The Focus

In this episode of The Focus, host John Bruni sits down with Professor John Blaxland to unravel the complexities of the AUKUS security pact and its implications for global power dynamics. As the world shifts into an era of unrestricted competition between China & the U.S., what does AUKUS really mean for the future of international security? Are Australia, the U.S., and the UK prepared for the challenges ahead? Tune in as we go beyond the headlines to uncover the real stakes of this landmark agreement. Don’t miss this essential conversation on the shifting tides of global strategy! Show Notes: X :  @JohnBlaxland1 Books: Revealing Secrets By Clare Birgin, John Blaxland 1 May 2023 The US-Thai Alliance and Asian International Relations By Gregory Raymond, John Blaxland 2 June 2021 In from the Cold By John Blaxland, Michael Kelly, Liam Brewin Higgins 19 March 2020 The Secret Cold War By John Blaxland, Rhys Crawley 26 April 2017 The Protest Years By John Blaxland 1 October 2016 The Australian Army from Whitlam to Howard By John Blaxland 16 October 2013See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our latest episode of The Focus, we sit down with Dr. Ori Goldberg, a leading expert on Iran’s political and religious landscape, to dive deep into the complexities of Israel-Iran relations.  Show NotesX: @ori_goldberg Articles by Ori"What Israelis Don’t Want to Hear About Iran and Hezbollah" (Published in +972 Magazine on September 20, 2024) https://www.972mag.com/iran-israel-hezbollah-ori-goldberg/ "Israel’s Attack on Hezbollah’s Communications Network Is Not the Victory It Claims" (Published in New Lines Magazine on September 20, 2024) https://newlinesmag.com/spotlight/israels-attack-on-hezbollahs-communications-network-is-not-the-victory-it-claims/ "For Israeli Protesters, Palestine Might as Well Not Exist" (Published in The Nation on September 9, 2024) https://www.thenation.com/article/world/israel-protests-hostage-deal-palestine/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our latest episode of The Focus, renowned demographer Dr. Paul Morland unpacks one of the most controversial and alarming issues of our time: global depopulation. What happens when the world's population shrinks? How does this shift impact economies, geopolitics, and future generations? Are we truly facing a "population crisis," or is there more to the story? Tune in as we dive into shocking data and explore the hidden truths behind declining birth rates, aging societies, and the consequences no one is talking about. This is an episode you can’t afford to miss! Show Notes Paul’s website can be seen here: https://www.paulmorland.co.uk/ You can contact Paul on X at - @MorlandDemog If you are interested in reading his works, including his latest, published this year, No One Left, please check out a list of his recent books below: No One Left: Why the World Needs More Children, 2024 Tomorrow's People: The Future of Humanity in Ten Numbers, 2022 The Human Tide: How Population Shaped the Modern World, 2019 Demographic Engineering: Population Strategies in Ethnic Conflict, 2018  Recent OpEds by Paul can be found here: https://www.paulmorland.co.uk/articles-paul-morland And check out this from The New Statesman –  Is there a progressive argument for pro-natalism? The New Statesman, 10/07/2024  https://www.newstatesman.com/encounter/2024/07/paul-morland-interview-is-there-progressive-argument-for-pro-natalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this gripping episode of The Focus, we delve into the aftermath of the Wagner Group’s fall from grace and the emergence of a new era in Russian paramilitary operations. Join us as Dr. Ladd Serwat unpacks the intricate power shifts, the rise of the 'Africa Corps', and the lasting impact of Prigozhin's legacy on Russia's global strategy. Show Notes: You can contact Dr. Ladd Serwat directly on his X account – here: @LaddSerwat Or the ACLED X account – here: @ACLEDINFO If you would like to track down the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) site directly and look deeper into their work – click on the following link to its website - https://acleddata.com/ Glossary of terms used in this episode –  PMC – Private Military Company otherwise known by the old term, ‘mercenaries.’ Kidal (Tuareg Berber: ⴾⴸⵍ, KDL, Kidal) is a town and commune in the desert region of northern Mali. The town lies 285 km (177 mi) northeast of Gao and is the capital of the Kidal Cercle and the Kidal Region. The commune has an area of about 9,910 km2 (3,830 sq mi) and includes the town of Kidal and 31 other settlements. (Wikipedia). RSF – Rapid Support Forces, are a paramilitary force that sprang out of the Janjaweed militias in Sudan and are now fighting the government of Sudan for control of the country.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us on "The Focus" as we dive deep into the Ukrainian Kursk Incursion with Commander of the Royal Danish Navy and YouTuber, Anders Puck Nielsen. This episode provides expert analysis on Russian military tactics and the strategic implications for the region. Captain Nielsen brings his extensive knowledge to discuss the size and scope of Russian forces, those of Ukraine as well as the unsettling potential of unconventional warfare. Tune in to gain a critical understanding of these pivotal military developments directly affecting European security.