Lowy Institute

The Director-General of Security Mike Burgess delivered the 2025 Lowy Lecture before a packed Sydney Town Hall on Tuesday 4 November 2025. In his address and subsequent conversation with the Lowy Institute's Executive Director Dr Michael Fullilove, Mr Burgess spoke about the interplay between threats to Australian security, including those which emanate from abroad, and our country’s social cohesion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During his visit to the UN in September, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese re-declared Australia’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2029–30. But winning a seat on the world’s apex body is not assured, and the Council itself is facing a crisis of confidence. The Lowy Institute’s Ryan Neelam speaks with former Australian Ambassador to the UN Gary Quinlan AO about the state of the Security Council today, the case for Australia’s bid, and the impact Australia could have on global peace and security as an elected member.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joseph Torigian, a prominent China scholar and author, discusses the significant influence of Xi Jinping’s father, Xi Zhongxun, on his son’s political ideology. Torigian illuminates how Xi Senior's experiences shaped Xi Junior's approach to leadership and the Communist Party's core values. The conversation dives into the moral dilemmas faced by Xi Zhongxun, the complexities of political purges, and the careful handling of legacy by Xi Jinping. Insights into the balance between tradition and innovation provide a fascinating look at contemporary Chinese politics.

The long-awaited meeting between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has finally happened. Lowy Institute Executive Director Dr Michael Fullilove talks with Lydia Khalil and gives his take on the meeting’s outcomes and what it means for the US–Australia alliance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bilahari Kausikan, a veteran Singapore diplomat and author, discusses his insights from 'The Myth of the Asian Century'. He argues that this narrative oversimplifies Asia's complexities and masks critical thinking. Kausikan explores China's tactical appropriation of the Asian story for influence, the ongoing relevance of the U.S. in the region, and the nature of competition between these powers. He also highlights how nationalism in Southeast Asia may prevent any single nation's dominance, ensuring a balanced regional dynamic.

Until his retirement from government this year, Nick Rasmussen has worked in counter-terrorism and countering violent extremism under successive Republican and Democratic administrations in the United States since the September 11 attacks in 2001, including under the first Trump administration.  In this conversation, the Lowy Institute’s Lydia Khalil speaks with Nick about the significant changes the Trump administration has made to CT/CVE policy and how allies can adjust. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Sam Roggeveen and Interpreter Managing Editor Daniel Flitton for a conversation about what we covered this month in Australia’s best foreign affairs magazine, The Interpreter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this engaging conversation, Susan Glasser, a staff writer for The New Yorker with deep insights into US-Russia politics, and Peter Baker, Chief White House Correspondent for The New York Times, tackle pressing issues in journalism today. They discuss Trump’s disruptive presidency and the evolving adversarial role of the media. The duo highlights the chilling effects of legal threats on press freedom, the polarization of public discourse, and the critical importance of reporting from authoritarian regimes. Their insights reveal the challenges and responsibilities of contemporary journalism.

Emma Ashford, a Senior Fellow at the Stimson Center and adjunct professor at Georgetown, discusses her new book on U.S. foreign policy in a multipolar world. She stresses the importance of U.S. adaptation over maintaining its old unipolar mindset, examining the generational habits that hinder change. Ashford highlights China's hegemonic threat in Asia and the need to balance deterrence with avoiding war. She emphasizes the significance of Taiwan and suggests that the U.S. should re-evaluate its defense strategy, particularly in collaboration with allies like Australia.

Susannah Patton, Deputy Director at the Lowy Institute, and Rahman Yaacob, a research fellow specializing in Southeast Asian defense diplomacy, dive into the Southeast Asia Influence Index project. They explore the complex geopolitics of the region, revealing that China holds a slight lead over the US in influence. The duo discusses surprising findings, like India's limited reach, and highlights the importance of middle powers. They emphasize the need for Southeast Asian countries to diversify their partnerships amid growing external pressures.