The Focus

In this gripping episode of The Focus, we delve into the aftermath of the Wagner Group’s fall from grace and the emergence of a new era in Russian paramilitary operations. Join us as Dr. Ladd Serwat unpacks the intricate power shifts, the rise of the 'Africa Corps', and the lasting impact of Prigozhin's legacy on Russia's global strategy.

Show Notes:

You can contact Dr. Ladd Serwat directly on his X account – here: @LaddSerwat

Or the ACLED X account – here: @ACLEDINFO

If you would like to track down the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) site directly and look deeper into their work – click on the following link to its website - https://acleddata.com/

Glossary of terms used in this episode – 

PMC – Private Military Company otherwise known by the old term, ‘mercenaries.’

Kidal (Tuareg Berber: ⴾⴸⵍ, KDL, Kidal) is a town and commune in the desert region of northern Mali. The town lies 285 km (177 mi) northeast of Gao and is the capital of the Kidal Cercle and the Kidal Region. The commune has an area of about 9,910 km2 (3,830 sq mi) and includes the town of Kidal and 31 other settlements. (Wikipedia).

RSF – Rapid Support Forces, are a paramilitary force that sprang out of the Janjaweed militias in Sudan and are now fighting the government of Sudan for control of the country.

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Join us on "The Focus" as we dive deep into the Ukrainian Kursk Incursion with Commander of the Royal Danish Navy and YouTuber, Anders Puck Nielsen. This episode provides expert analysis on Russian military tactics and the strategic implications for the region. Captain Nielsen brings his extensive knowledge to discuss the size and scope of Russian forces, those of Ukraine as well as the unsettling potential of unconventional warfare. Tune in to gain a critical understanding of these pivotal military developments directly affecting European security.\

Show Notes - 

Ander’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@anderspuck

His ‘Logic of War’ Newsletter. To see content, you’ll have to subscribe - https://anderspucknielsen.dk/en/frontpage/

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Join us on The Focus as we delve into the world of deception and skullduggery surrounding the failed Franco-Australian Submarine Deal. Investigative journalist and author Andrew J. Fowler exposes the hidden truths and political manoeuvres that jeopardised Australia's sovereignty and led us to AUKUS. Don't miss this eye-opening episode!

Show Notes:

Connect with Andrew on X - @AndrewJFowler

Buy Andrew’s book Nuked on the following link:

https://www.mup.com.au/books/nuked-paperback-softback

Inside Story piece on Nuked:

https://insidestory.org.au/fear-and-loathing-in-the-american-alliance/

The Newtown Review of Books:

https://newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/andrew-fowler-nuked-the-submarine-fiasco-that-sank-australias-sovereignty-reviewed-by-braham-dabscheck/

Queensland Reviewer’s Collective:

https://www.queenslandreviewerscollective.com/2024/07/02/nuked-by-andrew-fowler/

Previous interviews with Andrew J. Fowler:

Julian Assange: Path to Freedom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPV8xuWpSAk&t=1s

Mike Pezzulo:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Pezzullo

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Are We Ready for AI to Surpass Human Intelligence by 2045?  

Join The Focus Podcast with technologist Evanna Hu as we delve into how AI developments, and AI regulation will impact on our future!

Show Notes:

Omelas Website –

https://www.omelas.io/#1

Evanna’s bio:

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/expert/evanna-hu/

Scowcroft Centre for Strategy & Security

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/programs/scowcroft-center-for-strategy-and-security/

Evanna’s article cited in this podcast:

https://afsa.org/sites/default/files/flipping_book/0624/34/

pages 35-37

Previous Episodes of The Focus dealing with AI:

Steven Feldstein – The Dark Side of AI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpyBcwVmExI&t=85s

Prof. Toby Walsh – Artificial Intelligence: Drone World rather than West World?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27gAoq38-Rg&t=201s

Prof. Sam Moyne – Humane War: Making a Better World?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFx0gBV_tm0&t=232s\

Peter Warren – The Future of Chatbots: A Closer Look

https://sageinternational.com.au/the-focus/the-future-of-chatbots-a-closer-look-with-peter-warren/

Dr. Russell Brinkworth – Drones from the Biology of Insects

https://sageinternational.com.au/the-focus/drones-from-the-biology-of-insects/

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Join us on The Focus as Dr. Alice Yang dives deep into the volatile dynamics of Taiwan's political landscape, its tense relationship with China, and what the future holds for this strategic island nation. Don't miss this eye-opening discussion that uncovers the real stakes and hidden narratives behind one of Asia's most critical geopolitical issues!

 

Show Notes:

Dr. Alice Yang Bio:

https://indsr.org.tw/en/member?resid=8&uid=2&pid=90

Institute for National Defence and Security Research (INDSR):

https://indsr.org.tw/en/index

Notable Publications:

Annual Assessment Reports at INDSR: These reports cover various aspects of Taiwan's defence strategy, including military technology trends and China's military developments​ (INDSR)​.

