Lowy Institute

In the Lowy Institute's first Food for Thought lecture in Melbourne, on 23 March, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf explored how the dangers of nuclear-armed confrontation between states might be minimised in the Asian century. He focused on relations among the United States, China, India and Pakistan, considered Japan’s difficult position, and touched upon whether a middle power like Australia could make a difference.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The inauguration of Barack Obama as president of the United States on 20 January was observed intently by billions of people around the world. One of the unusual aspects of Obama's candidacy for president was that he is such a gifted writer and speaker, a fact which has already led to comparisons with Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy. Among the crowd in front of the US Capitol on the day of the inauguration was the Lowy Institute’s Michael Fullilove. Michael provided a first-hand account of the day's events via video-conference at an event at the Lowy Institute on 23 January.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gordon Brown recently succeeded Tony Blair as prime minister of Great Britain. Several months ago the Lowy Institute hosted a leading British commentator speaking on the likely shape of British foreign policy under Gordon Brown's leadership. On Friday 16 February Tom Bentley spoke to the Lowy Lunch series on the topic: 'Gordon’s world: Remaking Britain's foreign policy after Blair'. Tom was director of Demos, one of Britain's leading independent think tanks, from 1999 to 2006. He is currently Executive Director for Policy and Cabinet in the Victorian Premier's Department and Director of Applied Learning at ANZSOG, the Australia and New Zealand School of Government.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After postings in Washington and South Asia, Nick Bryant came to Australia determined to avoid all the stereotypes and clichés that still tend to inform the world's view of the 'land down under.' He found an increasingly consequential country – diplomatically, commercially, economically and culturally. Politics was heading in the same direction, as well, until the coup that ousted Kevin Rudd. The national conversation again became narrowly parochial, as Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott reinforced their own insularity. In our Food for Thought series in Canberra, Nick Bryant explored these two countervailing themes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On 14 July, the Lowy Institute hosted a dinner for the globally renowned economist and author Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs. Professor Sachs discussed the current global energy, climate, and food crises and the world's sustainable development challenges as outlined in his new book 'Common Wealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet'.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Friday 1 May 2009, in his first major foreign policy speech as Opposition Leader and first address to the Lowy Institute, Malcolm Turnbull discussed the challenges and priorities in managing sensibly Australia's vital relationships across the region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At a breakfast on Tuesday 18 May a panel examined the prospects and trends in the commercial relationship between Australia and the United States in an era of deepening economic integration across the Asia-Pacific. The Honourable Anthony Byrne MP gave the keynote address, which was followed by this panel discussion with leading business and economic commentators.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Thursday 18 January, Graeme Dobell gave a presentation at the Lowy Institute to launch his Lowy Institute Policy Brief, entitled China and Taiwan in the South Pacific: diplomatic chess versus Pacific political rugby.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Tuesday, 29 June 2010, the Wednesday Lowy Lunch Club provided an opportunity to hear from one of the world’s leading experts on the international trading system, Professor Simon Evenett. Professor Evenett discussed the commercial policy and trade strategies of the United States, Europe, and the emerging economic powers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On 30th August at Wednesday Lunch at Lowy, Research Fellow Anthony Bubalo explored the likely trajectory of the international community's on-going dispute with Iran over its nuclear program, following Tehran's refusal to accept calls for a suspension of its uranium enrichment activities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.