\ Show Notes -  Ander’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@anderspuck His ‘Logic of War’ Newsletter. To see content, you’ll have to subscribe - https://anderspucknielsen.dk/en/frontpage/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us on The Focus as we delve into the world of deception and skullduggery surrounding the failed Franco-Australian Submarine Deal. Investigative journalist and author Andrew J. Fowler exposes the hidden truths and political manoeuvres that jeopardised Australia's sovereignty and led us to AUKUS. Don't miss this eye-opening episode! Show Notes: Connect with Andrew on X - @AndrewJFowler Buy Andrew’s book Nuked on the following link: https://www.mup.com.au/books/nuked-paperback-softback Inside Story piece on Nuked: https://insidestory.org.au/fear-and-loathing-in-the-american-alliance/ The Newtown Review of Books: https://newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/andrew-fowler-nuked-the-submarine-fiasco-that-sank-australias-sovereignty-reviewed-by-braham-dabscheck/ Queensland Reviewer’s Collective: https://www.queenslandreviewerscollective.com/2024/07/02/nuked-by-andrew-fowler/ Previous interviews with Andrew J. Fowler: Julian Assange: Path to Freedom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPV8xuWpSAk&t=1s Mike Pezzulo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_PezzulloSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are We Ready for AI to Surpass Human Intelligence by 2045?   Join The Focus Podcast with technologist Evanna Hu as we delve into how AI developments, and AI regulation will impact on our future! Show Notes: Omelas Website – https://www.omelas.io/#1 Evanna’s bio: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/expert/evanna-hu/ Scowcroft Centre for Strategy & Security https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/programs/scowcroft-center-for-strategy-and-security/ Evanna’s article cited in this podcast: https://afsa.org/sites/default/files/flipping_book/0624/34/ pages 35-37 Previous Episodes of The Focus dealing with AI: Steven Feldstein – The Dark Side of AI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpyBcwVmExI&t=85s Prof. Toby Walsh – Artificial Intelligence: Drone World rather than West World? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27gAoq38-Rg&t=201s Prof. Sam Moyne – Humane War: Making a Better World? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFx0gBV_tm0&t=232s\ Peter Warren – The Future of Chatbots: A Closer Look https://sageinternational.com.au/the-focus/the-future-of-chatbots-a-closer-look-with-peter-warren/ Dr. Russell Brinkworth – Drones from the Biology of Insects https://sageinternational.com.au/the-focus/drones-from-the-biology-of-insects/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us on The Focus as Dr. Alice Yang dives deep into the volatile dynamics of Taiwan's political landscape, its tense relationship with China, and what the future holds for this strategic island nation. Don't miss this eye-opening discussion that uncovers the real stakes and hidden narratives behind one of Asia's most critical geopolitical issues!   Show Notes: Dr. Alice Yang Bio: https://indsr.org.tw/en/member?resid=8&uid=2&pid=90 Institute for National Defence and Security Research (INDSR): https://indsr.org.tw/en/index Notable Publications: Annual Assessment Reports at INDSR: These reports cover various aspects of Taiwan's defence strategy, including military technology trends and China's military developments​ (INDSR)​. Weaponized Interdependence: China’s Economic Statecraft and Social Penetration against Taiwan: This paper discusses how China uses economic means to influence and penetrate Taiwanese society, published in the journal Orbis​ (TAEF)​. Building a Disaster Resilient Community in Taiwan: Co-authored with Judy H.S. Wu, this research analyses the social capital in disaster preparedness in Taiwan, published in Politics and Governance​(TAEF)​. Enabling Human Values in Foreign Policy: This paper explores the transformation of Taiwan's New Southbound Policy, emphasizing the human values driving Taiwan's foreign policy, published in the Journal of Human Values​ (TAEF)​.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us on The Focus as we delve into a gripping conversation with Dr. Andrew A. Michta, senior fellow and director of the Scowcroft Strategy Initiative at the Atlantic Council. In this episode, we explore the pivotal moments in history that have shaped our world and discuss the urgent strategic decisions facing the U.S. and its allies today. Andrew’s Politico Article: The West’s biggest vulnerability is internal Andrew’s Bio and Related Sites: Dr. Andrew A. Michta Bio Scowcroft Strategy Initiative The Atlantic Council Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security X: @andrewmichta  @AtlanticCouncil @ACScowcroft Extra: My Florentine ancestor who wrote De Militia was Leonardo Bruni also known as Leonardo Aretino. He was a major Renaissance Humanist and Historian and Chancellor of Florence 1410-11 & 1427-44. SACEUR - acronym for Supreme Allied Commander Europe SHAPE - acronym for Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (U.S.) EUCOM - acronym for United States European Command Top 5 U.S. Defence Contractors as at 2024 in order of revenue: Lockheed Martin RTX Corporation Northrop Grumman Boeing General Dynamics See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Get ready for an explosive episode with investigative journalist Andrew J. Fowler as we uncover Julian Assange's path to freedom and his future moves. Show Notes Books by Andrew J. Fowler -  Nuked: The Submarine Fiasco that Sank Australia’s Sovereignty, 2024 (New Edition) The Most Dangerous Man in the World: Julian Assange and WikiLeaks Fight for Freedom, 2020 Secret Australia – contributor, 2020 Shooting the Messenger: Criminalising Journalism, 2018 The War on Journalism: Media Moguls, Whistleblowers and the Price of Freedom, 2015 The Most Dangerous Man in the World: Julian Assange and the inside story on WikiLeaks, 2011 Twitter: @AndrewJFowler Wikimedia Commons: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Fowler_(journalist)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.