

The Focus
Auscast Network
The Focus is the flagship current affairs podcast of SAGE International, an independent, Adelaide-based geopolitical think tank.
Hosted by Dr. John Bruni—a veteran geopolitical commentator with over 24 years in the Australian media—The Focus brings a critical edge to global affairs. John's expertise is built on decades of experience, including time with the Royal United Services Institute of Australia, work as a university lecturer, senatorial foreign affairs adviser, analyst for Jane’s Intelligence Review, and Gulf-based military analyst.
Produced by Neil Smart, The Focus cuts through the noise of biased media to deliver sharp, informed insights into the major issues shaping Australia and the world. In an age of global disruption and complexity, knowing which questions to ask is more vital than ever.
Hosted by Dr. John Bruni—a veteran geopolitical commentator with over 24 years in the Australian media—The Focus brings a critical edge to global affairs. John's expertise is built on decades of experience, including time with the Royal United Services Institute of Australia, work as a university lecturer, senatorial foreign affairs adviser, analyst for Jane’s Intelligence Review, and Gulf-based military analyst.
Produced by Neil Smart, The Focus cuts through the noise of biased media to deliver sharp, informed insights into the major issues shaping Australia and the world. In an age of global disruption and complexity, knowing which questions to ask is more vital than ever.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 29, 2025 • 1h 11min
Summits of Uncertainty | Putin, Trump & Europe
Europe stands on shaky ground. With Trump floating “peace plans” for Ukraine, Putin pressing his advantage, and NATO allies second-guessing their future, uncertainty is the only constant. In this episode of The Focus Podcast, Dr. John Bruni speaks with Commander Anders Puck Nielsen of the Royal Danish Navy — one of Europe’s sharpest military analysts. Show Notes: Connect with Anders LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anderspucknielsen/ Bluesky: @anderspucknielsen.dkHis ‘Logic of War’ Newsletter: https://www.logicofwar.com/ To see full content, you’ll have to subscribe YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@anderspuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 22, 2025 • 1h 14min
The Mexican Cartels
Mexico’s cartels aren’t just crime syndicates—they’re power brokers shaping politics, security, and the U.S.–Mexico border. In this episode of The Focus, Dr. John Bruni speaks with Stefano Ritondale to unpack the rise of the Sinaloa Cartel, CJNG, and Gulf Cartel—and what their influence means for North America. #mexicancartels #geopolitics #thefocuspodcast Show Notes Connect with Stefano: X: @All_Source_News Artorias: https://www.artorias.com/leadership Podcasts & Interviews: Stefano featured on Cleared Hot podcast (Episode 373) where he discussed cartel violence, organised crime, and Latin American security as an intelligence expert. He also appeared on The Distinguished Savage Podcast (Episode 319), exploring Mexican cartel dynamics. Print/Online Interviews & Commentary In an interview with Rolling Stone published in February 2025, Ritondale offered expert commentary on how cartel leaders perceive government protection and the implications of being labeled terrorists. Recent Media Mentions Most recently, in a Defense Feeds article (July 2025), he provided insights into how Mexican cartels are training in Ukraine to utilise FPV drones, indicating the rising sophistication of cartel tactics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 14, 2025 • 1h 5min
💥 Can high-tech warfare be ethical — or does it just make war endless?
