USSC Briefing Room

This year, India held the largest democratic exercise in the world as 643 million people voted in their election. Prime Minister Narendra Modi won his third election, however, his party, the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), could not secure a majority in the Parliament, leading to the formation of a coalition government. The opposition secured enough seats to have a leader of the opposition for the first time in a decade, setting up a more contested framework for Prime Minister Modi to govern. What do these electoral shifts signify about political trends in India? What emerging challenges will Prime Minister Modi face in the term ahead? How will these changes in India impact Australia and other countries in the Indo-Pacific region? To discuss these issues, USSC 2024 Maitri Fellow Riya Sinha joined Director of Research Jared Mondschein on the podcast a few weeks ago. Sinha’s fellowship is supported by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She is also an Associate Fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) in New Dehli. Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. Produced by: Elliott BrennanMusic by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

Within a week of President Biden announcing he is ending his candidacy for a second term, Vice President Kamala Harris secured scores of endorsements, set fundraising records and secured enough delegates to become the presumptive nominee. How would a Harris administration be different from the Biden administration? Who’s on Harris’ VP short list? Does Harris stand a chance against former president Trump? To discuss these questions, USSC Non-Resident Fellow Victoria Cooper welcomed DC insiders and USSC Non-Resident Senior Fellows Bruce Wolpe and Lester Munson on the podcast. Bruce worked with Democrats in Congress during President Obama’s first term and Lester served in senior positions on the Hill, most recently as Staff Director of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. Produced by: Elliott BrennanMusic by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

Former president Donald Trump narrowly avoided death when a bullet grazed his ear at a campaign rally on 13 July. The images of him rising, holding his fist high and chanting “Fight!” while blood streamed down his face instantly became iconic. Donald Trump has been called a ‘strongman’ throughout his political career, how does this assassination attempt shape the mythology around him? What cultural factors contribute to his persona and perception at home and abroad? How could this change in his standing influence perceptions of him for the rest of the election? USSC Non-Resident Fellow Dr Yancey Orr joined Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck to discuss these questions from a cultural perspective. Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. Produced by: Elliott BrennanMusic by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

Last week, NATO leaders gathered in Washington DC for their annual summit, this year celebrating the 75th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. However, much of Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s final summit was overshadowed by scrutiny of President Biden and then quickly followed by the assassination attempt on former president Trump and the announcement of his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance. What was the main objective for NATO at this summit and was it achieved? Did competing for attention with President Biden and former president Trump hinder those objectives? What does the announcement of Senator JD Vance, one of the most prominent voices against aid for Ukraine mean for the future of NATO under a second Trump administration? To discuss these issues, we welcomed USSC Senior Lecturer in US Politics and Foreign Policy Dr Gorana Grgic back on the podcast for a conversation with USSC Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck. Dr Grgic attended the NATO Summit again this year and offered her perspective on the experience in the room as the eyes of the world were on DC. Recommended reading and listening:USSC Briefing Room | Inside the NATO Vilnius Summit with Dr Gorana Grgic and Mari Koeck‘I don’t really care what happens to Ukraine’: what a JD Vance vice presidency could mean for the world by Ava Kalinauskas and Samuel GarrettRed Book | Blue Book 2024: A guide to the next US administration by variousRedefining NATO’s Indo-Pacific partnerships: cooperative security meets collective defence and deterrence by Dr Gorana GrgicSubscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. Produced by: Elliott BrennanMusic by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

The US Supreme Court handed down their ruling in former president Trump’s immunity case and it granted far broader immunity than most experts anticipated.Why was the ruling so expansive? What does this mean for Trump’s criminal trials? How will this change the presidency going forward?To discuss these issues, we welcomed Chas Licciardello from ABC’s Planet America back on the podcast to follow up on his initial discussion with USSC Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck.Read the full Supreme Court ruling.If you can’t get enough of US politics, in addition to Planet America, check out Chas’ Planet Extra Podcast with Chas and Dr Dave, featuring Chas in conversation with USSC Associate Prof. David Smith each week: YouTube, Spotify, iTunes, Google and Stitcher.Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.Produced by: Elliott BrennanMusic by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

President Biden’s approval rating is at an all-time low and the number of “double haters” who want neither candidate is at an all-time high. The US system is driving the selection of candidates further and further away from the mainstream. Campaign financing contributes to this. How did Trump and Biden become their party’s nominee with so little public support? What systems contribute to the polarisation of politics? Could campaign finance reform lead to candidates with a broader appeal? USSC Director of Research Jared Mondschein spoke with Prof. Raymond La Raja, Professor of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts Amhurst, about his research into campaign finance reform. Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. Produced by: Elliott BrennanMusic by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

