Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February altered the European security architecture for generations to come. One clear piece of evidence of this: Finland and Sweden announcing they will be formally applying for membership in the NATO alliance – ending their decades-long neutrality and elevating their NATO engagement from Enhanced Opportunity Partners, alongside Australia, to fully fledged members.

With Finland’s membership in NATO more than doubling the length of the alliance’s borders with Russia, how does this change NATO’s relationship with Russia? Given the significant military resources consumed in Ukraine, are NATO allies decreasing their focus or resourcing in the Indo-Pacific? How has Australia’s engagement with NATO changed since 24 February?

To discuss these issues, the United States Studies Centre hosted a webinar discussion with USSC Senior Lecturer in US Politics and Foreign Policy Dr Gorana Grgic in conversation with incoming USSC CEO Dr Mike Green.

As we approach the November midterm elections, Joe Biden's presidency, the control of Congress and the future course of America's democracy are all at a crossroads. What is the outlook for both parties in the midterms, and what is at stake for President Biden and the balance of his first ​term? What are the prospects for a Republican-controlled Congress and what will be their agenda? What could all this mean for the 2024 presidential and congressional elections? What should Australians look for as the United States votes?

To discuss these issues, the United States Studies Centre hosted a webinar featuring Dr Larry Sabato, one of America's most distinguished political scientists and founder and director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics in conversation with USSC's Non-Resident Senior Fellow Bruce Wolpe and Research Associate Victoria Cooper.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and brazen aggression represent the worst military aggression in Europe for decades. It is also the most blatant breach of international law and state sovereignty on the European continent in a generation, which has, in turn, highlighted the importance of NATO’s core task of defence and deterrence. The aftermaths of the 24 February invasion will have irrevocable consequences for transatlantic security and priorities. Yet, even before this, there were multiple growing challenges to the existing security architecture and institutions that were set up in the wake of the Second World War.

What challenges and threats is NATO facing given the current security crisis on their eastern border? How will this impact the upcoming release of the new Strategic Concept? How can these issues be addressed both at the level of the Alliance and in cooperation with partner countries, such as Australia?

To discuss these issues, the United States Studies Centre (USSC) hosted an event with NATO's Head of Engagements Mr Nicola de Santis in conversation with USSC Senior Lecturer in US Politics and Foreign Policy Dr Gorana Grgic.

Jointly presented by the United States Studies Centre (USSC) and NATO Public Diplomacy Division; this event is part of a series of talks with USSC and NATO experts in which they explore the challenges ahead of NATO and Australia and propose areas where furthering and deepening cooperation can offer solutions.

In addition to fomenting sweeping international condemnation, Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine appears to have convinced key US allies in Europe to increase defence spending to levels that US presidents of all political persuasions have requested for decades. For its part, Australia committed lethal aid to Ukraine and embraced economic sanctions against Russia while Prime Minister Morrison said “nothing is off the table” for future Australian support. But what are the broader implications of this seismic event for Australia? How will Russia’s invasion change the US approach to the Indo-Pacific? Should the Australian Government issue a new Defence Strategic Update to factor in involvement with Europe or reduced attention from the United States?

To discuss these issues, the United States Studies Centre hosted a webinar featuring USSC Senior Lecturer Dr Gorana Grgic in conversation with Non-Resident Senior Fellow Stephen Loosley AM.

The US Constitution mandates the president “shall from time to time give Congress information of the State of the Union”, which has now become an annual address from the sitting president. This is an opportunity for the president to make their case – celebrating successes so far and setting the policy trajectory for the year ahead. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi invited President Biden to give his first State of the Union Address on 1 March 2022.

Facing dwindling poll numbers and an acrimoniously divided country, can President Biden’s address win him much needed political capital ahead of the November 2022 midterm elections? How much will the Indo-Pacific or other foreign policy feature in his address? What should Australia listen out for?

To discuss these issues before President Biden’s address, the United States Studies Centre hosted a webinar event with USSC politics experts Associate Professor in American Politics and Foreign Policy David Smith, Non-Resident Senior Fellow Bruce Wolpe and Research Associate Victoria Cooper in conversation with CEO Professor Simon Jackman.

