The National Security Podcast

Is press freedom a national security issue? If it is, what does that mean for Australia’s regional relations and its fight against foreign interference? In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Katherine Mansted and Rory Medcalf discuss their recent submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and National Security on freedom of the press. They  also unpack pivotal national security issues for the region in the past year and discuss what policymakers should keep an eye out for in 2020.Rory Medcalf is the head of the National Security College at The Australian National University. His professional background involves more than two decades of experience across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks and journalism.Katherine Mansted is a Senior Adviser for Public Policy at the National Security College and a Non-resident Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.Chris Farnham is the presenter of the National Security Podcast. He j

In this National Security Podcast, Dr Charles Edel and Dr Gorana Grgic discuss the details of the new United States Studies Centre report, Impeachment: The insider’s guide. Dr Edel explains the origins of the impeachment process and how it works, and when it was designed to be applied. Dr Grgic takes us through President Trump's peculiar brand of foreign policy-making, what it means for states in Eastern Europe facing Russian aggression, and how it came to be that Rudi Giuliani was able to run his own parallel and unaccountable US foreign policy in Ukraine. Finally, we ask what this all means for America’s allies and security partners in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.Charles Edel is Senior Fellow and Visiting Scholar at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. Prior to this appointment, he was Associate Professor of Strategy and Policy at the US Naval War College and served on the US Secretary of State’s Policy Planning Staff from 2015-2017.Gorana Grgic is a jointly appointed Lecturer at th

In this National Security Podcast, Defence Minister Mariya Didi explains what drives the Maldives to look to its democratic neighbours, India and Sri Lanka, as the nation’s security partners and most important relationships. She talks of the impact of climate change on the island nation and tells us what it is like to live on and make policy for islands whose highest elevation is less than 5 metres above sea level as oceans rise. In a very candid and personal way, Minister Didi also details the struggle for democracy in the Maldives. She reflects on her experience of being ousted by the country’s security forces, only to return to government and command those very same forces as their Defence Minister. Minister Didi also provides insight into her leadership style, the pathway to reconciliation, and the sources of her personal courage and motivation.Mariya Didi is the current Minister for Defence of the Republic of Maldives, a former Member of Parliament and a leading human rights activist in the country.Chris

In this National Security Podcast, Zac Rogers and Katherine Mansted talk about why political leaders have long been attracted to the idea that technology is a revolutionary key to progress and power. They also discusses how ideas about technology and modernity have animated brutal political regimes, global business models, and ideologies – from Leninism to Maoism. From China’s emerging brand of 'techno-authoritarianism' to the 'technological nihilism' of some Silicon Valley companies, we ask how emerging technologies are shaping politics, power, and security.Hugely powerful digital corporations shape our daily preferences and behaviours, and potentially even our brains. Is the digital revolution on track to be an 'organ transplant the body rejects'? How can governments tame technology to serve their interests and values? And what would a whole-of-society conversation about digital democracy look like?Zac Rogers is Research Lead at the newly-established Jeff Bleich Centre for the US Alliance in Digital Technol

In this National Security Podcast, Nicholas Rasmussen, former director of national counter-terrorism in the United States, and Jacinta Carroll, Australian policy professional in countering violent extremism, join Chris Farnham to talk about how current policy is hampering a whole-of-government response to domestic terrorism. The panel discuss how extremism policy differs from country to country, the role of politicians, and the tech sector's responsibility to recognise the difference between freedom of expression and the encouragement of violence.Jacinta Carroll is the Director of National Security Policy at the ANU National Security College. She was previously the inaugural head of ASPI’s Counter-Terrorism Policy Centre.Nicholas Rasmussen is a national security expert with over 27 years in US government service. He is Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Visiting Fellow at The Australian National University, former Director of the US National Counterterrorism Center, and current Senior Director of the McCain Inst

What poses the greatest risk, Islamic terrorism or far-right extremism?First exploring whether right-wing extremism is a new challenge and why conspiracy theories seem to have such great influence with the ‘alt-right’ and ultra-nationalists, the panel ask if there is a counter-balance to the threat of right-wing extremism.In the second pod of the series Nick Rasmussen, the former head of US national counter-terrorism, and terrorism expert Jacinta Carroll will talk policy options to deal with this challenge.Alex Mann is a Sydney-based broadcast journalist with the ABC's flagship investigative podcast, Background Briefing. In 2017, he was recognised as South Australia’s Journalist of the Year and has won several other media awards for his reporting.Kristy Campion is a lecturer in terrorism studies at Charles Sturt University, with special focus on the history of terrorism and right-wing extremism. She holds first-class honours in terrorism history and a PhD on the same topic.Chris Farnham is the presenter of th

