Gareth Evans, former Australian Foreign Minister, and Maria Rost Rublee, an expert in international security and nuclear politics, dive into the AUKUS alliance's implications. They discuss Australia’s first acquisition of conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines and the regional anxieties this generates. The conversation highlights the contentious nuclear waste management challenges and the importance of community engagement. They also examine how Southeast Asian nations perceive AUKUS, reflecting on Australia's balancing act amidst U.S.-China tensions.