Joe Biden and Donald Trump’s debate in Atlanta was always going to be one for the history books. Never before had a general election debate occurred before the party conventions officially named them as their presidential nominees. But following a debate performance that even President Biden conceded was not his best, the most historical aspect of the debate was how many Democrats want to take advantage of the early debate timing and change their nominee altogether. If Democratic primary votes already occurred, what’s the process for Democrats changing their candidate? Which Democrats will be the most influential in deciding Joe Biden’s future? Beyond Vice President Kamala Harris, who are Democrats to watch as potential successors? USSC Non-Resident Fellow Lester Munson, a DC insider with extensive experience in the legislative and executive branches of government, speaks with Research Director Jared Mondschein on the potential pathways forward for an increasingly uncertain Democratic ticket. Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. Produced by: Elliott BrennanMusic by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeatSubscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. Produced by: Elliott BrennanMusic by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

As American politics has become increasingly polarised, experts and analysts have explored avenues for electoral reform to shift voting to be more representative. One solution is ranked-choice voting (RCV), which is standard in Australia, but only appears in a fraction of jurisdictions in the United States. Why is ranked-choice voting so rare in the United States? What is driving the movement to adopt it in more jurisdictions? How can Australia’s method of voting address “the fundamental issue in American politics” today? USSC Non-Resident Fellow Prof. Benjamin Reilly is a scholar of electoral reform who has worked on reforms in a number of different US states. He spoke with Director of Research Jared Mondschein about the uptick in interest around RCV and the difference it can make in US politics. Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. Produced by: Elliott BrennanMusic by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

On 17 June 2021, President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, making the day a federal public holiday. What did this new holiday celebrate? What role does Juneteenth play in American history? How is it different from Martin Luther King Jr Day? To discuss these questions Senior Lecturer in American Studies at the United States Studies Centre (USSC) Dr Kathryn Schumaker joined Director of Research Jared Mondschein on the podcast. Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. Produced by: Elliott BrennanMusic by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

The war in Ukraine was a wake-up call for nations around the world as they saw how quickly one crisis could consume the national supply of certain munitions. The Australian Government addressed this in both its 2023 Defence Strategic Review and 2024 National Defence Strategy through the prioritisation of the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) and acceleration of the GWEO enterprise. However, these aspirations are a long way from becoming reality and bridging the gap from where we are now to where we want to be is a key focus of the United States Studies Centre (USSC). How depleted are munitions stockpiles after Ukraine? How does GWEO address Australia’s defence needs? What can Australia learn from others about how to stand up this new production capacity? In June, USSC brought Senior Fellow and Director with the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security Dr Stacie Pettyjohn to Australia to speak to our Women in the Alliance Network and she joined us on the podcast to reflect on these questions and the discussions she had while in Australia. Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. Produced by: Elliott BrennanMusic by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

In November, Americans will head to the polls to cast their vote for who will hold the most powerful office in the world – Joe Biden or Donald Trump. But it isn’t only Americans who are impacted. What would a Trump administration vs Biden administration 2.0 mean for allies and partners around the world? What will stay the same regardless of who wins? And, importantly, what can countries do now to prepare for the next four years? Last week, the USSC released its election-year Red Book | Blue Book: A guide to the next US administration report to answer these questions and more across everything from AUKUS to climate change. Between now and the election, we’re going to bring you episodes that take a look at different chapters in the report and give you the Red Book | Blue Book breakdown on that topic. To kick things off, we welcomed USSC CEO Dr Michael Green back on the podcast to talk about his chapter: What the 2024 election means for America’s Asian alliances. Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. Produced by: Elliott BrennanMusic by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

On 20 May 2023, on the sidelines of the Quad Leaders’ Summit, President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a third pillar of the Australia-US alliance: the climate, critical minerals and clean energy transformation compact. What does this compact involve? How much progress has been made in the past year? What will happen to this pillar of the alliance if former president Trump is re-elected? To discuss these issues, USSC Non-Resident Fellow Lachlan Carey joined Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck on the USSC Briefing Room. Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Produced by: Elliott BrennanMusic by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

Economic security is on the minds of leaders everywhere. From trade barriers to industrial policy to crackdowns on foreign investments, growing strategic competition is shaping the global economy. What is economic security? What are the trade-offs involved? And how can Australia adapt to this changing world? Director of Economic Security Hayley Channer is joined by USSC Non-Resident Fellow Helen Mitchell to discuss Helen's new report: Unlocking economic security: a strategic playbook for Australia. Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Produced by: Elliott BrennanMusic by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

