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The National Security Podcast

by ANU National Security College · English · News

Expert analysis, insights and opinion on the national security challenges facing Australia and the Indo-Pacific. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 43 min
Latest: 1 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

1 Oct 2026 · 37 min

Can middle powers shape the balance of power? Geopolitical update part 2

How concerned should Australia be about the UK’s ability to deliver its side of AUKUS? What role can middle powers play as the international order becomes more fragmented? How should Australia and its partners balance alliances with their own national interests in a more contested world? In part two of our geopolitical update, Sharryn Parker is joined by Charles Edel, Dilnoza Ubaydullaeva and Euan Graham to discuss AUKUS, the role of middle powers in a changing world and how Australian can build greater strategic agency while still deepening the US alliance. Dr Charles Edel is Senior Adviser…

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Earlier episodes 28 most recent

17 Sep 2026 · 30 min

Iran, Ukraine and the limits of American power: geopolitical update part 1

How much strategic bandwidth does the United States have as it manages the Iran war, Ukraine and its wider global commitments? How are conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East changing the nature and cost of modern warfare? What does China’s growing military power and activity in the Indo-Pacific mean for Australian security? In this episode, Sharryn Parker is joined by Charles Edel, Dilnoza Ubaydullaeva and Euan Graham to discuss the wars in Iran and Ukraine – and what they are revealing about the United States’ capacity, weapons stockpiles, and the changing character of warfare. Dr Charles…
3 Sep 2026 · 45 min

Espionage, foreign interference and Australia’s national security laws

How do we balance effective national security laws with protecting individual rights and democratic freedoms? Where is the line between legitimate foreign influence and foreign interference? How well do Australia’s espionage laws protect journalism and political discourse? How should Australia’s terrorism laws respond to a threat environment increasingly involving children and different forms of violent extremism? In this episode, Sharryn Parker speaks with Jake Blight – Australia’s Independent National Security Legislation Monitor –about whether Australia’s national security laws are…
20 Aug 2026 · 45 min

The maritime gateway: ports and border security

How do ports sustain Australia’s economy, border security and defence preparedness? What are the biggest strategic challenges facing Australian ports? What role do ports play in combating organised crime and protecting Australia’s borders? What partnership, policy or capability would most improve Australia’s port security now? In this episode, Sharryn Parker speaks with Mike Gallacher and Mike Outram about the role of ‘ports’ as critical infrastructure and the challenges of protecting Australia’s maritime supply chains. Michael Gallacher is Chief Executive Officer at Ports Australia. Michael…
6 Aug 2026 · 45 min

How thirsty is AI? Competing for Australia's most strategic resource

Can Australia reframe water as a national security issue, rather than only an environmental or social policy concern? Can Australia realistically pursue both AI leadership and sustainable water management? What happens when drought, climate change, food insecurity, ageing infrastructure and economic pressure combine? Who should be at the table for a national water strategy? In this episode, Sharryn Parker speaks with Jason Alexandra and Matthew Coulton about Australia's water future, exploring why water security needs to be understood as a national security issue. Dr Jason Alexandra is a…
23 Jul 2026 · 43 min

Is Australia ready for the next pathogen threat?

How is health connected to national security? What role should the military play in health security – and where are the limits? How can Australia improve coordination across agencies before the next crisis arrives? In this episode, Sharryn Parker speaks with Esperanza Martinez and Nicholas Thomson about why pathogen preparedness, human security and health need to be understood as part of Australia’s broader security picture. Dr Nick Thomson is Academic Convenor and Fellow at the Pacific Security College. Dr Esperanza Martinez is Professor in Practice and Head of Health and Human Security at…
9 Jul 2026 · 36 min

NZ Chief of Army on Plan ANZAC and the future of land power

What is the future trajectory for Plan ANZAC? How does a small nation like New Zealand (NZ) contribute to collective security in the Indo-Pacific? How does NZ’s strategic identity differ from Australia’s? What should the future social contract between NZ and its Defence Force look like? What does effective leadership and stewardship look like? In this episode, Sharryn Parker is joined by Major General Rose King, Chief of the New Zealand Army, to discuss how NZ land forces undertakes its role in regional security and what closer cooperation with Australia looks like in practice. Major General…
25 Jun 2026 · 49 min

AUKUS at five: facts and fears

Does the flare up in recent AUKUS debates represent the perspectives of the broader Australian public? Does Australia have a credible Plan B if part of AUKUS falters? Can Australia sustain the political will and strategic patience needed for a multi-decade defence project? In this episode, Justin Burke speaks with Jennifer Parker and Peter Dean about what the latest developments mean for AUKUS, the US alliance and Australia’s long-term maritime strategy. Dr Peter Dean is Professor of Strategic Studies at The Australian National University (ANU). Jennifer Parker is an Expert Associate at the…
11 Jun 2026 · 45 min

