The Focus

In this episode of The Focus Raw, we are pleased to have British-based YouTuber, Philospher and keen observer of Russian politics - Vlad Vexler with us. Vlad gives his views on the Prigozhin Mutiny and his analysis of the main characters in what appears to be high-order political drama in Moscow since the events of 23rd June. This is one episode you don't want to miss! Vlad's YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@VladVexlerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode John speaks with Edith Cowan University lecturer in international business, Dr. Naoise McDonagh on the phenomenon of ‘friend-shoring’. We delve deep into what this means for the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Party and the world at large. The answers are…complicated, and not what you may expect.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we’re joined by US-based international debunker, Mick West where we discuss the recent claims made by former US intelligence officer, David Grusch, on the US government hiding a UFO/UAP crash retrieval program. We’ve dealt in some seriously interesting topics, but this one takes the cake! Show Notes: For more about the centrality of Skin Walker Ranch to the current UFO/UAP narrative see Steven Greenstreet’s take-down of the place on his YouTube series on the following links: Part 1 - https://youtu.be/VwfaAz9kxcc Part 2 - https://youtu.be/sCQRMGOc9M8 Part 3 - https://youtu.be/8Bp0weO-hiI  Part 4 - https://youtu.be/Q9Kwv_p2Cww Final - https://youtu.be/3Tsg0X4onCo See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re joined from the U.S. by Jeremy Barr. Jeremy is the Washington Post’s news media reporter and he’ll be giving us a run-down on the chaos that has recently struck U.S. media giant Fox News, part of the stables of international media empire builder, Adelaide’s own, Rupert Murdoch.Support the show: https://www.sageinternational.org.au/strategikon-merch/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been twenty years since the March 2003 Iraq War. The country is still unstable. The U.S. has by and large forgotten about the war and probably will only will re-engage with Iraq if radical group ISIS makes a major comeback. Iraqis are now left to themselves to pick up the pieces from years of international isolation, foreign military intervention and civil war. Was the 2003 Iraq War worth the effort? Did a neutered Saddam really pose a danger to the international order in the Middle East? Join John as he speaks with Yale scholar, Emma Sky to discuss this issue.Support the show: https://www.sageinternational.org.au/strategikon-merch/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Focus, host John Bruni speaks with British technology and investigative journalist Peter Warren about the impact of chatbots and artificial intelligence on society. They delve into the potential benefits and pitfalls of this rapidly-evolving technology, including its impact on employment, biases and privacy concerns, and the need for ethical and responsible development. Peter Warren provides insights into the hyperbole surrounding chatbots and whether general AI is a reality or still a far-off dream. Join them for a thought-provoking and informative discussion on the complex and ever-changing landscape of AI and its impact on our world. Show Notes: Future Intelligence Link can be found here: https://www.futureintelligence.co.uk/ A good explanation of the Kardashev Scale can be found here: https://futurism.com/the-kardashev-scale-type-i-ii-iii-iv-v-civilizationSupport the show: https://www.sageinternational.org.au/strategikon-merch/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Season 3, Episode 3, John is joined by professional sceptic & science writer Mick West to talk about the recent Chinese spy balloon shoot-down by the US Air Force…and the shoot down of those 'other things'. Were they also balloons? Were they Chinese? Or were they from ‘out of this world’? Join John and Mick as they go through what the evidence has to say about spy balloons, UAPs generally and the reliability of onboard cockpit data and pilot identification. Not all is as straight forward as it seems. For more info on Mick West, please refer to the following links:  Sutter Buttes UFO Solved & Balloon Identified youtube.com Response to David Fravor "debunking" me on Lex Fridman youtube.com Gimbal UFO - A New Analysis youtube.com    Support the show: https://www.sageinternational.org.au/strategikon-merch/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we follow up an old story that we reported back when we were a radio show on Radio Adelaide. It’s arguably one of the world’s most difficult issues to grapple with and it comes down to what we in the West value most, money or morality. In the neoliberal age we live in, often also called a post-ideological age, money and profit are the glues that keep societies together. So long as we all value profit, we can all get along. But can we? If we sell out to the great 'monetary god’, are we not in danger of selling out our soul in a sort of Faustian pact? The West has this problem over what to do with totalitarian China. Elites in the West and the People’s Republic like making money and so long as trade and commerce generates wealth for both, everyone’s happy. But when this wealth is generated on the backs of repressed and persecuted minorities, do we care? This problem dogs the the world’s Muslim countries too. In China, Muslim Uyghurs are being persecuted and repressed. In many Muslim countries, Chinese money and good relations with a secular, ‘godless' communist regime in China IS rated as more important than the fate of Uyghur co-religionists.  Join us as John talks with U.S. based Uyghur activist Rushan Abbas on this important issue.If you want to know about Rushan Abbas’ Documentary 'In Search of My Sister’, you can rent or buy it for a modest fee on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/insearchofmysister If you want to know more about the work of Rushan’s organisation: Campaign for Uyghurs, please follow this link: https://campaignforuyghurs.org/ Support the show: https://www.sageinternational.org.au/strategikon-merch/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this our first episode of The Focus for 2023, we look at some fascinating developments in drone technology taking place here in South Australia, at Flinders University. Since the Russia-Ukraine War, drones have been receiving a lot of attention as the 21st Century’s primary weapons/surveillance platforms. But just imagine if we can improve in their capabilities by borrowing from the biology of insects, giving drones ‘instinctive’ sensors, thereby allowing them to move seamlessly in the natural environment. Here we speak to Dr Russell Brinkworth, Associate Professor in Autonomous Systems at the College of Science & Engineering who is working on making that happen. Support the show: https://www.sageinternational.org.au/strategikon-merch/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back in April of this year, we were lucky to have spoken with the University of Portsmouth’s Dr. Frank Ledwidge on the operational aspects of the Russia-Ukraine War. Now, 9 months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we speak with Frank again to see how changes on the battlefield have changed the scale and nature of the Russian ’Special Military Operation’. Are we close to determining a winner? Can the Ukrainians defeat the Russians? Will there be a peace settlement before things spiral out of control?Support the show: https://www.sageinternational.org.au/strategikon-merch/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.