In January, the DC Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that there is no presidential immunity that would shield former president Trump from prosecution in the case against him regarding his actions to overturn the results of the 2020 election. But the US Supreme Court said they would take up the question, hearing the oral arguments on their last day of this judicial term.Why did the Supreme Court step in after the DC Circuit Court of Appeals had made a unanimous ruling? What is at stake for former president Trump? What are the long-term ramifications beyond President Trump?To discuss these issues, Chas Licciardello, co-host of ABC’s Planet America who also holds a law degree, joined us shortly after the oral arguments to discuss the issues at play and what this means not just for former president Trump’s cases, but all future presidents.Featured clip:Justice Alito questions Michael Dreeben. First posted by @TheRecount.Recommended reading, listening and watching:Planet America Fireside Chat (Friday 26/4/2024) ft. John Barron and Chas Licciardello where they talk about key takeaways from Trump’s immunity caseWas Trump benefitting from being out of the news? By Nate CohnNYT/Siena poll referred to in the By the Numbers statsTrump’s immunity argument before the US Supreme Court ft. Bruce WolpeTrump trial hears of ‘catch and kill’ tabloid scheme ft. Associate Prof. David SmithIf you can’t get enough of US politics, in addition to Planet America, check out Chas’ 'Planet Extra Podcast with Chas and Dr Dave', featuring Chas in conversation with USSC Associate Prof. David Smith each week: YouTube, Spotify, iTunes, Google and Stitcher.Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Produced by: Elliott BrennanMusic by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

In honour of International Jazz Day, we’re releasing a special episode of the USSC Briefing Room with the Founder and Director of The Jazz and Democracy Project® (J&D) Dr Wesley Watkins. His program integrates jazz into the study of US history, government, civics and culture, specifically, but also into the humanities more broadly, making J&D a captivating way for students to engage democratic and egalitarian ideals through a range of themes and subject areas. It has been widely popular both across the US and around the world. You may have heard Wes interviewed on ABC radio or mentioned on NPR.What can jazz help us understand about democracy that other musical examples cannot? How do current politics relate to this metaphor? What traits of a good jazz musician should we also look for in a president?Featured songs:“City Sunrise” by Ninety Miles, Live at Cubadisco (Concord Music Group, 2012) Stefon Harris (vibraphone solo), Christian Scott (trumpet), David Sánchez (tenor sax), Harold López-Nussa (piano), Yandy Martinez González (bass), Ruy Adrián López-Nussa (drums) and Edgar Martínez Ochoa DeZabalegui (djembe). Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm-5n30qqtY"Blue Train" (J. Coltrane) from the Conrad Herwig album, The Latin Side of John Coltrane (Astor Place, 1996). The trading features Brian Lynch (trumpet) & Conrad Herwig (trombone), backed by Eddie Palmieri (piano), John Benitez (bass), Adam Cruz (drums), Jose Clausell (timbales) and Milton Cardona (congas) with Mike Ponella & Ray Vega on backing trumpets, plus Ronnie Cuber on baritone sax. Learn more about The Jazz and Democracy Project® here:https://www.jazzdemocracy.com/https://www.jazzdemocracy.com.au/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=327CfZ_ogRo Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. Produced by: Elliott BrennanMusic by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

When a delegation from the United States Studies Centre (USSC) travelled to Washington DC in 2023, AUKUS came up in every conversation and Australia eagerly awaited a visit from President Biden to Australia that didn’t eventuate. Now we are discussing potentially expanding AUKUS to include Japan and significant legislative reforms are making US-Australia defence collaboration stronger than ever.How much has changed in Washington from a year ago? Is the potential for JAUKUS making waves in DC like it is in Australia? How much daylight is there between the US and Australian foreign policy communities on these issues at this time?USSC Research Fellow Tom Corben and Research Associate Sophie Mayo discussed these questions with Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck following their visit to Washington DC last month.Check out the readout from the 2023 USSC delegation to Washington here: What do Washington and Canberra think of each other?Recommended reading and listening:Patience, please. AUKUS Pillar 2 is indeed making progress by Tom Corben and Sophie MayoFoundations for AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines: Perspectives from AUKUS partners by Prof. Peter Dean, Alice Nason, Dr Philip Shetler-Jones and Dr Charles EdelThe university sector’s value proposition for AUKUS: Times Higher Education Summit outcomes report by Prof. Peter Dean, Sophie Mayo and Alex FavierUSSC Briefing Room | AUKUS: One year since the 'optimal pathway' with Prof. Peter Dean, Alice Nason and Mari KoeckAre Biden and Congress playing chicken with AUKUS? By Tom Corben and Alice NasonSubscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Produced by: Elliott BrennanMusic by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

The rules-based order is under stress in the Indo-Pacific and, according to the latest report from Freedom House, democracy has declined for an 18th consecutive year globally. Both Japan and Australia have strong commitments to development assistance in the region, but a new report from the United States Studies Centre (USSC) argues that this is not enough to counter elite capture, misinformation and other malign influences in the region.What are the stakes for democracy promotion in the Indo-Pacific? How much daylight is there between the Japanese and Australian approaches to development assistance and democracy promotion? Where can the countries go from here?USSC Non-Resident Senior Fellow Dr Lavina Lee spoke with Research Director Jared Mondschein about these questions and the new report she edited.Aligning values and interests: Japanese and Australian democracy support in the Pacific and Southeast Asiawas edited by Dr Lavina Lee and features Chikako Kodama, Hitsubashi University Graduate School of Law PhD candidate; Dr John Lee, Hudson Institute Senior Fellow; Dr Yuki Miyoda, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Frontier Sciences project researcher; and Prof. Hiroaki Shiga, Yokohama National University professor at the Graduate School of International Social Sciences. It is now available for download.Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Produced by: Elliott BrennanMusic by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

