ASPI Podcast: Policy, Guns & Money

As we approach a year since Russia’s February invasion of Ukraine, Justin Bassi speaks to historian and writer Olesya Khromeychuk. They discuss the resilience of the Ukrainian people, Olesya’s personal experience with conflict and what’s at stake for the international community in Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. ASPI Southeast Asia experts Dr Teesta Prakash and Dr Gatra Priyandita discuss the outcomes of the ASEAN Foreign Minister’s Retreat in Jakarta. They discuss priorities for Indonesia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN, including movement on Timor-Leste’s accession, as well as Indonesia’s potential approach to Myanmar during its time as Chair. Guests (in order of appearance): Justin Bassi: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/justin-bassi Olesya Khromeychuk: https://ukrainianinstitute.org.uk/team/ Dr Teesta Prakash: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/teesta-prakash Dr Gatra Priyandita: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/gatra-priyandita Music: 'Peaceful' by Crowander, licensed with permission from the Independent Music Licensing Collective - imlcollective.uk

This week, ASPI was delighted to host General David Berger, Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps. Brendan Nicholson speaks to General Berger about the US-Australia alliance, military strategy and the importance of interoperability and how the ADF and the Marine Corps can work more closely together. Guests (in order of appearance): Brendan Nicholson: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/brendan-nicholson General David Berger: https://www.marines.mil/CM/Biographies/Bio-Display/Article/2478607/gen-david-h-berger/ Music: '4 Young & Free' by Jonas Hipper, licensed with permission from the Independent Music Licensing Collective - imlcollective.uk

In this special series, ASPI’s Dr David Engel and Dr Gatra Priyandita have spoken to a number of special guests about the Australia-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and the five pillars supporting it. In this final episode of the series, David and Gatra speak to the Hon Tim Watts MP, Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Dr Dino Patti Djalal, Founder of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia about changes in bilateral relations over the years, including developments in the defence relationship, and how the two countries can work together despite their different perspectives on strategic issues. Guests: Dr David Engel: www.aspi.org.au/bio/david-engel Dr Gatra Priyandita: www.aspi.org.au/bio/gatra-priyandita Dr Dino Patti Djalal: https://www.fpcindonesia.org/about-us/ The Hon Tim Watts MP: https://www.aph.gov.au/T_Watts_MP Music: Psychic by Ketsa, licensed with permission from the Independent Music Licensing Collective - imlcollective.uk

In the first episode of ASPI DC's podcast series 'Washington Talks,' Director Mark Watson sits down with Australia's Ambassador to the United States, The Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO, to reflect on his time as Australia's 22nd Ambassador to the United States and to discuss some of the most pressing strategic priorities for the Australia-US alliance. They explore how the Ambassador's childhood in Newcastle, Australia influenced his political perspective, his extensive experience in both the public and private sectors, and the new horizons for defence and diplomatic relations between Australia and the United States. Guests: Mark Watson: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/mark-r-watson The Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO: https://usa.embassy.gov.au/our-people/ambassador Music composition by Amelia Watson

Today we examine aspects of nuclear security. ASPI’s Dr Alex Bristow is joined by the Nuclear Threat Initiative’s Nuclear Materials Security Vice President Scott Roecker and Program Officer Jessica Bufford, alongside Australia’s Ambassador for Arms Control and Counter-Proliferation Mr Ian Biggs, for a discussion on the status of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, gender inclusivity, nuclear disarmament and Australia’s role in the global security context for nuclear arms control. Guests (in order of appearance): Dr Alex Bristow: www.aspi.org.au/bio/dr-alex-bristow Scott Roecker: www.nti.org/about/people/scott-roecker Jessica Bufford: www.nti.org/about/people/jessica-bufford Ian Biggs: www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/our-people/homs/ambassador-for-arms-control-and-counter-proliferation Music: "Long Walk" by Ketsa, licensed with permission from the Independent Music Licensing Collective - imlcollective.uk

In the fourth episode of ASPI’s special series ‘What’s In A Name? The Australia-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’, Dr David Engel and Dr Gatra Priyandita are joined by Senior Research Fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Centre on Asia and Globalisation, and leading Indonesian foreign and defence policy expert Bob Lowry, for a discussion on the defence and security dimensions of the Partnership. They explore the shared challenges of regional rivalry and terrorism the two countries have faced, how Australia’s relationship with the U.S. impacts its regional standing, and Indonesia’s stance on non-alignment. Guests: Dr David Engel: www.aspi.org.au/bio/david-engel Dr Gatra Priyandita: www.aspi.org.au/bio/gatra-priyandita Dr Evan Laksmana: www.evanlaksmana.com/ Bob Lowry: www.linkedin.com/in/bob-lowry-ba129716/?originalSubdomain=au Music: Psychic by Ketsa, licensed with permission from the Independent Music Licensing Collective - imlcollective.uk

