In this special summer series of the Afternoon Light podcast you can enjoy the presentations delivered at our November 2023 conference entitled ‘The Menzies Ascendency: Implementing a Liberal Agenda and Consolidating Gains 1954-1961’. This third episode features Bob Bowker’s paper ‘Menzies, Eisenhower and Suez’, Sean Jacob’s paper ‘Skilful handling: Menzies and the West New Guinea dispute’ (begins 29:25), and Elizabeth Buchanan’s paper ‘Menzies and the Antarctic Treaty’ (begins 42:44).

Dr Bob Bowker is the author of Australia, Menzies and Suez: Australian Policymaking on the Middle East Before, During and After the Suez Crisis. He is also the co-editor, with Matthew Jordan, of Australia and the Suez Crisis 1950-1957, an edited volume of 449 official documents outlining the Australian approach to and role in the crisis. Bob is a specialist on the Middle East and Islamic issues and a former Adjunct Professor of the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies at ANU. Prior to this, he served with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, undertaking five postings in the Middle East, including as Australian Ambassador to Jordan (1989-92) and as Australian Ambassador to Egypt (2005-08).

Sean Jacobs is a Port Moresby-born Australian writer, government relations and policy specialist. He has worked with all levels of government in PNG, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia. He currently works in local government in Australia. Sean is the author of three books, and has published with the Diplomatic Courier, International Affairs Review, Small Wars Journal, The Spectator and the Australian Institute of International Affairs. He is a graduate of Griffith and Macquarie Universities.

Dr Elizabeth Buchanan is a 1st Sea Lord (1SL) Five Eyes Fellow for the Royal Navy. She is a Non-resident Fellow of the Modern War Institute at West Point Military Academy and an Adjunct Fellow of the Griffith Asia Institute. Dr Buchanan was a Lecturer of Strategic Studies with Deakin University at the Australian War College, Canberra. Her research interests include Arctic and Antarctic geopolitics, and her PhD thesis examined Russian Arctic strategy.