The National Security Podcast

As Indonesian head to the polls on 14 February, what’s important to know about the nation’s conception of democracy and its political ecosystem?  

Who are the key candidates in the presidential election — what do they represent? 

And what could be the implications of a change of government for security and diplomacy in the region?  

In this episode, Natalie Sambhi and Gary Quinlan join Rory Medcalf to discuss the upcoming Indonesian elections, and how the outcome might impact bilateral ties with Australia and security in the region. 

Dr Natalie Sambhi is a Senior Policy Fellow with Asia Society Australia and the Founder and Executive Director of Verve Research. Her research focuses on Indonesian military affairs, Indonesian defence policy and Southeast Asian security. 

Gary Quinlan AO is a former diplomat and public servant who served as Australia’s Ambassador to Indonesia, High Commissioner to Singapore and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York. 

Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of ANU National Security College. 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 

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 nexus between domestic and regional cyber security?  

How does Australia help regional neighbours manage and respond to cyber threats?  

And how will shield six of the Australian government’s new cyber strategy change the domestic cyber agenda?   

In this episode, the Hon Tim Watts MP and Brendan Dowling join Olivia Shen to discuss Australia’s path towards becoming a world leader in cyber security by 2030, and its capacity-building role in the Indo-Pacific region.  

The Hon Tim Watts MP is the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, and is the Federal Member for Gellibrand. 

Brendan Dowling is Australia’s Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology.  

Olivia Shen is a Director at the ANU National Security College on secondment from the Department of Home Affairs.  

Show notes:  

• Securing our Future – national security conference, 9-10 April, 2024: secure your tickets  
• Australian Cyber Security Strategy (2023-2030). 

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.

What is open-source intelligence (OSINT)?

How does big data influence our understanding of “good” intelligence?

And does Australia need a dedicated OSINT agency in the National Intelligence Community?

In this episode, Dr Miah Hammond-Errey and Ben Scott join Olivia Shen to discuss the increasing importance of open-source intelligence and big data in intelligence analysis, and the evolution required from intelligence agencies to keep up.

Dr Miah Hammond-Errey is the Director of the Emerging Technology Program at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney.

Ben Scott is a Senior Advisor at the ANU National Security College, and has over 25 years of experience in diplomacy, intelligence and think tanks, including stints at the Lowy Institute and the Office of National Intelligence.

Olivia Shen is a Director at NSC on secondment from the Department of Home Affairs.

Show notes:

• Securing our Future – national security conference, 9-10 April, 2024: secure your tickets 
• ‘Adapting Australian intelligence to the information age,’
• Big Data, Emerging Technologies and Intelligence: National Security Disrupted,
• Decoding good intelligence,
• Submission to the 2024 Independent Intelligence Review

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.

What is the significance of the Indian Ocean in Indo-Pacific security?

Is it useful to distinguish between traditional and non-traditional maritime threats?

And how might the AUKUS agreement reshape maritime security in the region?

In this episode, Frédéric Grare and Justin Burke join Jennifer Parker to tackle the maritime challenges facing Australia and the region.

Dr Frédéric Grare is a Senior Research Fellow at the ANU National Security College (NSC) in an expert program sponsored by the government of France.  

Justin Burke is a Senior Policy Advisor at NSC and a Non-Resident Fellow at the Centre for Maritime Strategy and Security at the Institute for Security Policy at Kiel University.  

Jennifer Parker is an Expert Associate at NSC and an Adjunct Fellow in Naval Studies at UNSW Canberra. 

Show notes: 

• Securing our Future – a national security conference: secure your tickets 
• National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): find out more 
• IUU Fishing: 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.

Technological innovation is now one of the most consequential realms of geopolitical contestation. And in the era of big tech, the private sector has assumed power that once resided with governments. In response, we’ve seen a reassertion of industry policy, with governments trying to re-establish control. 

What happens to Australia’s national security when private companies, such as TikTok, are in the geopolitical driver’s seat?  

And how can policymakers keep up with this ever-changing industry? 

In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Bec Shrimpton from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, joins Katherine Mansted in conversation to explore the rapidly changing landscape of big tech. 

Bec Shrimpton is the Director, Defence Strategy and National Security at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

Katherine Mansted is a Senior Fellow at the ANU National Security College, and the Executive Director, Cyber Intelligence at CyberCX

Show notes:  

National Intelligence Community and National Security College Scholarship for Women: find out more  

This episode was first published on Thursday, March 30, 2023.

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 has violent extremism evolved in recent decades?  

Why do the words used to discuss and describe extremism matter so much? 

