuss Australia’s relationship with Lithuania, including how they’re partnering to address shared challenges to national security,...
05.22.2023
The Sydney Dialogue Summit Sessions: Misha Zelinsky
In the latest episode of ASPI’s special podcast series ‘The Sydney Dialogue Summit Sessions’, ASPI’s Director of Defence Strategy, Bec Shrimpton speaks to Misha Zelinsky, a Fulbright Scholar and national security expert. They discuss Misha’s career background and what led...
05.12.2023
Beijing’s propaganda, climate and Australia’s national security, federal budget & Defence spending
In 2022, then U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, despite threats of retaliation from Beijing over the visit. Dr Samantha Hoffman speaks to Nadège Rolland about Nancy Pelosi’s Taiwan visit, Beijing’s propaganda, and its effectiveness. While climate...
05.10.2023
The Sydney Dialogue Summit Sessions: Dr Dirk Hager
In this episode of ‘The Sydney Dialogue Summit Sessions’, Dr Alex Caples, Director of Cyber, Technology and Security at ASPI speaks to Dr Dirk Hager, Head of Operational Cyber Security at Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security. They discuss cyber...
05.05.2023
The Sydney Dialogue Summit Sessions: Heather Richman, Linda Lourie & John Leslie
In this episode of ASPI's special podcast series, The Sydney Dialogue Summit Sessions, John Leslie, Director of Trade and Investment and Lead for Space & Defence at Austrade speaks to Heather Richman, Entrepreneur in Residence at BMNT, and Linda Lourie,...
05.01.2023
Unpacking Australia’s Defence Strategic Review
On 24 April, the Albanese Government released an unclassified version of the Defence Strategic Review. The roadmap for the ADF over the next decade has been generally well-received, albeit with questions about some of the specifics. The Review advocates the...
04.28.2023
The Sydney Dialogue Summit Sessions: Ylli Bajraktari
Earlier this month, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute hosted The Sydney Dialogue, a global summit on critical, emerging, cyber and space technologies. Senior government, industry and civil society leaders from across the globe joined us in Sydney for discussions on policy...
04.21.2023
Special: ICRC DG Robert Mardini & Norway's Military Representative to NATO, VADM Louise Dedichen
In this episode, Justin Bassi speaks to Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Robert Mardini. They discuss the importance of neutrality to the ICRC’s work, how the development of technology is impacting conflict and the challenges...
04.18.2023
The Sydney Dialogue Summit Sessions: Ambassador Baiba Braže
Earlier this month, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute hosted The Sydney Dialogue, a global summit on critical, emerging, cyber and space technologies. Senior government, industry and civil society leaders from across the globe joined us in Sydney for discussions on policy...
04.14.2023
The Sydney Dialogue Summit Sessions: David Koh
Just over a week ago, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute hosted The Sydney Dialogue, a global summit on critical, emerging, cyber and space technologies. Senior government, industry and civil society leaders from across the globe joined us in Sydney for discussions...
04.03.2023
A conversation on Ukraine with Dr Yuriy Sak, Advisor to the Minister of Defence of Ukraine
In a special episode of Policy, Guns and Money, we are grateful to be joined by Dr Yuriy Sak, Advisor to Ukraine’s Minister of Defence, for a conversation on Russia’s war on Ukraine. ASPI’s Bec Shrimpton speaks to Yuriy about...
03.31.2023
The Sydney Dialogue and opportunities in space, ASPI’s Critical Technology Tracker
Next week, ASPI will convene The Sydney Dialogue – the world’s leading policy summit on critical, emerging, cyber and space technologies. To give a preview of the discussions, Bec Shrimpton speaks to Professor Alan Duffy about opportunities in the space...
03.27.2023
AUKUS, deterrence and US foreign policy with Becca Wasser
This week on the podcast, we are delighted to be joined once again by Becca Wasser from the Center for New American Security. Becca joins Justin Bassi for a conversation on AUKUS, integrated deterrence and US foreign policy. Becca details...
03.23.2023
AUKUS challenges and opportunities with Richard Fontaine, Lisa Curtis, and Alessio Patalano
In this special episode, Justin Bassi speaks with Richard Fontaine and Lisa Curtis from the Center for a New American Security, and Alessio Patalano from King’s College London, about the strategic imperatives and future challenges of AUKUS. With the AUKUS optimal...
03.15.2023
Diving into the AUKUS submarine announcement, with Bec Shrimpton and Malcolm Davis
After the long-awaited AUKUS submarines announcement, ASPI director Bec Shrimpton and senior analyst Malcolm Davis give their analysis of the decisions unveiled in San Diego on Tuesday AEDT. In conversation with David Wroe, Bec and Malcolm give their views on...
03.10.2023
The future of peacekeeping and women, peace and security
This week, Brendan Nicholson talks to a stellar panel of guests about the future of peacekeeping and women, peace and security. We have United Nations Military Advisor General Birame Diop, the highest-ranking military officer in the UN’s peace-keeping operations Former Force Commander...
03.03.2023
Opportunities for Australia in space, climate and food security
Governments and industry are constantly innovating in the space sector, but as space becomes increasingly contested and congested, there is a need to ensure the space domain is secure – something that will be central to discussions at ASPI’s Sydney...
02.24.2023
Russia's war on Ukraine one year on and US foreign policy
One year on from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, David Wroe asks Paul Dibb, Emeritus Professor of strategic studies at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre in the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, how Russia’s war in Ukraine...
02.17.2023
India’s foreign policy, information warfare, Australia-Netherlands cooperation
Baani Grewal speaks to Ashok Malik, Partner and Chair of the India Practice at The Asia Group and ASPI Visiting Fellow. They discuss India’s foreign policy under Modi, including its relationships with the West, and China and Russia; and developments...

