The National Security Podcast

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 implications for regional and global security.Beth Sanner is a Distinguished Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC). She is the former US Deputy Director of National Intelligence, a 35-year intelligence veteran, and now the Director of Geopolitics and Strategy for International Capital Strategies.Dr Rodger Shanahan is a former Army officer with a PhD in Arab and Islamic studies. He has previously held appointments at NSC and the Lowy Institute, with operational and diplomatic experience in the Middle East.Justin Burke is Senior Policy Advisor at NSC.TRANSCRIPTShow notes:·     NSC academic programs – find out moreWe'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Burke speaks with Euan Graham and Gorana Grgić to discuss the through lines on the surprising geopolitical events that ushered in 2026, imagining a world without the US at its center. Dr Gorana Grgić is Head of the Global Security team at the ETH Zurich’s Center for Security Studies and holds senior affiliations in Australia and the US. Her research interests include US and EU foreign policy and NATO.Dr Euan Graham is an Expert Associate at the ANU National Security College. He has extensive experience as a commentator, policy analyst and former practitioner specializing in Indo-Pacific security.Justin Burke is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College.TRANSCRIPTShow notes:·     NSC academic programs – find out more·     The Case for a Pacific Defense Pact: America Needs a New Asian Alliance to Counter China·     Asia After America | Foreign AffairsWe'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 threats posed by transnational crime, and the economic benefits of modern border management.Sally Bulkeley is Deputy Head of the ANU National Security College (NSC).Mike Outram APM is a Distinguished Advisor at NSC. He was Commissioner of the Australian Border Force from 2018 to 2024. He has served as a law enforcement officer for over 30 years.TRANSCRIPTShow notes Securing our Future conference – Register nowNSC academic programs – find out more Beyond the checkpoint: managing Australia’s border as a strategic economic and national security assetACIC CEO ‘opens the books’ on serious and organised crime | National Security College We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 security in Australia.Heather Cook is Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and Director of the Australian Institute of Criminology. She is a career intelligence professional with more than 33 years' experience.Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of the ANU National Security College. His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia.Show notes:NSC academic programs – find out moreACIC CEO ‘opens the books’ on serious and organised crime | National Security CollegeBeyond the checkpoint: managing Australia’s border as a strategic economic and national security asset by Mike OutramImpact of organised crime on Australia laid bare in new report - ABC listenWe'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Industry and Pacific Islands Affairs, outlines Australia’s integrated statecraft approach. He discusses expanding Pacific partnerships and treaties. He covers defence acquisition reform, the new Defence Delivery Agency, and building sovereign industry like shipbuilding and missile production. He explains balancing domestic build with international partnerships.

Afeeya Akhand, an Emerging Associate focused on South Korean foreign policy and social cohesion, joins Victoria Cooper, a Senior Analyst studying socio-political trends, to discuss intergenerational security. They explore how younger Australians view issues like AI, climate change, and digital misinformation, contrasting these with older generations' perspectives. Afeeya underscores the complexities of multicultural security while Victoria stresses the need for public trust. They emphasize the importance of bridging generational divides for a resilient future.

In this insightful conversation, Admiral David Johnston, the newly appointed Chief of the Defence Force and a veteran of the Royal Australian Navy, reflects on nearly 50 years of service. He discusses the importance of a maritime focus for Australia's defence strategy, highlighting the need for advanced capabilities like submarines. Johnston emphasizes adapting to evolving threats, the significance of partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, and lessons from Ukraine's innovations in warfare. He encourages a new generation to consider careers in the ADF, underscoring their vital role in national security.

Kathryn McMullan, the newly appointed Director of the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation, shares her insights on the evolution of AGO within the National Intelligence Community. She highlights the significance of geospatial intelligence in statecraft and its synergy with Five Eyes and regional partnerships. Kathryn discusses the importance of innovation, workforce preparedness, and technology in optimizing AGO's capabilities. She emphasizes collaboration with the commercial sector and the future of data management, urging for a culture of resilience and empowerment within the organization.

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 digital age.  Tom Rogers AO is a former Australian Electoral Commissioner and a Distinguished Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC). He is a member of the Advisory Committee for NSC’s Community Consultation initiative. Tim Wilford is Director of NSC’s Community Consultation Initiative. TRANSCRIPT Show Notes NSC academic programs – find out more  NSC’s Community Consultations initiative Judith Brett's book: From Secret Ballot to Democracy Sausage  We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seth G. Jones, a national security scholar and author focused on defense and strategy, discusses deepening China‑Russia‑Iran‑North Korea ties and the risk of multi‑theatre conflict. He covers allied readiness, munitions and stockpile shortfalls, co‑production benefits, AUKUS submarine deterrence, and fragile supply chains for critical minerals and long‑range logistics.