With the two oldest presidential presumptive nominees in US history, the stakes for the vice presidential selection have never been higher. In 2016 Mike Pence helped deliver the evangelical vote for Trump, but he seems to be going a different direction in 2024. All eyes are on who he will ultimately choose.Will Trump look for a VP to help win swing states? Do any of his former presidential competitors stand a chance? How will Trump’s VP pick change the election?USSC Director of Research and the Politics, Society and Culture Program Jared Mondschein sat down with research associates Samuel Garrett and Ava Kalinauskas to discuss their recently launched tracker: Trump’s VP shortlist: What Australians should know.Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Produced by: Elliott BrennanMusic by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

One year ago, Anthony Albanese, Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden gathered at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego to share the ‘optimal pathway’ for Australia to acquire the nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement. This critical step laid out the timeline, the type of submarines that would be acquired and the price tag of $268-$368b for AUKUS Pillar I.But we wanted to check in, one year after the optimal pathway was announced. How are we progressing? Was the pathway realistic? And what are the barriers would be most likely to derail this plan?United States Studies Centre (USSC) Director of Foreign Policy and Defence Prof. Peter Dean and Research Associate Alice Nason joined Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck to discuss.Read more:AUKUS inflection point: Building the ecosystem for workforce development by Peter Dean, Alice Nason, Sophie Mayo and Samuel GarrettAUKUS has become a case study in generational politics by Peter Dean and Alice NasonAre Biden and Congress playing chicken with AUKUS? by Tom Corben and Alice NasonThe university sector’s value proposition for AUKUS: Times Higher Education Summit outcomes report by Peter Dean, Sophie Mayo and Alex FavierThe social licence for AUKUS has not yet been earned by Sophie Mayo, Peter Lee and Alice Nason Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Produced by: Elliott Brennan

This is the third in a series of three episodes this week recorded following USSC’s Indo-Pacific Strategy Simulation in November 2023. In these recordings, leading regional experts sit down with our own resident scholars to discuss Indo-Pacific security issues, trilateral cooperation between Australia, Japan and the United States, and the finer points of designing and playing a strategic simulation. This episode features Prof. Peter Dean, Director of the Foreign Policy and Defence Program at the USSC in conversation with Jacqueline Borsboom, Managing Director for Australia at the Asia Group. Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Produced by: Elliott Brennan

This is the second in a series of three episodes this week recorded following USSC’s Indo-Pacific Strategy Simulation in November 2023. In these recordings, leading regional experts sit down with our own resident scholars to discuss Indo-Pacific security issues, trilateral cooperation between Australia, Japan and the United States, and the finer points of designing and playing a strategic simulation. This episode features Prof. Peter Dean, Director of the Foreign Policy and Defence Program at the USSC in conversation with Zack Cooper, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington DC. You can also hear from Zack Cooper and Peter Dean in the recording from the Sydney International Strategy Forum panel discussion on AUKUS, the Quad and the future of alliances and partnerships here. Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Produced by: Elliott Brennan

This week on the podcast, we’re bringing you the first three episodes in a series recorded following USSC’s Indo-Pacific Strategy Simulation in November 2023. In these recordings, leading regional experts sit down with our own resident scholars to discuss Indo-Pacific security issues, trilateral cooperation between Australia, Japan and the United States, and the finer points of designing and playing a strategic simulation. This episode features Dr Michael Green, CEO of the USSC, in conversation with Nobukatsu Kanehara, Executive Director of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation in Tokyo, Japan. You can also hear from Nobukatsu Kanehara in the recording from the Sydney International Strategy Forum panel discussion on AUKUS, the Quad and the future of alliances and partnerships here. Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Produced by: Elliott Brennan

After a year of travel, conferences and meetings in the four Quad countries — Australia, India, Japan and the United States — four think tank experts from across the Indo-Pacific enter the USSC Briefing Room to discuss Quad cooperation. What is the Quad trying to achieve? What is and isn’t working well and how can the four countries more closely and effectively cooperate on their shared vision for the region?In this ‘QuadPod’, Lucas Meyers, from the Wilson Center in the United States, Dr Gaurav Saini from the Council for Strategic and Defense Research in India, Dr Shu Uchida from Waseda University in Japan, and the USSC’s own Victoria Cooper share their views on the big questions.Read more:The Quad topic on ussc.edu.auWhat is the Quad? by Blake Berger, Victoria Cooper, Lucas Myers, Shu Uchida, and Gaurav SainiBolstering the Quad: The case for a collective approach to maritime security by Tom Corben, Ashley Townshend, Blake Herzinger, Darshana M Baruah, and Dr Tomohiko SatakeThe Quad is edging closer to collective maritime defence by Tom CorbenSubscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Produced by: Elliott Brennan