As Facebook advances its plan for a new cryptocurrency – Libra – we ask what the fintech revolution means for national security. Will a major player like Facebook take crypto mainstream, and if so, how could that reshape global financial flows and economic power? In this National Security Podcast, Katherine Mansted explores what is shaping the cryptocurrency landscape - from the invisible creators of Bitcoin, to nation-states with a penchant for fintech innovation. We discuss the opportunities and pitfalls of Facebook’s proposed new cryptocurrency, Libra, as well as the other crypto actors on the scene. Chris Zappone is Digital Foreign Editor at The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, where his writing focuses on the interplay between technology, politics, economics, and the future. Elise Thomas is a Researcher working with ASPI’s International Cyber Policy Centre. She has previously worked as a freelance journalist, including writing for Wired, Guardian Australia, SBS, Crikey and The Interpreter. Katherine Manste

Too often, discussion of the 'Indo-Pacific' is heavily focused on China, the United States and India. While these nations are the biggest actors in the region, it is important to note that they are not the only nations with influence. As security policy evolves, we ask how other nations, from big economies such as Japan and Indonesia, to smaller states like Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, are internalising the concept and incorporating it into national strategy. In this week's episode, Chris Farnham goes in depth on national strategies in the Indo-Pacific region. Chatting Southeast Asia with Greta Nabbs Keller, the Pacific islands with Joanne Wallis, and then turning to Hiroyasu Akutsu for a discussion on Japan, this National Security Podcast offers insight into the shifting sands of the regions' policies. Hiroyasu Akutsu is a Senior Fellow and Professor at the National Institute for Defense Studies in Tokyo. He specializes in political and military issues on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia, Japan-Austr

As technology alters the constraints that geography poses on nations, societies, and individuals, how will national security change? How will the fragmentation of society along lines of proximity, ethnicities, and belief systems evolve in an increasingly networked world? Is Brexit the beginning of disintegration for Europe, can Russia ever be brought in from the cold, and what role, if any, does the EU have to play in the tensions between the US and China? In this National Security Podcast, Chris Farnham talks to Jean-Marie Guéhenno, the author of The Fog of Peace, on how nations will evolve and what that means for national – or even city-based – security. In a networked world of fragmenting societies, the impact of technology and the balkanisation of the tech sector will change how we relate to each other and how we identify, collectivise, and defend ourselves. We also discuss the ‘what now’ for Europe in the face of a disruptive Russia, and whether the two will ever find common ground. Jean-Marie Guéhenno i

In this episode of the National Security Podcast we talk to Kelly Magsamen about American national security policy - what is driving it, where it is going, and if we’re headed into a cul-de-sac of policy failure. We also find out if the Obama administration moved too slowly to counter China’s militarisation of the South China Sea or whether it was a mistake by Beijing to even build bases amongst its Southeast Asian neighbours. And we ask considering the global rules-based order, why should we care anymore and did it ever even matter? Kelly Magsamen is the vice president for National Security and International Policy at the Center for American Progress. Prior to joining American Progress, she served in various national security positions. Magsamen was the principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs and performed the duties of assistant secretary of defense. In these positions, she was a lead adviser to the secretary of defense for U.S. defense policy and strategy acro

In this National Security Podcast extra, we speak to Professor Hugh White AO about his new book, How to Defend Australia. Hugh argues for a radical shift in the way we view America’s role in Asia, and that Australia can no longer count on US support should it find itself under the threat of being attacked. The discussion includes how China’s expanding economic and military power is dominating the region and what that means for the structure of Australia’s defence forces. As the region shifts and China flexes its military and economic muscles, how should Australia structure its national defence for the coming decades? Throughout his book, Hugh suggests that Australia should abandon its current plans for 12 French submarines and building 24 submarines, sell most of its newer vessels, and double the purchase of Joint Strike Fighter aircrafts. Little has set a fire under Australia’s national security community this much since his last book, The China Choice. Join us for an in-depth conversation where we test some

As geopolitical competition intensifies again in the region, Southeast Asia finds itself increasingly pressured by China and the US. Whilst China aggressively pursues its claim over Southeast maritime territory, it also commits to large investment programs throughout the region. And as the US defence establishment works to convince East Asia that American commitment to the region is not waning, President Trump continues to sow uncertainty with diplomacy by Twitter. How is Southeast Asia reacting to these new regional flows, what is important to the people of the region, and how well are they being represented by their political leaders? How does the political communicate with the social? What role is the new media landscape playing in this new relationship? In this podcast, Chris Farnham speaks to three journalists from leading Southeast Asian media outlets discussing East Asian geopolitics, the influence of great powers in the ASEAN region, and how the media landscape is reacting to the Internet and social m

Is artificial intelligence (AI) the game-changer many think it will be? Will advances in AI change the nature of competition and conflict between states, or lift the fog of war? Do the American and Chinese militaries even have what it takes to fully operationalise AI, and what are the weaknesses and risks of each country’s approach? In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Katherine Mansted learns about the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) military modernisation and China’s drive to lead the world in AI, as well as the blind spots and limitations of the PLA’s focus on innovation. She also seeks to understand the key enablers of AI — from data and cloud computing to 5G — as well as the bureaucratic and doctrinal impediments to effective AI applications, and how countries can manage the safety and escalation risks of the AI 'race'. Elsa B Kania is an adjunct senior fellow with the Technology and National Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, a non-resident fellow with the Australi

