The National Security Podcast

Why is it important to consider Australia's national identity when discussing matters related to national security?

What does a shared sense of national identity look like for Australia today? 

What are some of the frailties and risks that Australia faces when it comes to maintaining social cohesion? 

In this episode, Zoe McKenzie, Allegra Spender, Wesa Chau, Asmi Wood and Afeeya Akhand join Ian Kemish to discuss the importance of Australian values, national identity, and social cohesion in guiding Australia’s strategic priorities.

Zoe McKenzie MP is the Federal Member for Flinders 

Allegra Spender MP is the Federal Member for Wentworth 

Wesa Chau is the Director of Public Policy at the Multicultural Leadership Initiative 

Professor Asmi Wood is a Professor at the ANU College of Law and Sub-Dean (Indigenous) 

Afeeya Akhand is a Youth Council Member at the ANU National Security College (NSC). 

Ian Kemish AM is a Distinguished Advisor at NSC.  

Show notes: 

• Watch the entire video with Q&A
• Keynote address by the Hon Tim Watts MP 
• Keynote address by the Hon Andrew Hastie MP 
• PJCIS - Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security 
• A Rightful Place by Noel Pearson | Symbolic indigenous recognition for all of us 
• ANU National Security College academic programs: find out more 

Note: This episode was recorded during the NSC’s ‘Securing our Future’ conference on 10 April 2024. 

We’d love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to [email protected]. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. The National Security Podcast is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. 

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Why is it important to include young voices in policymaking? 

Would commitments to long-term policymaking at a multilateral level push Australia and other countries to apply these principles domestically? 

Can state-based wellbeing frameworks guide national decision-making in Australia?  

In this episode, Sophie Howe and Caitlin Figueiredo join Dayle Stanley to for a future-focused discussion on the importance of long-term policy making. 

Sophie Howe was the first Future Generations Commissioner for Wales and is a member of the ANU National Security College (NSC) Futures Council. 

Caitlin Figueiredo is the 2024 ACT Young Australian of the Year and the former co-chair of the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition. 

Dayle Stanley is the Chief Futures Officer at the NSC Futures Hub. 

Show notes:  

• Sophie Howe Ted Talk  
• How did there come to be a Future Generations Commissioner in Wales? 
• UN Summit for the Future 
• National Emergency Management Agency 
• ANU National Security College academic programs: find out more 

We’d love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to [email protected]. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. The National Security Podcast is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.  

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What is the role of intelligence with respect to policy-making and national security? 

What is the concept of ‘truth to power’ and is it the right approach for intelligence assessment?  

Should intelligence agencies to be more public and open about their threat assessments? 

What is the role of open-source intelligence (OSINT) in the intelligence community (IC)? And would the Australian IC stand to benefit from a standalone OSINT agency? 

In this episode, Beth Sanner joins Peter Ford and Ben Scott to discuss how intelligence and statecraft interact and look at some key events to analyse the role of intelligence. 

Beth Sanner is a Senior Fellow at Harvard University Belfer Center and the former US Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Mission Integration. 

Peter Ford is a Senior Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC).  

Ben Scott is a Senior Advisor at NSC.  

Show notes:  

• Opinion piece by Beth Sanner on 'Truth to Power': A Former Presidential Briefer Rethinks Truth to Power (thecipherbrief.com) 
• United States 2024 Annual Threat Assessment: ATA-2024-Unclassified-Report.pdf (dni.gov)  
• ASIO Director-General's Annual Threat Assessment 2024: Director-General's Annual Threat Assessment 2024 | ASIO 
• Adapting Australian intelligence to the information age by Ben Scott: find out more 

We’d love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to [email protected]. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. The National Security Podcast is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. 

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Why is the 2024 election so important for the Solomon Islands and what is the future of democracy in the country?

What is the state of the Australia-Solomon Islands relationship in a post-RAMSI era?

Can Australia be more ambitious in its provision of development assistance to the Solomon Islands?

In this episode, Edward Cavanough joins Rory Medcalf to discuss the upcoming Solomon Islands election, the future of Australia’s relationship with the Solomon Islands and Edward’s new book Divided Isles: Solomon Islands and the China Switch.

Edward Cavanough is the Chief Executive Officer at The McKell Institute, an Australian think-tank. He is also an experienced analyst and journalist.

Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of ANU National Security College (NSC). His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia.

Show notes:

·      Securing our Future – national security conference, 9–10 April, 2024: find out more [DA1] 

·      Divided Isles: Solomon Islands and the China Switch: find out more

·      Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI): find out more

We’d love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to [email protected]. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. The National Security Podcast is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.  

Are we still selling tickets? [DA1]

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Why is the EU stepping up its engagement in the Indo-Pacific?  

In what ways does the EU collaborate with sub-regions within the Indo-Pacific? How can it diversify its relationship with Australia? 

And how does the EU reconcile with perceptions of it as a neo-colonial character in the Indo-Pacific? 

In this episode, Richard Tibbels joins Rory Medcalf to discuss the Europe Union’s engagement, challenges, and opportunities in the Indo-Pacific, and what it means for Australia.  

Richard Tibbels is the EU Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific.  

Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of ANU National Security College (NSC). His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia.  

Show notes:  

• Securing our Future – national security conference, 9–10 April, 2024: secure your tickets
• EU Indo-Pacific Forum 2024: address from Richard Tibbels, EU Special Envoy to the Indo-Pacific
• EU Special Envoy to the Indo-Pacific Richard Tibbels in conversation with Professor Rory Medcalf
• European Security Strategy 

We’d love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to [email protected]. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. The National Security Podcast is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.  