Last week, the special counsel Robert Hur released his report with findings of his investigation into President Biden’s handling of classified documents after he left the office of vice president. While a legal vindication in that he will not be charged, it has poured petrol on the fire that is discussion on Biden’s age and whether he’s up for a second term. We dove into this topic with Washington insider, United States Studies Centre Non-Resident Senior Fellow Bruce Wolpe.How much of a risk is this to Biden’s campaign? Who is winning the messaging war between Republicans and Democrats? And, ultimately, what would actually have to happen in order for President Biden to step aside?Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Produced by: Elliott Brennan

Last month, world leaders gathered in Dubai for the UN Climate Change Conference – COP 28. The loss and damage agreement supporting nations impacted by climate change made headlines, but the walk back of language around fossil fuels was viewed by many as a step backwards.Was COP28 a net positive or negative? How relevant is COP anymore? Where should global efforts focus to mitigate climate change?United States Studies Centre (USSC) Non-Resident Fellow Lachlan Carey, Manager at RMI sat down with USSC Research Director Jared Mondschein to discuss COP28 and next steps for climate action in 2024.Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Produced by: Elliott Brennan

The first contest of the 2024 US presidential election kicked off in Iowa this week. Dedicated Republicans turned out and voiced support for Donald Trump, delivering him the majority of votes with a 30-point margin over his competition. Ron DeSantis barely beat out Nikki Hayley for the number two spot, but Hayley was the only candidate to win a precinct other than Trump.Going into the next primaries, does anyone stand a chance against Trump? What would be the pathway to victory for a Trump challenger? Who is a likely choice for vice president?United States Studies Centre Non-Resident Senior Fellow Lester Munson joined Research Director Jared Mondschein to break down what happened in Iowa and what this means for Trump’s candidacy.Read more:Trump wins big in Iowa, now what? By Lester MunsonA guide to the 2024 presidential election: from primaries to president by Ava Kalinauskas and Samuel GarrettUSSC Insights | Reactions to IowaWhere the ‘other’ 2024 Republican candidates stand on Australia and the world by Ava Kalinauskas and Samuel Garrett Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Produced by: Elliott Brennan

Looking for something to read? In our ‘Book Talk’ series, our experts discuss their book projects and why you should read them. In this episode, Associate Professor David Smith talks through his research on religious persecution in the United States, the role of religion in politics, and ideas of political order, social cohesion and American identity. Why does a country that sees religious freedom as central to its founding have such a painful history with religious persecution? How does the US experience compare with what we’ve seen in Australia? Where is the United States today on the spectrum of religious persecution and protection? Associate Professor Smith’s 2015 book Religious Persecution and Political Order in the United States was published by Cambridge University Press. Produced by Elliott Brennan

Are you wondering what to read over the holiday period? In our ‘Book Talk’ series, our experts discuss their latest book projects and why you should read them. In this episode, USSC CEO Dr Michael J. Green sheds light on the evolution of Japan’s grand strategy. How is Abe’s strategic approach to the Indo-Pacific reflected in Japan, Australia and the United States today? What lessons can be learned from Abe’s approach to China and the Trump administration? Why is the relationship between Australia and Japan deepening? How might strategic competition end? Dr Green’s 2022 book, Line of Advantage: Japan’s Grand Strategy in the Era of Abe Shinzō, draws from Mike’s long-standing connection with the former Prime Minister and provides a unique political and historical context of Japan’s security policy and the role of US alliances in the Indo Pacific. Read more: Dr Michael J Green, Line of Advantage: Japan’s Grand Strategy in the Era of Abe Shinzō, (Columbia University Press, 2022) USSC Director of Research Jared Mondschein and Research Editor Victoria Cooper, One year from the 2024 US presidential election: The stakes for Australia and the alliance (United States Studies Centre, 2023) Produced by Elliott Brennan

Taiwan does not have formal diplomatic relations with Australia and the United States, but they do have diplomatic representatives in both countries and formal or informal ties all over the world. Taiwan’s representative to Australia Douglas Hsu sat down with Research Director Jared Mondschein to discuss the state of play in Taiwan on the precipice of their upcoming presidential election.What challenges does not having formal diplomatic ties to Australia and the United states bring? Is Taiwan being used as a pawn in strategic competition with China? How concerned is Taiwan about whether the United States or Australia would come to its defence if China decides to invade it?Douglas Hsu is Taiwan’s Representative to Australia. He was previously Director General of North American Affairs within Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and served in the Political and Congressional Liaison divisions of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States.You may also want to watch our event replay Taiwan's upcoming election: The implications for Australia featuring Douglas Hsu, Richard McGregor, Dr Lavina Lee and Dr Michael Green. Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Produced by: Elliott Brennan

