The National Security Podcast

How has AI fundamentally changed Australia’s cyber security landscape, and are our traditional ways of managing cyber risk still fit-for-purpose?
What does sovereignty mean for Australia when the most powerful AI companies, infrastructure and models are largely based overseas?
As AI agents become more autonomous, who should be responsible when they cause harm?

In this episode, Rory Medcalf is joined by Alastair MacGibbon to examine how AI is reshaping cyber security – and what that means for Australia’s national security.

Alastair MacGibbon is one of Australia's most experienced cyber security leaders, a former Special Adviser to the Prime Minister on cyber security and founder of CyberCX.
Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of the ANU National Security College. His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia.

TRANSCRIPT

Show notes:
The National Security Podcast - How thirsty is AI? Competing for Australia's most strategic resource
NSC academic programs – find out more
No worries? Australian attitudes to national security, risk and resilience
AI, digital literacy and the future of democracy

We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. Follow us on LinkedIn or Instagram @nsc.anu. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.
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How concerned should Australia be about the UK’s ability to deliver its side of AUKUS?
What role can middle powers play as the international order becomes more fragmented?
How should Australia and its partners balance alliances with their own national interests in a more contested world?

In part two of our geopolitical update, Sharryn Parker is joined by Charles Edel, Dilnoza Ubaydullaeva and Euan Graham to discuss AUKUS, the role of middle powers in a changing world and how Australian can build greater strategic agency while still deepening the US alliance.

Dr Charles Edel is Senior Adviser and Australia Chair at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies and an expert on statecraft and great power competition.
Dr Dilnoza Ubaydullaeva is a Lecturer at the ANU National Security College (NSC) and an expert on Central Asia and the positioning of the Global South in world power.
Dr Euan Graham is an Expert Associate at NSC whose research spans military strategy and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.
Sharryn Parker is Senior Policy Advisor at NSC, on secondment from the Department of Defence.

TRANSCRIPT

Show notes:
Listen to part 1 of this geopolitical update here
NSC academic programs – find out more
Navigating Australia’s Future in an Uncertain World - Address to the National Press Club of Australia by Dr Kevin Rudd
John Howard on 9/11, geopolitics and Australia’s security

We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. Follow us on LinkedIn or Instagram @nsc.anu. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How much strategic bandwidth does the United States have as it manages the Iran war, Ukraine and its wider global commitments?
How are conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East changing the nature and cost of modern warfare?
What does China’s growing military power and activity in the Indo-Pacific mean for Australian security?

In this episode, Sharryn Parker is joined by Charles Edel, Dilnoza Ubaydullaeva and Euan Graham to discuss the wars in Iran and Ukraine – and what they are revealing about the United States’ capacity, weapons stockpiles, and the changing character of warfare.

Dr Charles Edel is Senior Adviser and Australia Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and an expert on statecraft and great power competition.
Dr Dilnoza Ubaydullaeva is a Lecturer at the ANU National Security College (NSC) and an expert on Central Asia and the positioning of the Global South in world power.
Dr Euan Graham is an Expert Associate at NSC whose research spans military strategy and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.
Sharryn Parker is Senior Policy Advisor at NSC, on secondment from the Department of Defence.

TRANSCRIPT

Show notes:

NSC academic programs – find out more
Navigating Australia’s Future in an Uncertain World - Address to the National Press Club of Australia by Dr Kevin Rudd
John Howard on 9/11, geopolitics and Australia’s security
Community Consultations report
US National Security Strategy

We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do we balance effective national security laws with protecting individual rights and democratic freedoms?
Where is the line between legitimate foreign influence and foreign interference?
How well do Australia’s espionage laws protect journalism and political discourse?
How should Australia’s terrorism laws respond to a threat environment increasingly involving children and different forms of violent extremism?

In this episode, Sharryn Parker speaks with Jake Blight – Australia’s Independent National Security Legislation Monitor –about whether Australia’s national security laws are keeping pace with the changing nature of espionage, foreign interference and terrorism.

Jake Blight is Australia’s Independent National Security Legislation Monitor (INSLM).
Sharryn Parker is Senior Policy Advisor at NSC, on secondment from the Department of Defence.

TRANSCRIPT

Show notes:
· NSC academic programs – find out more
· Launching the review of the definition of a ‘terrorist act’
· The monitor's lens: the Secrecy Review and insights from the INSLM
· Espionage, Foreign Interference and Related Offences Report
· Issues Paper – Review of the definition of a ‘terrorist act’

We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do ports sustain Australia’s economy, border security and defence preparedness?
What are the biggest strategic challenges facing Australian ports?
What role do ports play in combating organised crime and protecting Australia’s borders?
What partnership, policy or capability would most improve Australia’s port security now?

In this episode, Sharryn Parker speaks with Mike Gallacher and Mike Outram about the role of ‘ports’ as critical infrastructure and the challenges of protecting Australia’s maritime supply chains.

Michael Gallacher is Chief Executive Officer at Ports Australia.
Michael Outram is the former Australian Border Force Commissioner and Distinguished Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC).
Sharryn Parker is a Senior Policy Advisor at NSC, on secondment from the Department of Defence.

TRANSCRIPT

Show notes:
· NSC academic programs – find out more
· Beyond the Checkpoint by Mike Outram

We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.