ASPI Podcast: Policy, Guns & Money

Today is an important day for Ukraine, as the country marks the 31st anniversary of independence from Soviet rule. It is also six months since Russia illegally invaded Ukraine, with no end in sight. In this special episode, ASPI’s Executive Director Justin Bassi asks Ukraine’s Ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko about the current situation in the conflict, shifts in momentum, international support for Ukraine and the country’s successes in the cyber domain. They also discuss Russia’s ambitions - and its progress in achieving its goals - and Ukraine’s economic situation. Guests (in order of appearance): Justin Bassi: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/justin-bassi Ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko: https://australia.mfa.gov.ua/en/governance/vasyl-myroshnychenko Music: "Daylight Rising" by Brylie Christopher Oxley - via the FreeMusicArchive.org

Katja Theodorakis speaks to Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior fellow at FDD, about Iran’s military power and how the country is investing in asymmetric capabilities. They also discuss the challenges posed by anti-status quo powers and Iran’s deterrence strategy. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Albanese and Deputy Prime Minister Marles announced that there would be a Defence Strategic Review focused on ‘force structure, force posture and preparedness, and investment prioritization to ensure Defence has the right capabilities to meet our growing strategic needs.’ Dr Marcus Hellyer speaks to Michael Shoebridge about some of the challenges for the review, including its short timeline for delivery. Baani Grewal speaks to Dr Teesta Prakash about the relationship dynamics between India and Southeast Asia and their growing strategic convergence as they tackle shared challenges. Mentioned in this episode: ASPI report ‘Marles’s Defence Strategic Review—an exploding suitcase of challenges to resolve by March 2023’: https://www.aspi.org.au/report/marles-defence-strategic-review Guests (in order of appearance): Katja Theodorakis: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/katja-theodorakis Behnam Ben Taleblu: https://www.fdd.org/team/behnam-ben-taleblu/ Dr Marcus Hellyer: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/marcus-hellyer Michael Shoebridge: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/michael-shoebridge Baani Grewal: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/baani-grewal Dr Teesta Prakash: https://www.lowyinstitute.org/people/experts/bio/teesta-prakash Music: c/ FreeMusicArchive: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/viscid/disconnected/climb/ Image: c/ Wikimedia: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:IRIA_soldiers_marching_in_formation_%281%29.jpg

This week marks a significant milestone for the Policy, Guns & Money team - our 150th episode! We'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback via podcast@aspi.org.au, thanks! As Australia’s space sector grows and continues to build significant sovereign capabilities, optimising the links between commercial and national security space is critical. Bec Shrimpton speaks to Adam Gilmour, CEO and Founder of Gilmour Space Technologies, about the need for greater collaboration between the private sector and government to support Australia’s space industry. It's been more than two years since the deadly clashes on the India-China border in 2020, and despite many rounds of consultations between the two countries, the situation at the border shows no signs of improving. Baani Grewal speaks to Dr Tanvi Madan, senior fellow in the Project on International Order and Strategy in the Foreign Policy program and director of The India Project at the Brookings Institution, about the trajectory of the India-China relationship in light of the border issues, as well as the differences between India’s participation in the Quad, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Southeast Asia continues to see a rapid digital transformation, fuelling the region’s economic growth. Dr Gatra Priyandita talks to Elina Noor, Director of Political-Security Affairs and Deputy Director of the Washington DC office at the Asia Society Policy Institute, about how governments in Southeast Asia are responding to the region’s digital transformation. Guests (in order of appearance): Bec Shrimpton: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/bec-shrimpton Adam Gilmour: https://www.gspacetech.com/team Baani Grewal: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/baani-grewal Dr Tanvi Madan: https://www.brookings.edu/experts/tanvi-madan/ Dr Gatra Priyandita: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/gatra-priyandita Elina Noor: https://asiasociety.org/policy-institute/elina-noor Image: Gilmour Space Large Hybrid engine test. Music: "Cathode" by ScanGlobe - via the FreeMusicArchive.org Feedback: podcast@aspi.org.au

On 13 July, Australia’s Deputy prime minister and defence minister Richard Marles formally opened the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s Washington DC office. In what is Australia’s first defence and national security think tank to open an overseas office, we were thrilled to have Minister Marles join ASPI’s Executive Director Justin Bassi and the inaugural Washington DC director Mark Watson for the official launch. In this special episode, Justin and Mark share their views on the launch and the critical role that ASPI DC will play in informing security, defence and foreign policy debates in Washington. Mentioned in this episode: ASPI Washington DC: https://www.aspi.org.au/washingtondc Guests (in order of appearance): Justin Bassi: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/justin-bassi Mark Watson: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/mark-r-watson Music: "Ten Petal Rose" by Ketsa - via the FreeMusicArchive.org

In this episode, ASPI’s Bec Shrimpton speaks to Admiral Mike Rogers, former Director of the U.S. National Security Agency and Commander of U.S. Cyber Command, and current member of CyberCX’s Global Advisory Board. They consider how the U.S. and its allies have progressed in addressing cyber challenges, and the need for increased industry and government collaboration to solve the problems that technology presents. They also discuss the lessons being learned from Russia’s war on Ukraine, China’s approach to cyber and technology development, and the future of the internet. Guests (in order of appearance): Bec Shrimpton: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/bec-shrimpton Admiral Mike Rogers (ret.) Music: "You Vintage" by Ketsa, via the FreeMusicArchive.org

Recently, we saw the third and final launch of a NASA rocket from Australia’s Arnhem Space Centre in the Northern Territory – the first successful sub-orbital rocket launch from an Australian commercial centre, and the first commercial launch ever by NASA outside of the United States. ASPI’s resident space-wonks Bec Shrimpton and Dr Malcolm Davis discuss the significance of these launches, what it means for the Australian space industry, and how the Australian government can support this industry’s development into an international and national asset. Recently, the Lowy Institute released its annual poll, which captures Australian views of the world and current global issues, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China and climate. Fergus Ryan speaks to the author of the 2022 Poll, Natasha Kassam about the notable shifts in this year’s poll and what surprised her in the polling results. China’s recent security agreement with Solomon Islands gives Beijing the ability to send police and military forces to the Pacific nation. Dr John Coyne speaks to Senator Vern White about the risks associated with China playing a bigger role in the region’s policing, and the important role Australia and its partners play in policing in the Pacific. Mentioned in this episode: https://poll.lowyinstitute.org/report/2022 Guests (in order of appearance): Bec Shrimpton: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/bec-shrimpton Dr Malcolm Davis: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/malcolm-davis Fergus Ryan: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/fergus-ryan Natasha Kassam: https://www.lowyinstitute.org/people/experts/bio/natasha-kassam Dr John Coyne: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/john-coyne Senator Vern White: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/vern-white Image: c/ Google Maps Music: 'Mismatch' by Ketsa - via the FreeMusicArchive.org

Last week, it was the 25th anniversary of the British handover of Hong Kong, and China’s President Xi Jinping travelled to Hong Kong to mark the occasion. Dr Alex Bristow speaks to Primrose Riordan about the significance of the anniversary, the changes she has seen in Hong Kong over her time reporting from the city and the continuing impacts of the crackdown on dissent and the Hong Kong National Security Law. In a letter to the CEOs of Apple and Google, the Commissioner for the United States Federal Communications Commission has called for TikTok to be removed from app stores, citing security concerns. Baani Grewal speaks to Fergus Ryan to discuss TikTok’s owner ByteDance, its ties to the Chinese government and the accessibility of users’ data by Chinese staff. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, Nathan Ruser has been mapping the movements on the ground, including changes in territorial control. Late last month, we asked Nathan about how he approaches mapping these movements, including challenges with verification, and how the map has evolved as the conflict has continued. Mentioned in this episode: ASPI’s Ukraine Map Briefing: https://twitter.com/Nrg8000/status/1540710424769069056 Guests (in order of appearance): Dr Alex Bristow: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/dr-alex-bristow Primrose Riordan: https://www.ft.com/primrose-riordan Baani Grewal: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/baani-grewal Fergus Ryan: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/fergus-ryan Olivia Nelson: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/olivia-nelson Nathan Ruser: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/nathan-ruser Music: "Warzone" by Anno Domini Beats

This week on Policy, Guns and Money, we are delighted to be joined by Toomas Hendrik Ilves, former President of Estonia, for a conversation on Russia’s conflict in Ukraine. ASPI’s Executive Director Justin Bassi asks Toomas about Western and NATO unity in support of Ukraine and the implications of the war for democracies and global security, including in the Indo-Pacific. They also discuss cyber challenges, lessons to be learned from the war and the long-term trajectory of the conflict. Guest bio: Toomas Hendrik Ilves served as the fourth President of Estonia from 2006 until 2016. Ilves worked as a diplomat and journalist, and he was the leader of the Social Democratic Party in the 1990s. He served in the government as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1996 to 1998 and again from 1999 to 2002. Later, he was a Member of the European Parliament from 2004 to 2006. Guests (in order of appearance): Justin Bassi: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/justin-bassi Toomas Hendrik Ilves: https://www.presidentilves.ee/bio Background music: "Deliverance" by Maarten Schellekens - via freemusicarchive.org

This week on Policy, Guns and Money, Brendan Nicholson speaks to Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Cambodia’s Minister delegate attached to the PM for Foreign Affairs and ASEAN. They discuss ASEAN’s stance on the conflict in Ukraine, Australia’s relationship with Cambodia, ASEAN’s stance on Myanmar and the expansion of the Ream naval base. This week, Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles was in India to meet his counterpart. Karly Winkler and Baani Grewal reflect on how the India-Australia relationship has evolved and highlight the importance of focusing the relationship in on defence and security. Energy security is front and centre in Australia, with issues around supply and costs. Dr Robert Glasser speaks to Ulas Yildirim about the Australian Defence Force’s energy supplies and the need to grow the alternative fuels sector in Australia to futureproof the ADF. Mentioned in this episode: ‘The Australian Defence Force and its future energy requirements’: https://www.aspi.org.au/report/australian-defence-force-and-its-future-energy-requirements Guests (in order of appearance): Brendan Nicholson: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/brendan-nicholson Dr Kao Kim Hourn: https://mobile.twitter.com/hourn_kao Karly Winkler: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/karly-winkler Baani Grewal: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/baani-grewal Dr Robert Glasser: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/robert-glasser Wing Commander (Dr) Ulas Yildirim: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/ulas-yildirim Credits: Image: Australian Department of Defence Music: "Jazzy Lounge" by Maarten Schellekens via the FreeMusicArchive.org

To kick off the episode, Dr Alex Bristow speaks to ASPI newcomer Bec Shrimpton, who will head up this year’s Sydney Dialogue. They discuss the strategic threats Australia faces, including the challenges posed by emerging tech, and the Australia-China relationship. With so much of our data online, and a growing reliance on technology in our daily lives, we are left vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Karly Winkler speaks to Google’s Shane Huntley about the work of the Google Threat Analysis Group and the current cyber threat landscape. In the Integrated Review 2021, the UK Government detailed its vision of the UK’s role in the world over the next two decades, outlining a tilt to the Indo-Pacific. Dr Marcus Hellyer speaks to Professor Alessio Patalano about the Indo-Pacific tilt, the UK’s naval strategy and defence capability priorities. Guests (in order of appearance): Dr Alex Bristow: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/dr-alex-bristow Bec Shrimpton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-shrimpton-09233265/?originalSubdomain=au Karly Winkler: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/karly-winkler Shane Huntley: https://twitter.com/ShaneHuntley Dr Marcus Hellyer: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/marcus-hellyer Professor Alessio Patalano: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/dr-alessio-patalano Music: "Jah Jah Bangs" by Quincas Moreira