And what challenges will governments, communities and individuals face in combating these threats in the digital age? 

In this episode, Dr Emily Corner, Lydia Khalil, and Professor Michele Grossman join Gai Brodtmann to discuss the evolution of violent extremism, and how these changes create new challenges for policymakers. 

Dr Emily Corner is an Associate Professor at the Australian National University and has worked extensively on projects examining terrorism, radicalisation, and the mental disorders associated with terrorist behaviour.  

Lydia Khalil is a Research Fellow on transnational challenges at the Lowy Institute and manages the Digital Threats to Democracy Project. 

Professor Michele Grossman AM is the Research Chair, Diversity and Community Resilience at Deakin University. She is a renowned expert in the areas of violent extremism, radicalisation, and community engagement. 

Gai Brodtmann is a Distinguished Advisor at the ANU National Security College, having previously served as a diplomat, defence consultant, Member of Parliament, Shadow Assistant Minister for Cyber Security and Defence and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence. 

Show notes:  

• ANU National Security College academic programs: find out more 

This episode was first published Thursday, September 14, 2023 

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.

While social media has many benefits, there are a growing number of users – both human and machine – spreading harmful disinformation and misinformation on these networks.  

What is the difference between disinformation and misinformation? How do different actors – both state and non-state – affect society and geopolitics using social media?  

And what steps can be taken to overcome these challenges? 

In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Professor Darren Linvill from Clemson University and Associate Professor Will Grant from ANU, join David Andrews in conversation to discuss the state of disinformation and misinformation on social media. 

Dr Darren Linvill is a Professor and Co-director of the Clemson University Media Forensics Hub. He studies state-affiliated social media information operations. 

Dr Will J Grant is Associate Professor at The Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science at ANU, where he researches the interaction of science and politics. He podcasts on science at The Wholesome Show. 

David Andrews is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College. 

Show notes: 

• ANU National Security College academic programs: find out more 
• Darren Linvill’s article for Irregular Warfare Initiative covers some of the themes discussed in today’s episode: Custer’s last tweet: avoiding a digital little bighorn in the fight for hearts and minds. 

This episode was first published on Thursday, April 20, 2023 

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.

As Taiwan’s 2024 elections draw near, who are the key candidates and what are they offering? 

How might China respond to a change of government? 

And what are the main risks and opportunities for Australia? 

In this episode, China experts Mark Harrison and Antonia Finnane join Susan Dietz-Henderson to discuss the upcoming Taiwan elections, and how the results will have implications not only for Taiwan, but for the region too. 

Mark Harrison is a Senior Lecturer in Chinese Studies at the School of Social Sciences, University of Tasmania. He is also an Expert Associate at the ANU National Security College (NSC). 

Antonia Finnane is an Honorary Professorial Fellow at the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, University of Melbourne. 

Susan Dietz-Henderson is a Senior Executive Adviser at NSC, currently on secondment from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Show notes: 

• 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. 

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

How can whistle-blowers  contribute to Australia’s national security? 

What roles do parliamentary committees and the courts play in national security oversight? 

And how should national security and secrecy be balanced with human rights and transparency?  

In this episode, Kieran Pender and Dominique Dalla-Pozza join Danielle Ireland-Piper to talk about the importance of accountability, and mechanisms of oversight, in Australia’s national security ecosystem.

Dr Danielle Ireland-Piper is an Associate Professor and Academic Director at the ANU National Security College.

Kieran Pender is a senior lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre. He is also an honorary lecturer at the ANU College of Law.

Dr Dominique Dalla-Pozza is a Senior Lecturer at the ANU College of Law and has also recently joined the ANU National Security College.

Show notes:    

• ANU National Security College academic programs: find out more   
• The National Anti-Corruption Commission: find out more  
• Independent National Security Legislation Monitor report: 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.

What was achieved at the recent AI Safety Summit, hosted by the United Kingdom? 

How do the geopolitics of technology now impact economies and societies? 

And how can governments equip themselves better to handle these complex changes? 

In this episode, senior UK public servant Jonathan Black joins Jennifer Jackett to talk about AI, and the policy responses to it from governments across the globe. 

Jonathan Black is a Heywood Fellow at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. Prior to this appointment he was the UK Prime Minister’s representative for the recent AI Safety Summit, G7 and G20 Sherpa and Deputy National Security Advisor. 

Jennifer Jackett is a Sir Roland Wilson Scholar at the ANU National Security College. 

Show notes:   

• ANU National Security College academic programs: find out more  
• AI Safety Summit 2023: find out more 
• The Bletchley Declaration: 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.