In the third episode of ASPI’s special series ‘What’s In A Name? The Australia-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’, Dr David Engel and Dr Gatra Priyandita are joined by the Center for Strategic and International Studies Lina Alexandra and John McCarthy AO for a discussion on the diplomatic aspects of the Partnership. They examine the trust in the Australia-Indonesia bilateral relationship, The Lombok Treaty and cooperation in multilateral forums such as the G20, the East Asia Summit and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Guests: Dr David Engel: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/david-engel Dr Gatra Priyandita: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/gatra-priyandita Lina Alexandra: https://id.linkedin.com/in/lina-alexandra-b72712119 John MaCarthy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCarthy_(Australian_diplomat) Music: Psychic by Ketsa, licensed with permission from the Independent Music Licensing Collective - imlcollective.uk

Fergus Hunter speaks with Bonnie Glaser Managing Director of GMF Indo-Pacific at the German Marshall Fund, about the state of China and its relationships with the United States and the West. They look at the ambitions of the Chinese Communist Party, how nation states are responding to this, and the current state of Cross-Strait relations. Access to violent right-wing extremist online subcultures is easier than ever. Katja Theodorakis speaks to Miro Dittrich about the need to take digital public spheres more seriously, not only as spaces for radicalisation and the spread of disinformation, but also as places where these phenomena can be actively countered. Miro explains what authorities, society and social media platforms can do to prevent and push back against extremist attempts to dominate digital realities. Dr Alex Bristow is joined by Dr Anna Borshchevskaya, senior fellow in The Washington Institute's Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Program on Great Power Competition and the Middle East, for a discussion on Russia’s policy toward the Middle East. They explore the significance of Russia’s relationships in the region, the impacts of Russia’s war on Ukraine, and how the Russia-China relationship is developing. Guests (in order of appearance): Fergus Hunter: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/fergus-hunter Bonnie S. Glaser: https://www.gmfus.org/find-experts/bonnie-s-glaser Katja Theodorakis: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/katja-theodorakis Miro Dittrich: https://cemas.io/en/team/miro-dittrich/ Dr Alex Bristow: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/dr-alex-bristow Dr Anna Borshchevskaya: https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/experts/anna-borshchevskaya Background music: Rodeo Drive by Eazy, licensed with permission from the Independent Music Licensing Collective - imlcollective.uk

This week, it’s all about space! Recently, ASPI hosted international military, industry and academic experts for a series of events focused on space and national security. In this podcast, we are delighted to be joined by special guests Jeffrey Becker, Janice Starzyk, Dr Namrata Goswami and Dr Kevin Pollpeter for conversations on this critical domain. Dr Malcolm Davis speaks to Dr Namrata Goswami and Dr Kevin Pollpeter about China’s space capabilities and ambitions in space. They discuss China’s space industry, China’s lunar program and the potential for China to accelerate its lunar plans. Bec Shrimpton speaks to Virgin Orbit’s Janice Starzyk and Bret Perry about the history of Virgin Orbit and the company’s ambitions. They discuss opportunities for government and industry collaboration on space, including in the area of national security and defence, and how Virgin Orbit is supporting spacefaring nations. Bec is also joined by futurist Jeffrey Becker for a conversation on space futures and why futures thinking is an important tool for policymakers. They discuss the role of technology in warfare and the military implications of different technological developments, and the importance of the space domain in military strategy. Guests (in order of appearance): Dr Malcolm Davis: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/malcolm-davis Dr Namrata Goswami: https://twitter.com/namygoswami Dr Kevin Pollpeter: https://www.cna.org/experts/Pollpeter_K Bec Shrimpton: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/bec-shrimpton Janice Starzyk: https://twitter.com/janicestarzyk Bret Perry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bret-perry-11bb01b0/ Jeffrey Becker: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/jeffrey-becker Music: "Eclipse 6" by Michikawa - via the Tribe of Noise: https://prosearch.tribeofnoise.com/artists/show/24793/10247

Daria Impiombato speaks with ASPI Senior Fellow Vicky Xu about the anti-government protests sweeping through some of China’s largest cities. Vicky, who has spoken with protesters on the ground, gives up-to-the-minute insights into the protesters’ motivation and tactics, and discusses what the demonstrations mean for the Chinese Communist Party’s rule. Guests (in order of appearance): Daria Impiombato: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/daria-impiombato Vicky Xu: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/vicky-xiuzhong-xu Background music: Phychic by Ketsa, licensed with permission from the Independent Music Licensing Collective - imlcollective.uk