Weaponized Interdependence: China’s Economic Statecraft and Social Penetration against Taiwan: This paper discusses how China uses economic means to influence and penetrate Taiwanese society, published in the journal Orbis​ (TAEF)​.

Building a Disaster Resilient Community in Taiwan: Co-authored with Judy H.S. Wu, this research analyses the social capital in disaster preparedness in Taiwan, published in Politics and Governance​(TAEF)​.

Enabling Human Values in Foreign Policy: This paper explores the transformation of Taiwan's New Southbound Policy, emphasizing the human values driving Taiwan's foreign policy, published in the Journal of Human Values​ (TAEF)​.

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Join us on The Focus as we delve into a gripping conversation with Dr. Andrew A. Michta, senior fellow and director of the Scowcroft Strategy Initiative at the Atlantic Council. In this episode, we explore the pivotal moments in history that have shaped our world and discuss the urgent strategic decisions facing the U.S. and its allies today.

Andrew’s Politico Article:

The West’s biggest vulnerability is internal

Andrew’s Bio and Related Sites:

Dr. Andrew A. Michta Bio

Scowcroft Strategy Initiative

The Atlantic Council

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

X:

@andrewmichta 

@AtlanticCouncil

@ACScowcroft

Extra:

My Florentine ancestor who wrote De Militia was Leonardo Bruni also known as Leonardo Aretino. He was a major Renaissance Humanist and Historian and Chancellor of Florence 1410-11 & 1427-44.

SACEUR - acronym for Supreme Allied Commander Europe

SHAPE - acronym for Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe

(U.S.) EUCOM - acronym for United States European Command

Top 5 U.S. Defence Contractors as at 2024 in order of revenue:

1. Lockheed Martin
2. RTX Corporation
3. Northrop Grumman
4. Boeing
5. General Dynamics

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Get ready for an explosive episode with investigative journalist Andrew J. Fowler as we uncover Julian Assange's path to freedom and his future moves.

Show Notes

Books by Andrew J. Fowler - 

Nuked: The Submarine Fiasco that Sank Australia’s Sovereignty, 2024

(New Edition) The Most Dangerous Man in the World: Julian Assange and WikiLeaks Fight for Freedom, 2020

Secret Australia – contributor, 2020

Shooting the Messenger: Criminalising Journalism, 2018

The War on Journalism: Media Moguls, Whistleblowers and the Price of Freedom, 2015

The Most Dangerous Man in the World: Julian Assange and the inside story on WikiLeaks, 2011

Twitter:

@AndrewJFowler

Wikimedia Commons:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Fowler_(journalist)

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Join us for an exclusive dive into the July 4, 2024 British election with UK political warhorse Chris Mullin! From insider perspectives to strategic analysis, unlock the secrets of UK politics in our latest podcast episode. Listen now and stay ahead of the electoral game!

 

Show Notes:

Books by Chris Mullin – 

1982 A Very British Coup

1986, Error of Judgement

2009, A View from the Foothills

2010, Decline & Fall

2011, A Walk-On Part

2016, Hinterland

2019, The Friends of Harry Perkins

2023, Didn’t You Used to be Chris Mullin?

Social Media – 

Website: https://www.chrismullinexmp.com/

X: @chrismullinexmp 

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Join us for an electrifying episode as John reunites with Harvard's esteemed Professor Avi Loeb! It's been almost 11 months since their last conversation, and the world of UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) has been buzzing with groundbreaking developments. From a U.S. Congressional Inquiry shaking up the discourse to the dramatic resignation of the head of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, the landscape has never been more intriguing. Plus, delve into the fascinating details of Avi's Silver Star Expedition, where fragments of the mysterious IM1 meteor have undergone rigorous testing. Tune in as we unravel these astonishing updates and much more. Don't miss it!

Show Notes:

https://avi-loeb.medium.com/embracing-nicolaus-copernicus-in-toru%C5%84-6ad3072da35d

https://avi-loeb.medium.com/lessons-from-the-2024-munich-security-conference-78995ef580a9

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw9l0mK466I

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The upcoming U.S. presidential election between incumbent Democrat Joe Biden & presumptive Republican candidate, former president Donald Trump is likely to be a bang-up contest between two very old men. The most pressing touch-button issue they’ll be facing is the number of undocumented arrivals from Mexico and Latin America. Both candidates admit the current American migration system is broken. But who will have the best fix? Also, as John discussed with guest Assoc. Prof. Julia G. Young, hasn’t America - indeed every settler society - gone through these sorts of issues before?

For more information about the American Immigration issue see:

https://www.pewresearch.org/

&

https://www.migrationpolicy.org/

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