The National Security Podcast

Why do Australians place peaceful and safe communities above more traditional security priorities? Why are AI-enabled attacks, economic crises, supply chain shocks and disinformation rising above more conventional threats in public concern?Why do many Australians want more transparency and information from trusted agencies, while also feeling overwhelmed by the information environment? Why do so few Australians think the country is fully prepared for major threats, and what does that preparedness gap mean for government and industry? In this episode, Rory Medcalf, Tom Rogers and Tim Wilford join Sally Bulkeley to discuss the findings of NSC’s Community Consultations Report – Australia's first comprehensive research report, examining Australian attitudes to national security, and perceptions of risk and resilience.Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of the ANU National Security College. His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia. Tom Rogers is the former Australian Electoral Commissioner and a Distinguished Advisor at NSC. Tim Wilford is Director, Community Consultations at NSC. Sally Bulkeley is Deputy Head of College at NSC. TRANSCRIPTShow notes·     NSC academic programs – find out more ·     Community Consultations Findings Report·     Engagement Report·     First Nations Report·     The security gap Australia can’t afford to ignoreWe'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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why did the United States and Israel choose to strike Iran now – and what are the strategic consequences of that decision? What lessons have been learnt from Iran’s asymmetric response? Can Iran’s protesters realistically leverage the current crisis for meaningful political change, or has the aerial campaign by US and Israel undermined their momentum? How can Australia and other US allies balance alliance commitments with national interests in this conflict? In this episode, Beth Sanner and Dr Rodger Shanahan join Justin Burke to discuss the drivers of the Iran war, and examine the broader implications for regional and global security.Beth Sanner is a Distinguished Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC). She is the former US Deputy Director of National Intelligence, a 35-year intelligence veteran, and now the Director of Geopolitics and Strategy for International Capital Strategies.Dr Rodger Shanahan is a former Army officer with a PhD in Arab and Islamic studies. He has previously held appointments at NSC and the Lowy Institute, with operational and diplomatic experience in the Middle East.Justin Burke is Senior Policy Advisor at NSC.TRANSCRIPTShow notes:·     NSC academic programs – find out moreWe'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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is there a strategic through line or an explanatory logic behind the Trump Administration’s actions in Venezuela, Greenland and Iran?What is the current state of the Transatlantic Alliance?What are the implications of cross-theatre linkages for the idea that Europe and the Indo-Pacific are separate security arenas?With rising tensions in the Middle East, what factors will most strongly influence whether tensions between the US and Iran escalate into a broader regional conflict?Are there any potentially optimistic geopolitical signals that deserve amplification?In this episode, Justin Burke speaks with Euan Graham and Gorana Grgić to discuss the through lines on the surprising geopolitical events that ushered in 2026, imagining a world without the US at its center. Dr Gorana Grgić is Head of the Global Security team at the ETH Zurich’s Center for Security Studies and holds senior affiliations in Australia and the US. Her research interests include US and EU foreign policy and NATO.Dr Euan Graham is an Expert Associate at the ANU National Security College. He has extensive experience as a commentator, policy analyst and former practitioner specializing in Indo-Pacific security.Justin Burke is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College.TRANSCRIPTShow notes:·     NSC academic programs – find out more·     The Case for a Pacific Defense Pact: America Needs a New Asian Alliance to Counter China·     Asia After America | Foreign AffairsWe'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.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do Australia’s borders require a fundamental rethink? How can Australian governments build on the vision of Australia’s borders as a national strategic asset? How can new forms of border governance, such as the use of AI and advanced data analytics, be introduced without undermining public trust? What should the border look like for industry, travellers, the pubic, international partners and those interested in conducting trade with Australia? In this episode, Mike Outram joins Sally Bulkeley to discuss the need for Australia to reconceptualise its borders as strategic assets, the threats posed by transnational crime, and the economic benefits of modern border management.Sally Bulkeley is Deputy Head of the ANU National Security College (NSC).Mike Outram APM is a Distinguished Advisor at NSC. He was Commissioner of the Australian Border Force from 2018 to 2024. He has served as a law enforcement officer for over 30 years.TRANSCRIPTShow notes Securing our Future conference – Register nowNSC academic programs – find out more Beyond the checkpoint: managing Australia’s border as a strategic economic and national security assetACIC CEO ‘opens the books’ on serious and organised crime | National Security College 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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why has serious and organised crime – estimated to cost Australia $82.3 billion each year – become a national security issue? How is the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) responding to this? What are the linkages between state actors and transnational and serious organised crime in Australia? What is the role of ACIC and other intelligence organisations in combating transnational crime? How does ACIC work with international partners?  In this episode, Heather Cook joins Rory Medcalf to discuss the evolving landscape of transnational crime and its implications for national security in Australia.Heather Cook is Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and Director of the Australian Institute of Criminology. She is a career intelligence professional with more than 33 years' experience.Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of the ANU National Security College. His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia.Show notes:NSC academic programs – find out moreACIC CEO ‘opens the books’ on serious and organised crime | National Security CollegeBeyond the checkpoint: managing Australia’s border as a strategic economic and national security asset by Mike OutramImpact of organised crime on Australia laid bare in new report - ABC listenWe'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.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How integrated is Australia’s approach to statecraft across defence, diplomacy, development and industry – and how visible is that integration to the public? What is the strategic logic behind Australia’s expanding network of Pacific partnerships and treaties? What are the details of the reforms to defence acquisition and how will this impact the future of Australia’s defence industry?  In this episode, Pat Conroy joins Rory Medcalf to discuss Australia’s strategic outlook, defence reform, regional engagement and the future of defence acquisition.  The Hon Pat Conroy MP is the Minister for Defence Industry, Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, and the Federal Member for Shortland. Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of the ANU National Security College. His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia.  TRANSCRIPTShow Notes·     NSC academic programs – find out more·     Press Conference, Parliament House | Defence Ministers·     Government unveils Department of Defence overhaul amid delays and cost blowouts - ABC News·     Papua New Guinea – Australia Mutual Defence Treaty 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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is intergenerational security and how does it intersect with traditional concepts of national security?How do intergenerational dynamics and differing interactions with technology, social media and AI impact security and resilience?What are the security issues that young Australians care about and how do these differ from the concerns of older Australians? In this episode Sally Bulkeley is joined by Afeeya Akhand and Victoria Cooper to discuss intergenerational security and the differing perspectives across age demographics in Australia.Afeeya Akhand is an Emerging Associate with the ANU National Security College (NSC). Her research focuses on South Korean foreign policy, Indo-Pacific security, inclusion and social cohesion.Victoria Cooper is a Senior Analyst at the Development Intelligence Lab and focused on foreign policy and the interaction of socio-political trends, development and security. She is also an Emerging Associate with NSC.Sally Bulkeley is Deputy Head of College at NSC.TRANSCRIPTShow notesNSC academic programs – find out more Dinner Table Politics | Victoria Cooper | SubstackRecent stabbings highlight danger of online misinformation | Afeeya Akhand | The StrategistWe'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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.