Yale professor Samuel Moyn joins us to explore how drones, AI, and precision strikes have transformed modern conflict. Based on his book Humane, this conversation asks whether efforts to make war more “humane” have sidelined the goal of peace itself. Show Notes:Connect with SamYale: https://law.yale.edu/samuel-moyn Website: https://campuspress.yale.edu/samuelmoyn/Books by Sam:🆕 Liberalism Against Itself: Cold War Intellectuals and the Making of Our Times (2023) A critique of Cold War-era liberal thinkers who, in Moyn’s view, stripped liberalism of its utopian and transformative aspirations — leading to the more constrained version we see today. 🧠 Humane: How the United States Abandoned Peace and Reinvented War (2021) Explores how efforts to humanize war — through legal and technological means — have helped make war more acceptable and therefore unending. 📉 Not Enough: Human Rights in an Unequal World (2018) Argues that modern human rights discourse has focused on minimum protections rather than addressing global inequality and distributive justice. Articles by Sam:Casus Belli, Harper’s Magazine, August 2025.America is over Neo-Liberalism & Neo-Conservatism - Trump is not, The Guardian, July 2025.The United States and the Human Rights Presidency, June 2025.Previous Episode with Sam:https://sageinternational.com.au/the-focus/humane-war-making-a-better-world/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 8, 2025 • 1h 21min
Stoicism and Resilience in a Broken World
Can ancient Stoicism help us face today’s crazy world? In this episode of The Focus, Dr. John Bruni speaks with philosopher Prof. Massimo Pigliucci on how Stoic principles offer clarity, resilience, and meaning in an age of rage, war, and misinformation. We also explore real Stoicism vs. “Broicism,” and how to apply timeless wisdom to modern crises. 🎧 Watch now on The Focus with John Bruni. SHOW NOTES 🔗Connect with Massimo Substack: https://substack.com/@figsinwintertime?utm_source=top-search City College, New York: https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/profiles/massimo-pigliucci?srsltid=AfmBOorpDgfdOTs_fokK4iIJL2Zbnen_-EoVL-yFbnzvsgs8G9pi2WKU Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massimo_Pigliucci Top Books on Stoicism: The Stoic Guide to a Happy Life (2020) A Handbook for New Stoics (2019) How to Be a Stoic (2017) Top five articles on Stoicism: “Did the Stoics Get Their Theory of Beauty Wrong?” Published: November 11, 2023 Overview: Pigliucci explores whether ancient Stoic theories on beauty hold up today, drawing from his Stoicon 2023 presentation. Modern Stoicism+15Modern Stoicism+15Modern Stoicism+15 “Updating Epictetus and Stoicism for the 21st century” Published: December 19, 2020 Overview: A reflection—and partial update—on Epictetus’ Enchiridion, arguing for modern adaptation in his later book A Field Guide to a Happy Life. goodlisten+5Modern Stoicism+5colabstaging.co.uk+5 “Minimalism Is Not Enough” Published: February 2, 2019 Overview: Pigliucci pushes back against oversimplified Stoicism, emphasizing that logic and physics must remain part of the practice—not only ethics. Modern Stoicism+14Modern Stoicism+14Wikipedia+14 “Do People Commit Evil Out of Ignorance?” Published: November 25, 2017 Overview: Based on his Stoicon 2017 talk, Pigliucci examines Epictetus’ view that wrongdoing often stems from deluded thinking rather than true malevolence. Modern Stoicism+4Modern Stoicism+4Modern Stoicism+4 “Why not Stoicism?” Published: 2013 Overview: A foundational piece outlining the enduring relevance of Stoicism’s three pillars—ethics, logic, physics—for modern life. #stoicism #geopolitics #massimopigliucci #philosophy #thefocuspodcast #geopolitics #resilience #broicism #marcusaurelius #modernstoicism Previous Episodes with Massimo: https://sageinternational.com.au/the-focus/a-stoics-take-on-modern-celebrity-the-rise-of-rogan-peterson-the-role-of-social-media/ https://sageinternational.com.au/the-focus/on-stoicism/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 31, 2025 • 1h 6min
🎙️ India: Not America’s Sidekick | Salvatore Babones on The Focus