Security, power and the perspectives we miss

Can national security be fully understood through hard power alone? Is it time for Australia to have a broader national security strategy – one that goes beyond defence and brings in federal, state and community perspectives? How can women’s experiences be integrated into a more traditional understanding of national security? In this episode, Sharryn Parker speaks with Professor Valerie Hudson and Dr Elise Stephenson about realism, power and the perspectives often missing from traditional security debates. Professor Valerie Hudson is Professor and George H.W. Bush Chair in the Department of…
28 May 2026 · 36 min

Beyond oil: what the Hormuz crisis means for Australia

Why is the Strait of Hormuz crisis about more than crude oil, and what does it reveal about Australia’s hidden supply-chain vulnerabilities? What should investment in supply chain resilience look like for Australia? Does the green transition reduce Australia’s energy security risks, or does it shift our dependence to new materials, technologies and supply chains? How can Australia move from a ‘just in time’ to a ‘just in case’ approach to national resilience? In this episode, Walter Colnaghi and David Leaney join Sharryn Parker to discuss what the Hormuz crisis means for Australia’s economic…
14 May 2026 · 40 min

“The future is expensive” – managing cost-of-living while investing in security

How should government balance national preparedness with cost-of-living pressures? Can Australia strengthen fuel security, defence capability and supply chain resilience without undermining productivity and living standards? How do economic pressures, housing stress and inequality shape public trust – and what does that mean for national security? In this episode, Aruna Sathanapally, Richard Denniss and Michael Stutchbury join Rory Medcalf to examine the intersection of national security, economic pressure and social resilience. Dr Richard Denniss is co-Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at The…
30 Apr 2026 · 45 min

2026 National Defence Strategy: evolution, not revolution

What are the real differences between the 2024 and 2026 National Defence Strategy – and why is this an evolution, not a revolution? How is Australia thinking about national resilience, and what does a ‘whole-of-nation’ approach to security look like in practice? Are we investing in the right capabilities – and at the right speed – to meet the challenges ahead? How do global conflicts, from Ukraine to the Middle East, shape Australia’s defence outlook and strategic choices? In this episode, David Andrews joins Sharryn Parker to unpack Australia’s 2026 National Defence Strategy – what’s…
16 Apr 2026 · 38 min

Truth, trust and the algorithm: can democracy keep up?

How are everyday Australians experiencing misinformation in their daily lives, and why does it feel increasingly overwhelming? How are platforms and algorithms shaping what we see? What impact is this having on trust in institutions, political decision-making and social cohesion? What does a healthy democratic information space look like? In this episode, Tanya Notley and Ika Trijsburg join Sally Bulkeley in conversation to explore the convergence of misinformation, media literacy and democratic resilience. Dr Tanya Notley is Professor in the School of Arts and Institute for Culture and…
2 Apr 2026 · 45 min

No worries? What Australians think about security, risk and resilience

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…
18 Mar 2026 · 45 min

What is driving the war in Iran – and what comes next?

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…
5 Mar 2026 · 52 min

Plotting a through line: February 2026 geopolitics update

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…
19 Feb 2026 · 40 min

Modernising Australia's border security

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…
5 Feb 2026 · 36 min

Why organised crime is now a national security threat

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…
22 Jan 2026 · 42 min

Pat Conroy on defence reform, industry and the Pacific

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…
4 Dec 2025 · 47 min

The future will thank us: an intergenerational approach to security

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…
20 Nov 2025 · 44 min

Australia’s Chief of the Defence Force: reflections on half a century of service

How is the Australian Defence Force preparing for the challenges of a changing world? Does the appointment of a naval officer as the Chief of the Defence Force signal a shift in focus to the maritime domain? What does a career in the Australian Defence Force mean in the 21st century? In this episode, Admiral David Johnston joins Rory Medcalf to discuss the insights he has gained through his career in the Royal Australian Navy, and how he sees the future of Australia’s defence. Admiral David Johnston AC RAN was appointed Chief of the Defence Force on 10 July 2024. He has extensive experience…
6 Nov 2025 · 42 min

