2026 National Defence Strategy: evolution, not revolution

More from The National Security Podcast All episodes →

1. 

   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…

2. 

   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…

3. 

   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…

4. 

   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…

5. 

   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…

6. 

   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…

7. 

   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…

8. 

   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…

9. 

   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…

10. 

    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…