Dr. John Bruni speaks with Prof. Salvatore Babones about U.S.–India relations, Modi’s strategic balancing act, the Quad, and how Russian oil, and a possible F-35 purchase, affects Trump’s thinking on India and how this could reshape stability on the Subcontinent & Indo-Pacific security more broadly. #IndiaUS #SalvatoreBabones #Geopolitics #Modi #TheFocusPodcast #IndoPacific #Trump2024 #Quad Show Notes: Contact Salvatore: https://www.salvatorebabones.com/ X: @ProfBabones https://www.sydney.edu.au/research/opportunities/3231.html Salvatore’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SalvatoreBabones Top 5 Books by Salvatore: Dharma Democracy: How India Built the Third World’s First Democracy (2025) – His most recent work, an empirical assessment of India’s democratic evolution The New Authoritarianism: Trump, Populism, and the Tyranny of Experts (2018) – Named among the Best on Politics 2018 by The Wall Street Journal BRICS or Bust? Escaping the Middle‑Income Trap (co‑authored with Hartmut Elsenhans) (2017) – A comparative study of BRICS economic trajectories American Tianxia: Chinese Money, American Power and the End of History (2017) – Challenges the narrative of a looming Chinese century Sixteen for ’16: A Progressive Agenda for a Better America (2015) – A policy manifesto outlining a forward‑looking progressive platform Top 5 Articles by Salvatore: “Global Kondratiev Waves and Political Transformations in Russia since 1800: A Relative Deprivation Approach” (with Philipp Babcicky & Oleg Gubin) – International Politics (2023) “Mobile Netware, Social Graphs, and the Reconfiguration of Space” (with Colin Agur) – New Media & Society(2023) “International Student Revenue and International Rankings Success: A Case Study of Australian University Research Strategies” – Youth and Globalization (2022) “China’s Development Model: Can it Be Replicated in Sub‑Saharan Africa?” – Politics & Policy (2020) “From Tianxia to Tianxia: The Generalization of a Concept” – Chinese Political Science Review (2020) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 25, 2025 • 53min
Europe’s Defence Dilemma
In this episode of The Focus, Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges joins us to unpack Europe’s growing defence dilemma. As U.S. support for NATO faces political headwinds and war rages in Ukraine, can Europe stand on its own? Or is it still relying too heavily on the American security umbrella? We explore NATO’s credibility, European rearmament, and what’s needed to keep the continent safe in an age of rising threats. Show Notes: Contact Ben: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-hodges-1674b1172?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BsE89zn7ZQEaGKjLMT3r2PQ%3D%3D The Alphen Group (TAG): https://thealphengroup.com/ben-hodges/ Top 5 Articles by Ben: 📰 1. Business Insider – “A key NATO ally said it would be 'really big mistake' for Europe to break away from the US weapons industry” Date: June 25, 2025A detailed interview where Hodges cautions Europe against moving away from U.S. defence suppliers. 📰 2. Business Insider – “Most NATO armies likely 'could not meet Ukrainian standards' in combat effectiveness, retired US Army general says” Date: June 18, 2025Hodges argues NATO should learn from Ukrainian battlefield experience rather than the other way around 📰 3. Cipher Brief – “Getting NATO to Be Able to 'Fight Tonight'” (Expert Q&A) Date: July 1, 2025Hodges examines NATO’s readiness following the Hague summit, focusing on rapid mobilisation and military preparedness. 📰 4. Cipher Brief – “Expert Q&A: Can Europe Defend Itself?” Date: March 27, 2025A deep dive into Europe’s defence capacity, allied cohesion, and whether the continent can maintain security without U.S. support. 📰 5. Swissinfo – “Former US general advises Switzerland to prepare for war” Date: March 16, 2025In this interview, Hodges urges Switzerland to ramp up defence — particularly drone defences and large-scale manoeuvres — as a precautionary measure.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 18, 2025 • 1h 27min
Trump World II: Power, Peace, Politics