Since the US withdrawal from TPP in 2017, Australia has remained keen to see the United States re-engage Asia on trade. The Biden administration launched the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) in May of 2022 to balance economic engagement in the region with a “foreign policy for the middle class” approach that prioritised increasing labor and environmental standards. Some early harvest provisions were announced at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit last month, but in balancing trade with labour policy, questions remain over their value for IPEF member countries.How is the Biden administration’s economic strategy in Asia different than prior administrations? How should Australia and other US allies understand US opinion on trade strategy? Did the early harvest provisions announced at APEC earn a passing grade or is it too little, too late?United States Studies Centre (USSC) Economic Security Director Hayley Channer and Research Associate Samuel Garrett discuss their assessment of IPEF post APEC with Research Director Jared Mondschein.Read more:An economic pillar to round out US strategy in Asia: IPEF and Australia's interests by Hayley Channer, Victoria Cooper and Jared MondscheinWhat options are on the table for IPEF? by Samuel GarrettUSSC Insights | IPEF supply chain agreement by Georgia Edmonstone Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

This is the final episode in a series of four panel discussions recorded from the United States Studies Centre’s inaugural Sydney International Strategy Forum. This episode is the “AUKUS, the Quad and the future of alliances and partnerships” panel featuring:Prof. Peter Dean – Director of Foreign Policy and Defence, United States Studies CentreZack Cooper – Senior Fellow, American Enterprise InstituteRep. Akihisa Nagashima – a member of the Japanese House of RepresentativesDr Gorana Grgic – Senior Lecturer in US Politics and Foreign Policy, United States Studies CentreDr Michael Green – CEO, United States Studies CentreA video recording of this episode is available on the USSC YouTube channel here. The playlist of all recordings from the Sydney International Strategy Forum is available here. Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Produced by: Elliott Brennan

This is the third in a series of four panel discussions recorded from the United States Studies Centre’s inaugural Sydney International Strategy Forum. This episode is the “Navigating de-risking, disruption and emerging technology” panel featuring:Michaela Browning, Vice President Government and Public Policy for Asia Pacific – Google Dr John Kunkel, Senior Economic Adviser – United States Studies Centre Hayley Channer, Director Economic Security – United States Studies Centre Moderator: Jared Mondschein, Director of Research – United States Studies Centre A video recording of this episode is available on the USSC YouTube channel here. The playlist of all recordings from the Sydney International Strategy Forum is available here. Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Produced by: Elliott Brennan

This is the second in a series of four panel discussions recorded from the United States Studies Centre’s inaugural Sydney International Strategy Forum. This episode is the “US politics at the crossroads” panel featuring:§ Ryan Lizza, Chief Washington Correspondent – Politico § Olivia Nuzzi, Washington Correspondent – New York Magazine § Associate Professor David Smith, Professor in American Politics & Foreign Policy – United States Studies Centre § Bruce Wolpe, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, United States Studies Centre§ Moderator: Victoria Cooper, Research Editor – United States Studies Centre A video recording of this episode is available on the USSC YouTube channel here. The playlist of all recordings from the Sydney International Strategy Forum is available here. Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Produced by: Elliott Brennan

This week on the podcast, we’re bringing you a special series of recordings from the United States Studies Centre’s inaugural Sydney International Strategy Forum. These will each share one of the four panel discussions from the day. This episode is the “How far will US-China confrontation go?” panel featuring:Michele Flournoy – Co-Founder of West Exec Advisors and former US Under Secretary of DefenceAdmiral Phil Davidson – Former commander of US Indo-Pacific CommandDr Evan Medeiros, Professor and Penner family chair in Asia Studies in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University andThe Honourable Kim Beazley, former Australian Ambassador to the United States.Moderated by Dr Michael Green, CEO of the United States Studies Centre Dr Evan Medeiros’ book mentioned in podcast, Cold Rivals: The New Era of US-China Strategic Competition, is available here. A video recording of this episode is available on the USSC YouTube channel here. The playlist of all recordings from the Sydney International Strategy Forum is available here. Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Produced by: Elliott Brennan

We are one year out from the 2024 US presidential election. If we ignore the actuarial possibilities or something that completely derails the polling reports we’re seeing, it will be a 2020 repeat of Trump v. Biden. But what are they like behind the scenes? Do their public personas match their private personas? How does this impact their 2024 campaigns? To discuss this, we interviewed Chief Washington Correspondent for Politico Ryan Lizza and Washington Correspondent for New York Magazine Olivia Nuzzi. Ryan’s reporting on President Obama won the White House Correspondents’ Association Aldo Beckman award and Olivia won the National Magazine award for journalists under 30.Please note there is one instance of swearing in this episode. Publications mentioned in the podcast:My Private Oval Office Press Conference With Donald Trump, Mike Pence, John Kelly, and Mike Pompeo by Olivia NuzziDonald Trump on 2024: ‘I’ve Already Made That Decision’ by Olivia NuzziThe Lowy Institute poll 2012: Public opinion and foreign policy by Fergus HansonOne year from the 2024 US presidential election: The stakes for Australia and the alliance by Jared Mondschein, Victoria Cooper, Samuel Garrett and Ava Kalinauskas

