ANU National Security College

Why is #ASEAN a key player in preventive diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific region?

@becstrating.bsky.social, Huong Le Thu & Collin Koh join @rorymedcalf.bsky.social to discuss the complexities of conflict prevention in the Indo-Pacific region.

Listen now🔽
tinyurl.com/4jjefvat

$10b contract awarded to Japanese shipbuilder - ABC listen A Japanese company has beaten out a German one to build the Royal Australian Navy's $10 billion fleet to replace the aging ANZAC-class frigates.

A busy news day for naval capability. I joined @abcnews @andy_park on #TheWorldToday to discuss 🇦🇺's decision to acquire the upgraded Mogami & what this mean for the @Australian_Navy

You can listen to the interview via the link below 👇

@nscanu.bsky.social

www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...

NSC hosted roundtable with a delegation from the Lao-Australia Friendship Association, led by Dr Khiane Phansourivong. 🇱🇦 🇦🇺

The roundtable explored national #security policy, the role of #ASEAN, and the workings of government – with a strong focus on the enduring value of people-to-people links.

New podcast 🎙️

What challenges are faced in trying to prevent conflict in the Indo-Pacific?

@becstrating.bsky.social, Huong Le Thu, Collin Koh join @rorymedcalf.bsky.social to discuss the role #ASEAN, #Australia and others must play in avoiding conflict in the region.

Listen⤵️
tinyurl.com/4jjefvat

How can we avoid conflict in our region? 📢

@becstrating.bsky.social, Huong Le Thu & Collin Koh join
@rorymedcalf.bsky.social to discuss the complexities of conflict prevention in the Indo-Pacific region, emphasising the role of #ASEAN, #Australia & other partners.

Listen now⤵️
tinyurl.com/4jjefvat

Wider AUKUS review could water down criticism of subs pact A Pentagon assessment of the deal will now consult other American government arms after the initial probe was led by a known sceptic of the pact.

Wider AUKUS review could water down criticism of subs pact |

I spoke with @FinancialReview's @andrewtillett this week about the US #AUKUS review 👇

@nscanu.bsky.social @UNSWCanberra @congeostrategy.bsky.social

www.afr.com/politics/fed...

National security has increasingly gained media exposure

Yet we don’t know a lot about how today’s Australians think about their security.

Our Community Consultations are hoping to fill this gap.

Tell us what security means to you – be it 50 words or 5000.

nsc.anu.edu.au/make-submiss...

In the latest #NatSecPod 📢

Is #America retreating from global leadership?

John Blaxland unpacks how the #Trump administration is retreating from ideational leadership to a more transactional model of America First policies.

Listen👇
tinyurl.com/25spfa73

@davidmandrews.bsky.social

National Security News | July 2025

🌏 Publication on conflict prevention by @rorymedcalf.bsky.social Huong Le Thu @becstrating.bsky.social
🔎 Launch of review of the definition of a ‘terrorist act’
👤 Program on the future of intelligence
💡 Expert opinions

...& more.⤵️
mailchi.mp/anu/nsc-nati...

New podcast 📢

A temporary wave of tension in the bilateral relationship, or a long-term shift?

John Blaxland joins @davidmandrews.bsky.social to discuss the current state of the 🇦🇺🇺🇸 Australia–US relationship.

Listen👇
tinyurl.com/25spfa73

Looking forward to this event with friends & security community colleagues @SamRoggeveen & @SusannahCPatton

An important discussion at an important time for our nation.

@nscanu.bsky.social @UNSWCanberra @LowyInstitute

🔗 resources.lowyinstitute.org/events/how-t...

New podcast 📢 

John Blaxland joins @davidmandrews.bsky.social to discuss Australia’s relationship with the US, and why he believes we’re well placed to withstand the instabilities of Trump’s second term in office.

Listen👇 
tinyurl.com/25spfa73

Always great to contribute to the @WADefence's annual publication 👇, this time on the future of the @Australian_Navy

The @WADefence is an important addition to the 🇦🇺 defence discussion from one if the 2 states that is central to the future of of 🇦🇺 shipbuilding

@nscanu.bsky.social

"The global centre of economic and strategic gravity has moved to this region." – Professor Rory Medcalf AM, Head, ANU National Security College

In the latest #NatSecPod 📢

How was the Indo-Pacific concept born?

@rorymedcalf.bsky.social and @davidmandrews.bsky.social discuss how the concept has developed since its inception and how it could look a decade on from now.

Listen👇
lnkd.in/eKW5KVeW

New podcast 📢 
 
A decade at the helm

@rorymedcalf.bsky.social joins @davidmandrews.bsky.social to look back on the past decade in which he has served as Head of NSC and the evolution of global threats over this period.
 
Listen👇 
tinyurl.com/4kwhjkwn

Why is a credible naval force critical to 🇦🇺's defence?

