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 A

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

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

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 Solomo

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

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

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 incorporat

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?

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

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 Oce