This week, co-hosts Director of Research Jared Mondschein and Research Editor Victoria Cooper discuss their latest polling report, One year from the 2024 US presidential election: The stakes for Australia and the alliance which surveyed respondents in Australia, the United States and Japan. It covers all the issues most relevant to the Australia-US alliance and regional relationships at this time. Are attitudes towards China heating up or cooling down? Where is public opinion at on AUKUS at the moment? If Donald Trump wins the presidency in 2024, what does this mean for the Australia-US alliance? Tune in to find out all the latest numbers.

This month has been incredibly tumultuous in US politics. We had the historic ousting of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, courtroom drama in the cases against former president Trump and war breaking out in Israel. Republican disunity appears to be near breaking point. To help make sense of the fast-moving dynamics, Associate Professor in American Politics and Foreign Policy David Smith provides a breakdown of the latest and what to expect moving forward.What does the House speaker race reveal about the Republican Party? If convicted of a crime, would President Trump serve jail time? Where is the Republican Party on support for Israel?Tune in for answers to these questions and more.Publications mentioned in the podcast:Religious Persecution and Political Order in the United States

Next week, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is heading to the United States for an official visit with President Biden, including a state dinner. Two USSC experts have staffed state visits before, one on the US side and one on the Australian side – CEO Dr Michael Green and Senior Economic Adviser Dr John Kunkel. Their inside perspectives can give us a better understanding of what goes on behind the scenes for these sort of high-profile visits. What’s at stake? What sort of role do these visits play? Does this visit make up for the cancelled Quad trip? In this episode, they share the triumphs and foibles of past state visits (including the Trump-Morrison visit in 2019) and analyse what Prime Minister Albanese needs to be prepared for before touching down in the United States.

AUKUS Pillar II is focused on accelerating advanced capabilities, but innovation in technology is dominated by tech companies and financed through private finance. In order advance this technology for defence new funding sources, collaboration and mindset shifts across government and industry is essential. Over 2023 USSC Director of Economic Security Hayley Channer and Senior Economic Advisor Dr John Kunkel hosted a series of workshops with leaders in defence innovation, tech companies and private finance from Australia and the United States to look for solutions to unlocking private sector investment to drive Australia’s defence capability and innovation. If the government provides billions of dollars to the Department of Defence, why do they need financing from the private sector? How does the current defence – tech – finance ecosystem threaten AUKUS Pillar II? What does private sector finance stand to gain from investing in defence innovation? Tune in to this episode to get the readout from Hayley Channer and John Kunkel following their workshops with government, the tech sector and private finance. Read the UPSCALE report here

In this special episode, we share a recording of the panel discussion at the launch event for USSC’s new Women in the Alliance initiative. It featured Aurora Education Foundation CEO and American Australian Association Ltd in Australia Chair Leila Smith, Representative for Lindsay Melissa McIntosh MP and ABC journalist and broadcaster Geraldine Doogue in conversation with Research Editor Victoria Cooper. Women in the Alliance brings together a diverse group of female professionals for exclusive opportunities designed to advance and accelerate their careers, amplify their expertise and expand their professional network. Applications to join the inaugural network close on 30 September 2023. More information here.

USSC CEO Dr Michael Green was working for the White House National Security Council during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. He describes the chaos of the evacuation and the significant changes for US alliances with Australia and others across the globe in the wake of the attack. What was the atmosphere in the White House when they heard the news? What changed after 9/11? What did this mean for US alliances then and now? Dr Green shares his inside perspective and reflections on how this has changed the Australia-US alliance, 22 years on. Read the reflections from President George W. Bush and Prime Minister John Howard 20 years after 9/11 in their contributions to The Alliance at 70 here.

The Foreign Policy and Defence team co-host the deterrence dialogue with the Pacific Forum. This year was the first year back in DC since COVID. Defence representatives from both the United States and Australia were there and Ambassador Kevin Rudd presented a keynote address. What are the areas of alignment and difference between the US and Australia? What issues rose to the fore? What changed as a result of the dialogue?Foreign Policy and Defence Director Professor Peter Dean and Research Associate Alice Nason address these questions in discussion with Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck.