What's ASPI Podcast: Policy, Guns & Money about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

ASPI Podcast: Policy, Guns & Money episodes:

Policy, Guns and Money – that’s a wrap!

Offensive cyber operations; election integrity and disinformation

Myanmar’s junta under pressure; geopolitics in the Pacific

Ukraine, the Quad and an Australian maritime strategy

Air Force education, the WPS agenda and women’s rights

AI horizons: Navigating regulations, safety, and the use of AI

How parliamentarians view cybersecurity and critical technology, with Gai Brodtmann

Professor Ian Hall on India, Australia, and the region

Australia and space with Australia's Defence Space Commander

Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union, Philippines and the South China Sea

Albanese trip to China, economic coercion, and diplomatic relations

Authoritarian AI, China and the metaverse

Indo-Pacific security & partnerships: India, Australia & the US with Lisa Curtis & Raji Rajagopalan

Geopolitics in Southeast Asia; Australia-Indonesia relations

Hacking for Cash: Nadia Taggart and Anna Aquilina

Defence innovation with Sean Singleton

A modern look at deterrence with Brad Roberts

The future of the international order with Kori Schake

Cyber conflict, competition and cooperation with Jason Healey

Ross Babbage on deterrence and defence strategy; jailed terrorists and the risk of reoffending

The Bigger Picture: AUSMIN 2023 with John Coyne and Euan Graham

Hacking for Cash: Francis Gurry, Nigel Corey, and Elizabeth Chien-Hale

The Bigger Picture: AUSMIN 2023 with Alex Bristow and Jennifer Parker

Hacking for Cash: Dustin McCormack and Callie Aboaf

Smooth Sailing in the Indo-Pacific, and strategic mapping in the Indian Ocean

Hacking for Cash: Chris Painter and Justin Bassi

US-Australia alliance: Special operations forces cooperation & strengthening the alliance

AUKUS and critical minerals, with the Honourable Kim Beazley AC

In-conversation with Home Affairs’ Hamish Hansford. Cyber security & critical infrastructure

Defence Strategic Review & implications for the maritime domain; Delhi's role in the Indo-Pacific

The Sydney Dialogue Summit Sessions: David Waterhouse

The Sydney Dialogue Summit Sessions: Kestutis Budrys

The Sydney Dialogue Summit Sessions: Misha Zelinsky

Beijing’s propaganda, climate and Australia’s national security, federal budget & Defence spending

The Sydney Dialogue Summit Sessions: Dr Dirk Hager

The Sydney Dialogue Summit Sessions: Heather Richman, Linda Lourie & John Leslie

Unpacking Australia’s Defence Strategic Review

The Sydney Dialogue Summit Sessions: Ylli Bajraktari

Special: ICRC DG Robert Mardini & Norway's Military Representative to NATO, VADM Louise Dedichen

The Sydney Dialogue Summit Sessions: Ambassador Baiba Braže

The Sydney Dialogue Summit Sessions: David Koh

A conversation on Ukraine with Dr Yuriy Sak, Advisor to the Minister of Defence of Ukraine

The Sydney Dialogue and opportunities in space, ASPI’s Critical Technology Tracker

AUKUS, deterrence and US foreign policy with Becca Wasser

AUKUS challenges and opportunities with Richard Fontaine, Lisa Curtis, and Alessio Patalano

Diving into the AUKUS submarine announcement, with Bec Shrimpton and Malcolm Davis

The future of peacekeeping and women, peace and security

Opportunities for Australia in space, climate and food security

Russia's war on Ukraine one year on and US foreign policy

India’s foreign policy, information warfare, Australia-Netherlands cooperation