Technology and innovation are key drivers of social progress and economic prosperity. At the same time, emerging technologies can be 'double-edged swords' used to undermine security and democracy. Innovation is also no longer something driven by genius individuals or major government projects. It is a highly comercialised, globalised endeavour. This means that the private sector is often caught in the middle of nation-state power plays. It also finds itself increasingly on the front-lines of national security challenges – as a player, deliberate target, or collateral damage. In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Katherine Mansted finds out why states are increasingly engaging in acts of 'economic warfare' against each other, and how this affects private sector interests. She seeks to understand how national security policymakers can work more closely with the private sector, and how democratic governments can preserve the advantages that come with an open and global innovation sector, while manag

After a rocky start, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue is seeing somewhat of a renaissance. What is driving the renewed interest from the US, Japan, Australia, and India? What are these countries looking to achieve out of the dialogue? Is the Quad going to emerge as a method of containing China, or is this minilateral more mythical than meaningful? Listen here: In this episode of the National Security Podcast, four experts representing the thinking from each of the Quad nations put forward their positions on what the Quad is, what it is not, what each nation sees in the grouping, and where the divergences of interests may arise. Zack Cooper is a Research Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he studies US defence strategy in Asia. Dr Cooper is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Georgetown University and an associate with Armitage International. He previously served on staff at the Pentagon and White House, as well as the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Center for Stra

How are social media platforms changing who has power inside democracies and in international relations? Should Israel's recent strikes on Hamas change our thinking on cyber and the use of force? With Australia in the midst of an election and another coming up in the US next year, can ‘critical thinking’ really protect us from electoral interference and fake news? In this episode, Katherine Mansted asks three cyber experts from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business Scott Shackelford, Angie Raymond, and Abbey Stemler, on the role of international law in transnational data sharing. They also discuss whether data will be Balkanised as many suspect the Internet will be, and whether users could possibly limit the data that’s collected on them daily in the future. Angie Raymond is Associate Professor of Business Law and Ethics at Indiana University, as well as being Adjunct Associate Professor of Law. She has written widely in international commercial law, international commercial arbitration, and interna

Why are relations between Washington and Beijing increasingly competitive, and should we expect a reset any time soon? Will Washington have an enduring role to play in the Indo-Pacific? Is technological advancement making strategy more difficult in the 21st century? How can democracies respond to the rising risk of technology-enabled foreign interference? In this National Security Podcast, Katherine Mansted talks with Laura Rosenberger about the security challenges democracies face in a world of renewed great power competition and rapid technological change. They also examine the pros and cons of the Trump administration’s approach to the China challenge, and take a look at what good foreign policy could look like in the 21st century, as well as how everyone – from citizens to national governments and overseas allies and partners – can play a role in securing democracies. Laura Rosenberger is a 2019 Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Visitor with the ANU National Security College, and a director of the Alliance

On this National Security Podcast, Brigadier Ewen Murchison from the UK Ministry of Defence joins Chris Farnham to talk about futures forecasting in national and international security. What is futures forecasting and how is it different to ‘crystal ball gazing’? Can we reliably predict the future of warfare and international security, or does strategic forecasting aim to achieve something entirely different? In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Chris Farnham finds out about forecasting strategic futures with Brigadier Ewen Murchison from the Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre of the UK Ministry of Defence. They also discuss how offensive strategic weapons are changing, and answer whether arts and culture can help military planners and policymakers better plan for what’s ahead. Ewen Murchison is the Head of Futures and Strategic Analysis at the UK Ministry of Defence’s Development, Concept and Doctrine Centre (DCDC) – an internal think tank that has been responsible for publishing the Glob

How has history continuously pitted two nuclear-armed nations against each other over land-locked territory? In a deadly mix of terrorism, giant conventional forces, and nuclear weapons, India and Pakistan are again trading blows over the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. In this National Security Podcast extra, Chris Farnham hears from Dr Claude Rakisits and Dr Michael Cohen about the latest spike in violence as well as its triggers and historical context. The experts also look at the roles of other countries, control over violent extremists, and how the mutual possession of nuclear weapons affects the situation. Claude Rakisits is Honorary Associate Professor at the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy at the Australian National University, and an Associate at Georgetown University. Dr Rakisits is an expert in defence and strategic issues, international affairs, and intelligence, and is specifically interested in Pakistan, Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Africa. Michael Cohen is a Senior Lecturer at the

On this episode of the National Security Podcast, co-host Katherine Mansted talks data, cyber, democracy, and the social contract with Dr Lesley Seebeck, CEO of the Australian National University's (ANU) Cyber Institute. Is the growing collection and aggregation of data likely to empower the individual and strengthen democracy? Or is it more likely to benefit manipulative corporations and encourage authoritarian governance? How should society frame the problem of privacy and information control, and where does regulation give way to personal responsibility? Lesley Seebeck is CEO of the Cyber Institute, Australian National University (ANU), on 30 July 2018. Lesley has extensive experience in strategy, policy, management, budget, information technology and research roles in the Australian Public Service, industry and academia. Katherine Mansted joined the National Security College as a Senior Researcher in 2018. Katherine’s professional background includes work in both law and government. She has been a commerc