Challenges the United States faces with China and Russia are frequently, and adamantly, argued to either constitute a new Cold War or not. Leading historian and former Pentagon advisor, Hal Brands, takes a different approach altogether in his new book, The Twilight Struggle: What the Cold War Teaches Us about Great Power Rivalry Today. He posits that regardless of the accuracy of Cold War comparisons, the United States should look to the history of the Cold War for lessons in how to succeed in great power rivalry today. Both the Biden and Trump administrations came to embrace US-China competition, but what should be the ultimate end goal? How should the US approach to such competition in the near term differ from a long-term approach? Where do US allies like Australia fit into this strategic debate?

The United States Studies Centre hosted an event with Hal Brands in conversation with USSC Senior Lecturer Dr Gorana Grgic as we unpack what history has to teach about the latest stage in great power rivalry and the future of US foreign policymaking.

On the one-year anniversary of President Biden’s inauguration, experts from the United States Studies Centre (USSC) will give their take on what to expect in US politics and policy in 2022. President Biden’s supporters posit that, in passing the American Rescue Plan Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, he has already accomplished more first-year legislative wins than any president in generations. Yet amid questions of competence following the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal, inflation rates the highest in decades, the prospect of the most significant changes in abortion law in nearly half a century, and ever-worsening poll numbers potentially foreshadowing a GOP takeover in the midterms, President Biden and the Democrats are undeniably on the defensive.

What are the issues likely to dominate US politics and the midterm elections in 2022? What comes of the Biden administration’s policy agenda if Republicans take back control of Congress? What issues should Australians keep an eye on?

To discuss these issues, USSC hosted a webinar discussion with politics experts, Senior Lecturer in US Politics and Foreign Policy Dr Gorana Grgic, Non-Resident Senior Fellow Bruce Wolpe and Senior Research Fellow Jared Mondschein in conversation with CEO Professor Simon Jackman.

After a year beset by a pandemic, civil unrest, and political turmoil, the January 6 attack on the US Capitol began 2021 with the first major attack on American soil since the falling of the twin towers some 20 years before. What are the sources of US political dissolution and division and the resulting implications for Australia? What is the connection between the lives of individual Americans and the dysfunction that characterises Washington? What explains the seismic shifts in the politics and culture in places as diverse as Connecticut, West Virginia and Chicago?

To discuss what led to this moment and what can be done about it, the United States Studies Centre hosted a discussion with Evan Osnos, National Book Award and Pulitzer prize-winning author of Wildland: The Making of America’s Fury in conversation with USSC Non-Resident Senior Fellow Dr Charles Edel.

Martin Indyk has written a landmark book, Master of the Game: Henry Kissinger and the Art of Middle East Diplomacy, on the Mideast diplomacy of Henry Kissinger, Secretary of State to presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. Indyk’s exceptional and forensic study of diplomatic records along with personal discussions with Kissinger on those events – all informed further by Indyk’s unique insights from his own decades of involvement in the search for peace in the Middle East under presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama – provide an extraordinary window on these events and the challenges facing President Biden and his foreign policy team in today’s Middle East.

How did the United States end up so centrally involved in Middle East peace negotiations? In an era of strategic competition, what is the Biden administration's Middle East strategy? What does Australia need to know about Biden’s Middle East policy going forward?

To discuss these issues, the USSC hosted a conversation with Martin Indyk and the United States Studies Centre (USSC) Non-Resident Senior Fellow Bruce Wolpe and Research Associate Victoria Cooper.

Technological advancements that are being exploited for military and security purposes present both new opportunities for militaries around the world, as well as new threats that can emanate from both state and non-state actors. Emerging and disruptive technologies (EDT) are also a key facet of the NATO 2030 initiative and an integral part of the discussions leading to NATO’s new Strategic Concept. The alliance has recently taken decisive steps to retain its technological edge by enabling investment in dual-use technologies of potential application to defence and security by creating the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA). The Innovation Fund’s aim is to support the development of a protected transatlantic innovation community.

This talk discussed NATO’s approach to EDT in the context of both risks and opportunities for NATO and allies, the ongoing work with public and private sector partners, academia and civil society in this domain, as well as the areas where partner states such as Australia can cooperate on these matters.

NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges Mr David van Weel was the special guest. He spoke with the United States Studies Centre's Senior Lecturer in US Politics and Foreign Policy Dr Gorana Grgic.

Jointly presented by the United States Studies Centre (USSC) and NATO Public Diplomacy Division; this event is part of a series of talks with USSC and NATO experts in which they explore the challenges ahead of NATO and Australia and propose areas where furthering and deepening cooperation can offer solutions.