Seeing the unseen: why geospatial intelligence is important

What are the origins of the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation (AGO), and how has the organisation developed within the National Intelligence Community? How does AGO contribute to the broader remit of Australian statecraft, the work done by other NIC agencies, and the Five Eyes partnership? What makes innovation in the geospatial intelligence space key to building resilience? In this episode Kathryn McMullan joins Sally Bulkeley to discuss the importance of geospatial intelligence, how it contributes to statecraft, and how the AGO works with other partners to enhance national…
23 Oct 2025 · 26 min

Democratic resilience in the digital age

What is democratic resilience and why is it a national security issue? Why is it important to preserve public trust and participation in the electoral process and what are some of the challenges to this? Apart from voting, what are some other ways that Australians can engage in the democratic process? What challenges do big tech companies, mis- and disinformation, and AI present in this digital age? In this episode Tom Rogers joins Tim Wilford to discuss the importance of democratic resilience in Australia, the role of civic engagement, and the challenges posed by misinformation in the…
9 Oct 2025 · 46 min

Sustaining deterrence and building defence industrial resilience

Do the US and other Western allies still maintain an edge over China in defence industry and innovation? How are partnerships between China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea reshaping the global balance of power? How do Australia and other US partners contribute to strengthening deterrence and industrial resilience? What are the key supply chain vulnerabilities we might face in a protracted conflict, and how can Australia and its partners mitigate them? In this episode, Seth Jones joins David Andrews to discuss the importance of alliances, defence industry coordination, and readiness to build…
25 Sep 2025 · 28 min

What Finland can teach Australia about national security

How does Finland view strategic linkages between the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions? What is the Finnish model of ‘Comprehensive Security’, and how does it work in practice? How does Finland communicate openly with the public about national security risks without fuelling alarm or polarisation? What lessons can Australia learn from Finland's societal-led approach to preparedness? In this episode, Pasi Rajala joins Rory Medcalf to discuss the evolving geopolitical landscape, the importance of international cooperation among democracies, and Finland's unique approach to security and…
11 Sep 2025 · 58 min

Evolving lessons in counterterrorism from 9/11 to 2025

How has the terrorism threat landscape evolved since 9/11, and what makes today’s challenges more complex? How is the counterterrorism response evolving in response to today’s rapidly shifting global landscape? How has Trump’s ‘America-First’ policy impacted the US’ relationship with the Five Eyes partners in the counterterrorism space? What can we do at a societal and community level to counter violent extremism? In this episode, Nick Rasmussen joins Sharryn Parker to discuss the evolving landscape of terrorism and counterterrorism, focusing on the complexities introduced by technology, the…
28 Aug 2025 · 51 min

Indonesia’s evolving role in the Indo-Pacific and beyond

How has Indonesia’s foreign policy evolved under President Prabowo? Is Indonesia slowly moving from being ‘non-aligned’ to being ‘multi-aligned’? How have recent US foreign and domestic policies affected its relationship with Indonesia? How can Australia and Indonesia strengthen their relationship and enhance cooperation in the Indo-Pacific? In this episode, Natalie Sambhi and Yohanes Sulaiman join David Andrews to explore Indonesia's evolving role as a strategic actor in the Indo-Pacific and its relationship with major players in the region. Dr Natalie Sambhi is Founder and Executive…
21 Aug 2025 · 43 min

The evolution of strategic deterrence

How has strategic deterrence evolved from the Cold War to contemporary times? What is ‘strategic substitution,’ and how has China used it to craft its unique approach to deterrence? How does the ‘Golden Dome’ proposed by the US fit into today’s debates on missile defence and counter-space capabilities? Does Australia need to do more to close the capability gap in relation to China’s recent modernisation? In this episode, Fiona Cunningham and Aaron Bateman join David Andrews to explore the evolution of strategic deterrence from the Cold War to contemporary times, with a focus on nuclear…
14 Aug 2025 · 43 min

Partners with limits: inside the China–Russia relationship

How aligned are China and Russia's strategic interests? How is this relationship playing out in relation to competing spheres of influence in Central Asia? What are the key points of friction in the China-Russia partnership? In this episode, Dilnoza Ubaydullaeva and Graham Meehan join Sally Bulkeley to delve into the complex dynamics of the China-Russia relationship, exploring the alignment and divergence of their strategic interests. Dr Dilnoza Ubaydullaeva is a Lecturer at the ANU National Security College (NSC). Graham Meehan is a former diplomat, including having served overseas as the…

About The National Security Podcast

Expert analysis, insights and opinion on the national security challenges facing Australia and the Indo-Pacific. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The National Security Podcast is a English news podcast from ANU National Security College. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: ANU National Security College
Language: English
Category: News
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 43 min
Latest episode: 1 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1395131021
Rights: ANU National Security College

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