As the US 2024 GOP presidential hopefuls prepare for the first debate, USSC Associate Professor in American Politics and Foreign Policy David Smith and Research Editor Victoria Cooper spoke with Research Director Jared Mondschein to give a breakdown on the candidates and the odds of anyone besting former president Trump. What happened to Ron DeSantis? Will the legal challenges to Trump derail his campaign? Does anyone stand a chance of surging past Trump to secure the nomination? To read more on the 2024 Republican race, we recommend the following USSC analysis:Why the 2024 US presidential election will likely be a choice between Biden and Trump again by Victoria CooperEvangelical Christians are crucial voters in Republican primaries. Would they support DeSantis or Trump? by David SmithIndictment unlikely to erode Trump support by Victoria CooperYes, federal charges against a former president are unprecedented — but so is Trump’s political power by Jared Mondschein

With the Australia-US Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) and the joint Talisman Sabre exercise between Australian and US defence forces now officially wrapped up, USSC Director of Foreign Policy and Defence Professor Peter Dean and Research Fellow in the program Blake Herzinger give a deep-dive on all the latest developments in the maritime security space. Why are submarines getting so much attention lately? How do AUSMIN announcements stack up against the advice in Australia’s 2023 Defence Strategic Review? And what’s the big deal about the USS Canberra? All these questions and more are answered in this latest episode. To read more about the outcomes from this year’s AUSMIN, check out the latest USSC analysis below: Outside the Briefing Room | In conversation with USSC experts Tom Corben, Georgia Edmonstone and Alice Nason USSC Insights | Walking the talk at AUSMIN with Stephen Loosley AUSMIN 2023 explained by Tom Corben and Alice Nason

United States Studies Centre Senior Lecturer in US Politics and Foreign Policy Dr Gorana Grgic attended the NATO Vilnius Summit at the end of her sabbatical in Europe. At the summit this year, Ukraine was once again the main focus. Will Ukraine be given a timeline to enter NATO and what conditions do they need to meet? What is NATO going to do about Russia’s invasion which has brought war to Europe? And how has NATO’s stance towards China changed? Gorana gives a readout of everything you need to know about the summit and what she picked up from being in the room that wasn’t covered in the news.For more from Gorana on the NATO Summit read her article for The Conversation and her USSC Insights write-up.

After decades of unprecedented growth the Chinese economy slowed due to COVID-19 and the easing restrictions did not bring the anticipated economic boom. USSC Visiting Fellow and former White House staffer Dan Rosen speaks with Research Director Jared Mondschein about the stagnating growth of China’s economy and implications for the region.Did China’s growth based on so much debt mean they will “fall off the charts” economically? Where will the Chinese economy be in five years and what will this mean for the United States and Australia?For more on this topic, watch a replay of Rosen's event, How Australia can navigate US-China economic battles.

USSC Honorary Associate Dr Harry Melkonian breaks down the recent major US Supreme Court decisions from affirmative action to dismantling President Biden’s student loan forgiveness program. While most cases may not seem as significant as when the court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the repercussions of this year's decisions will still have a lasting effect. Ending affirmative action undoes nearly 50 years of precedent. Other decisions will have a direct impact on the 2024 election and the rights of businesses to turn down same-sex clients. Which cases were decided along ideological lines and which saw crossover? Why was there a different split on the independent state legislature doctrine? How far can the free speech argument for turning down business for same-sex couples be extended after the court’s ruling? Harry discusses the significant cases with USSC's Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck.Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

USSC Non-Resident Senior Research Fellow Bruce Wolpe released his latest book, Trump’s Australia: How Trumpism changed Australia and the shocking consequences of a second term the week after former President Trump was officially indicted on federal charges. In this episode, Bruce and USSC Research Editor Victoria Cooper, who worked as a research assistant on the book, sit down with Mari Koeck to break down the probability of a Trump win in 2024 and what it would mean for both the United States and Australia.What are the odds of a Trump victory in 2024? How would the impacts of a second term be different from the first? Could a candidate like Trump ever be elected in Australia?Read Bruce’s book, Trump’s Australia for more on this topic.Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

Are we in a Cold War and are there parallels from President Reagan’s term to now? On this episode of the USSC Briefing Room, we were joined by Dr William Inboden, Executive Director and William Powers Jr Chair at the Clements Center for National Security at the University of Texas-Austin and author of The Peacemaker: Ronald Reagan, the Cold War and the World on the Brink. He wrote the US Government’s national security strategy in 2006 and shares both his historic and strategic insights about what lessons we can glean from Reagan on everything from de-escalating with China to the future of the Republican Party.What parallels are there between the former Soviet Union and China today? Is the current competition with China a battle of ideas? Dr Inboden shares his insights from history and recommendations moving forward.Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

After a recent trip to Washington featuring high-level discussions at the White House, Pentagon, State Department and Congress, the United States Studies Centre’s Director of Foreign Policy and Defence Professor Peter Dean and Director of Economic Security Hayley Channer talk with Research Associate Victoria Cooper about the common threads and key takeaways from discussions with Washington and Canberra insiders.What is Washington’s take on AUKUS and ITAR reform? How optimistic are they about the future of the Quad? The USSC team give a readout on the views of Australia from Washington DC.Resources mentioned in this episode:Report on ITAR reforms by William Greenwalt and Tom Corben — Breaking the barriers: Reforming US export controls to realise the potential of AUKUSMusic by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat