In this episode of Stop the World, ASPI Senior Analyst Alex Bristow interviews John Spencer, the Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point and host of the Urban Warfare Project podcast.

Alex and John discuss urban warfare in the context of the conflict in Ukraine and Gaza, asymmetric capabilities and the impact of technology on warfare.

They also talk about the laws of armed conflict and the public debate around Israel and Gaza, as well consider prospects for peace in Ukraine.

Guests:

Dr Alex Bristow
John Spencer

In the latest video edition of The Sydney Dialogue Summit Sessions, ASPI Senior Fellow Dr Robert Glasser speaks to the former President of Kiribati and Chair of the Pacific Elders Voice Anote Tong.

Anote is one of the Pacific region’s most prominent and respected advocates for action to combat climate change.

Robert and Anote discuss the impact that climate change is having in the Pacific and what action needs to be taken now to limit further climate disruptions.

They also discuss Australia’s relationship with the Pacific, China’s presence in the region and the opportunities and challenges that great power competition presents for Pacific Island nations.

Anote was a panellist at The Sydney Dialogue, ASPI’s premier policy summit for critical, emerging and cyber technologies, held on September 2 and 3. This special episode is the sixth is a series of podcasts filmed on the sidelines of the conference.

Speakers:

Anote Tong - https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/anote-tong

Dr Robert Glasser - https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/robert-glasser

In this episode of Stop the World, Justin Bassi speaks to retired General Tom Middendorp – also known as the ‘Climate General’ – about the links between climate change, defence and security. They discuss the impact of climate change on the military and its role in disaster preparedness and response.

With a growing global population meaning a growing demand on natural resources, the conversation also explores how we can adapt and learn to do more with fewer resources. They consider the role that technology and innovation can play in responding to climate change, as well as the importance of supply chain security.

They also discuss the different climate risks in South and Southeast Asia and the Pacific, and how countries like Australia and the Netherlands can work together to support these regions and help address the combined climate and security threats we face.

Guests:

Justin Bassi

General Tom Middendorp

In this episode of Stop the World, ASPI’s Dr Malcolm Davis and Dr Cathy Moloney speak with special guest General Sir Jim Hockenhull, Commander of the United Kingdom’s Strategic Command.

They discuss the global strategic outlook and the importance of partnerships, including AUKUS, and the need for partners to be truly integrated. They explore how artificial intelligence, cyber and electronic warfare are transforming the military domain, and how countries like the UK and Australia can adapt.

They also talk about the UK’s Strategic Defence Review, which is currently under way and due to be released next year. General Hockenhull details the challenges and questions the review aims to address, and the similarities between the UK’s review and Australia’s Defence Strategic Review.

Guests:

Dr Malcolm Davis

Dr Cathy Moloney

General Sir Jim Hockenhull

In the latest edition of the Sydney Dialogue Summit Sessions, ASPI Analyst Daria Impiombato interviews Japanese politician Arfiya Eri. Arfiya is a Japanese woman of Uyghur and Uzbek heritage. She talks about her experiences in Japanese politics, her experiences online and the importance of diversity in politics.

They discuss Japan’s place in the world as well as identity, diversity and national security. If you want to watch this interview rather than listen, head over to ASPI’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ASPICanberra/videos

To watch Arfiya’s Sydney Dialogue session on demand, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caQskODUU7M

This episode of Stop the World is a deep dive into quantum computing with Dr Pete Shadbolt, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at PsiQuantum, and Alex Capri, Research Fellow at the Hinrich Foundation.

The conversation provides a breakdown of quantum computing and explores the challenges and profound opportunities that the technology could bring. Alex and Pete discuss how quantum computing can be applied in a practical sense, from biotech to the battlefield, and they examine the potential security implications of the technology and how we can ensure it is used for good.

They also discuss the importance of encouraging more diversity in the quantum sector, particularly to strengthen supply chain security and resilience. Finally, Pete details what PsiQuantum’s planned quantum computer in Queensland will look like and how it will be built.

This conversation was recorded in September at The Sydney Dialogue - ASPI’s premier policy summit for critical, emerging and cyber technologies. You can watch the conversation on ASPI’s YouTube channel here.

In the latest episode of Stop the World, Justin Bassi speaks to Abe Denmark, former senior advisor to US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III and now non-resident senior associate with the Asia Program at CSIS. Given their respective roles in the US and Australian governments to establish AUKUS, Abe and Justin discuss the need for the partnership and how it came together. They also outline what the three countries now need to do to make it work to deliver greater regional stability and security, as well as opportunities for broader collaboration with trusted partners.

Beyond AUKUS, they also discuss the global strategic outlook, and the challenges the US and its partners are grappling with – conflict in the Middle East and Europe, and an increasingly assertive China in the Indo-Pacific – and its strategy in managing multiple crises at once.

Mentioned in this episode:

https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australia-needs-to-engage-its-youth-population-around-aukus/

Guests:

Justin Bassi

Abraham M. Denmark

It’s a double episode week on Stop the World, and today we bring you a conversation with Jennifer Bachus, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy at the US Department of State. ASPI’s Bart Hogeveen speaks to Jennifer about cyber security and tech diplomacy, and how the US Government is working to improve cyber resilience at home and supporting partners globally to do the same.

They discuss threats such as ransomware and cybercrimes and recent developments including the draft UN convention against cybercrime, and the US-led global Counter Ransomware Initiative. Bart asks Jennifer how the US government is adapting to a constantly evolving tech landscape and changing threat environment countries are facing in the cyber domain.

Mentioned in this episode:

Draft UN convention against cybercrime

Counter Ransomware Initiative

One Bullet Away, by Nathaniel Fick

Chip War, by Chris Miller

Guests:

Bart Hogeveen
Jennifer Bachus