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In a world of geopolitical uncertainty, what is the significance of the recent ASEAN-Australia Special Summit? 

What realistically can be achieved between Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)?   

And what are the diplomatic and security challenges facing ASEAN nations? 

In this episode, Pichamon Yeophanton, Huong Le Thu and Don McLain Gill join Rory Medcalf on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit to assess the state of ASEAN-Australia relations, and explore the opportunities and challenges facing deeper engagement. 

Dr Pichamon Yeophantong is Head of Research and Associate Professor at the Centre for Future Defence and National Security, Deakin University at the Australian War College. 

Dr Huong Le Thu is the Asia Deputy Director at the International Crisis Group. 

Don McLain Gill is a Lecturer and a geopolitical analyst at the Department of International Studies, De La Salle University. 

Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of the ANU National Security College (NSC). His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia.  

Show notes:  

• Securing our Future – national security conference, 9–10 April, 2024: secure your tickets 
• ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2024: find out more 
• Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative: find out more 

We’d love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to [email protected]. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. The National Security Podcast is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.  

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How does the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda apply to space policy? 

Why is better integration of the WPS agenda into the space sector crucial for Australia?  

And how does Australia compare to its international peers in this area?  

In this episode, Cassandra Steer and Elise Stephenson join Danielle Ireland-Piper to discuss the importance of incorporating the Women, Peace, and Security agenda into the Australian space sector.  

Dr Cassandra Steer is Deputy Director (Mission Specialists) at the Australian National University Institute for Space (InSpace).

Dr Elise Stephenson GAICD is a Gender, Space and National Security Fellow at the ANU National Security College (NSC) and the Deputy Director at the ANU Global Institute for Women's Leadership.

Dr Danielle Ireland-Piper is an Associate Professor and Academic Director at NSC.  

Show notes:  

• Securing our Future – national security conference, 9–10 April, 2024: secure your tickets 
• Australia’s National Action Plan for implementing the WPS agenda: find out more  
• Joint Project 9102 Phase 1: find out more 

We’d love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to [email protected]. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. The National Security Podcast is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. 

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How could global politics shift, with more than half the world's population voting in elections this year? 

How should Australia – and other liberal democracies – navigate a path forward amid growing geopolitical tension and conflict? 

And what opportunities exist for Australia to deepen ties with its longstanding partners, despite increasing uncertainty and complexity? 

In this episode, Sophia Gaston and Gideon Rachman join Rory Medcalf to discuss upcoming elections around the world, escalating global conflicts, and what may be in store for the Australia-UK relationship, following the UK’s upcoming general election.

Sophia Gaston is an Expert Associate at the ANU National Security College (NSC). She is also the Head of Foreign Policy and UK Resilience at the leading Westminster think tank, Policy Exchange. 

Gideon Rachman is the Chief foreign affairs commentator for the Financial Times. 

Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of NSC. His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism, and academia. 

Show notes:  

• Securing our Future – national security conference, 9–10 April, 2024: secure your tickets 
• AUKUS Pillar II: find out more  

We’d love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to [email protected]. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. The National Security Podcast is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.  

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This episode is dedicated to the memory of Faith Medcalf (1935-2023), who devoted much of her life to school education and teacher training in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. 

Have Australians lost sight of the importance of the Australia-PNG relationship? 

What impact has Prime Minister Marape’s address to the Australian Parliament, and the new security agreement had on public perceptions? 

And how can a shared history help to further develop this complex and critical relationship?  

In this episode, Ian Kemish, Oliver Nobetau and Nayahamui Rooney join Rory Medcalf to delve into the dynamics of Australia-Papua New Guinea bilateral relations, and explore how the two nations can strengthen their bond. 

Dr Nayahamui Rooney is a Lecturer with the School of Culture, History & Language in the College of Asia & the Pacific at the Australian National University (ANU).  

Ian Kemish AM is an Expert Associate at the ANU National Security College (NSC), and the former Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea.  

Oliver Nobetau is an FDC Pacific Fellow at the Lowy Institute, on secondment from the Government of Papua New Guinea.  

Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of NSC. His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia.  

Show notes:  

• Securing our Future – national security conference, 9–10 April, 2024: secure your tickets 
• Prime Minister Marape’s address to parliament: PNG Prime Minister James Marape makes historic first address to Australian parliament | Sky News Australia 
• Moving beyond the Bougainville Peace Agreement by Ian Kemish AM 
• The state of play in PNG: A momentous start to 2024 by Oliver Nobetau 
• 'Fabricated Security Space': The Manus Regional Processing Centre and gendered discourse between Australia and Papua New Guinea by Dr Nayahamui Rooney 

We’d love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to [email protected]. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. The National Security Podcast is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. 

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What is the strategic significance of the Indian Ocean to Australia? 

What challenges and opportunities does the region present for Australia and its partners? 

And how much can Australia realistically achieve in such a vast region?

In this episode, Darshana Baruah, David Brewster and Shafqat Munir join Rory Medcalf to discuss the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean to Australia and the region. 

Darshana Baruah is a Fellow with the Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace where she directs the Indian Ocean Initiative. 

David Brewster is a Senior Research Fellow at the ANU National Security College (NSC) and focuses on security in India and the Indian Ocean region, and Indo-Pacific maritime affairs. 

Shafqat Munir is a Senior Research Fellow and Head of the Bangladesh Centre for Terrorism Research at the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies. 

Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of NSC. His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, Intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia.  

Show notes:  

Securing our Future – national security conference, 9–10 April, 2024: secure your tickets 

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS): find out more 

Foreign Policy White Paper (2017): find out more 

We’d love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to [email protected]. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. The National Security Podcast is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.  

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.