'the maritime domain is 🇦🇺’s external life-support system. Protecting it is not optional, it is existential'.

I discuss in my recent op=ed👇

Un-paywalled link here 🔗 www.jennifer-parker.com.au/post/aukus-i...

@nscanu.bsky.social

"If the US is becoming less interested in maintaining the global order that it's maintained for so long ... might this be the ingredient that we see to ensure that South Korea goes nuclear?" – Professor Maria Rost Rublee

In the latest #NatSecPod 📢

Could shifting international security dynamics encourage countries like South Korea or Japan to pursue nuclear weapons programs?

Michael Cohen and @mariarostrublee.bsky.social join @davidmandrews.bsky.social to discuss.

Listen👇

tinyurl.com/37trjdeu

Looking forward to heading to WA to talk underwater domain awareness with @defenceuwa.bsky.social & @CSDR_India
for their @dfat 🇦🇺-🇮🇳 Strategic & Technology Policy Initiative Grant work

Should be a fascinating discussion & one close to my heart as an ASW officer.

@nscanu.bsky.social @unswcanberra

AUKUS: Building confidence in Australia’s submarine pathway Promises need to shift to performance, judged against a published timeline.

A lot has been achieved under #AUKUS - it's impressive. But, why we fascinate over US decision-making we must ask are our actions building confidence with our partners.

My latest op-ed for @lowyinstitute.bsky.social discusses 👇

@nscanu.bsky.social

www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

New podcast 📢

What impact will #US and #Israeli air strikes on Iran have on global non-proliferation efforts?

Mike Cohen and @mariarostrublee.bsky.social join @davidmandrews.bsky.social to discuss this and more.

Listen👇
tinyurl.com/37trjdeu

I recently spoke with @SBSNews @claudiafarhart about China's military modernisation and Taiwan's Han Kuang civil & military exercise occurring this wk

You can watch the full segment here youtu.be/FkAL-CgcqJc?...

@nscanu.bsky.social @UNSWCanberra @congeostrategy.bsky.social

New podcast 📢

Nuclear flashpoint: Iran strikes, non-proliferation, and future threats

Michael Cohen & Maria Rost Rublee join @davidmandrews.bsky.social to discuss how the #Iran strikes have brought #nuclear non-proliferation back to the forefront of policy debates.

Listen
tinyurl.com/37trjdeu

📢 We’re delighted to welcome Caroline Millar to the NSC community as a Distinguished Advisor.

She brings decades of diplomatic, defence and national security experience to the College.

We look forward to working with her.
👉 nsc.anu.edu.au/people/carol...

“If #conflict prevention only becomes a priority when military escalation is plainly imminent, then it will be too late.”

New report by @rorymedcalf.bsky.social, Huong Le Thu &
@becstrating.bsky.social was cited by @senatorwong.bsky.social in her speech.

Read it now👇
tinyurl.com/ysj4y2mh

🎙️ In the latest #NatSecPod

What’s at stake if Australia fails to adapt in the age of disinformation?

Jodie Wrigley, Anthony Bradstreet, & Allison Curtis join @davidmandrews.bsky.social to discuss this and more.

Listen now👇
tinyurl.com/bd786h8h

@senateshj.bsky.social @strongcitiesnetwork.org

New podcast🎙️

What are some of the challenges societies face because of dis- and #misinformation during disaster response?

Jodie Wrigley, Anthony Bradstreet, and Allison Curtis join @davidmandrews.bsky.social to discuss the cost of these challenges.

Listen now👇
tinyurl.com/bd786h8h

New podcast🎙️

⛔️ Disasters, distrust, and disinformation

Jodie Wrigley, Anthony Bradstreet, and Allison Curtis join @davidmandrews.bsky.social to discuss the evolving challenges posed by mis- and disinformation in #crisis response scenarios.

Listen now👇
tinyurl.com/bd786h8h

Talking about national security doesn’t mean donning a tie and using fancy jargon.

Nope! We're just regular Aussies (mostly) who want to hear from you.

Quick thought? Submit it.
Manifesto? Submit that too!

Your 50 words are just as welcome as your 5000.

nsc.anu.edu.au/make-submiss...

National security news | June 2025

🔎 What does national security mean to you?
🇮🇷🇮🇱 #Iran, #Israel and the future of Middle East security
🌏 Expert insights on global geopolitics – and what it means for #Australia

...and more.

Read now⤵️
mailchi.mp/anu/nsc-nati...

@rorymedcalf.bsky.social

In the latest #NatSecPod🎙️

What were the motivations behind the recent US-Israeli attacks on Iran? Was it preventive or pre-emptive action?

@jessiemoritz.bsky.social and Ian Parmeter join @davidmandrews.bsky.social to discuss.

Listen now ⤵️
tinyurl.com/32fje4ax