Dr. Roy Casagranda returns to The Focus to explore the global and domestic impact of a second Trump term—covering democracy, immigration, alliances, Ukraine, Iran, and more. 🎧 Watch now & subscribe for more insight on geopolitics and global affairs. #geopolitics #trump47 #roycasagranda #uspolitics #thefocuspodcast #globalsecurity #foreignpolicy Show Notes: 🔗 *Connect with Roy Casagranda* X: @RoyCasagranda Website: https://gov.casagranda.com/index.html Books by Roy: The Blood Throne of Caria (Empire of the Nightingale Book 3), Sekhmet Liminal Press, LLC, 2018. Articles by Roy: Nationalism and the Left: Liberation not Supremacy, IAI News, March 3, 2023, https://iai.tv/articles/nationalism-and-the-left-roy-casagranda-auid-2408.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 4, 2025 • 1h 5min
Trade Under Siege
In this episode of The Focus, Dr. John Bruni speaks with economist Nicolas Michelon on how protectionism and power politics are reshaping global trade. 🎧 Watch now on YouTube | Also on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. Show Notes: Connect with Nicolas X: @MichelonNicolas Asia Power Watch: https://asiapowerwatch.com/ Alagan Partners: https://alaganpartners.com/our-team/nicolas-michelon/ Nicolas’ Recent Publications: "Navigating Corporate Geopolitics in a World Between Orders” Asia Power Watch, April 14, 2025. "The Renault-Nissan War and the Future of the Automobile Industry: An Interview with Carlos Ghosn” Asia Power Watch, October 9, 2024. "The Price of East-West Economic Warfare: Carlos Ghosn and the Fate of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance” Asia Power Watch, July 8, 2023. "The Death of Multilateralism: Disruptions of the Trump Era” Asia Power Watch, May 21, 2021. "The Carlos Ghosn Case: Business Warfare, Economic Patriotism and the Fate of Foreign CEOs in Japan” Asia Power Watch, March 8, 2020.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 26, 2025 • 55min
Lebanon at a Crossroad
Is General Joseph Aoun the man to rescue Lebanon’s institutions? Can the Lebanese Armed Forces disarm Hezbollah? Can the Lebanese state recover from years of corruption and poor governance? And what role do external powers—Iran, Israel, Syria, and the Gulf states—play in Lebanon’s fate? Dr. John Bruni speaks with Dr. Imad Harb to unpack the country’s fate under new leadership. Show Notes: Connect with Imad: Arab Center Washington D.C. https://arabcenterdc.org/team/imad-k-harb/ X: @harb3imad Imad’s Top Publications: Articles: The Prickly Issue of Disarming Palestinian Factions in Lebanon President Trump’s Gulf Trip: Post-Visit Observations Books: The Arab World Beyond ConflictCo-editor: Imad Harb and Zeina AzzamPublished by the Arab Center Washington DC, 2019 newarab.com+11arabcenterdc.org+11chs-doha.org+11 Trump and the Arab World: A First Year AssessmentEditor: Imad HarbPublished by the Arab Center Washington DC, 2017 arabcenterdc.org+5me-policy.org+5arabcenterdc.org+5 Domestic and Regional Challenges to US–Iran RelationsCo-authors: Imad Harb and John BruniEmirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research, April 2015 books.google.com+11arabcenterdc.org+11chs-doha.org+11 Higher Education and the Future of IraqAuthor: Imad K. HarbUnited States Institute of Peace Special Report No. 195, 2008 globalresilienceconsortium.org+10 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 20, 2025 • 55min
Israel’s ’Total War’
Israel vs. Iran: What Drives Tehran’s Strategy? Dr. Ori Goldberg joins The Focus to decode ideology, deterrence, and the risks of a wider Middle East war. Show Notes: X: @ori_goldberg Bluesky: @origoldberg.bsky.social Ori’s Top Publications: Selected Articles (2024) “Why Israelis Do and Don’t Want War with Hezbollah” – New Lines Magazine, September 2024 “Israel’s Attack on Hezbollah’s Communications Network Is Not the Victory It Claims” – New Lines Magazine, September 2024 Faith and Politics in Iran, Israel, and the Islamic State: Theologies of the Real (2017) Published by Cambridge University Press, this book examines how religious worldviews shape political action across diverse ideological contexts. Understanding Shiite Leadership: The Art of the Middle Ground in Iran and Lebanon (2014, co-authored with Shaul Mishal) This work explores how Shi‘ite leaders balance ideological commitments with pragmatic governance in both Iran and Lebanon. Shi‘i Theology in Iran: The Challenge of Religious Experience (2011) Published by Routledge, this book investigates the role of religious experience in shaping revolutionary Shi‘i political theology.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.