The National Security Podcast

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**The National Security Podcast**

Expert analysis, insights and opinion on the national security challenges facing Australia and the Indo-Pacific.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Latest Episodes:

Thinking beyond tomorrow: national security and strategic foresight Oct 29, 2026

Show notes

How can Australia prepare for a future it cannot predict?

What can emerging trends and weak signals tell us about tomorrow's national security challenges?

And what should Australians be asking themselves when thinking about the future they want the country to have?

In this episode, Sharryn Parker is joined by Dr Ryan Young and Laura Stewart to discuss how strategic foresight can help governments and policymakers challenge their assumptions and make more resilient decisions in an uncertain world.

Sharryn Parker is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC), on secondment from the Department of Defence.

Dr Ryan Young is the Director of Research and Methods at the NSC Futures Hub.

Laura Stewart is a Senior Advisor at the NSC Futures Hub.

TRANSCRIPT

Show notes:

Futures Hub strengthens foresight capability across the region
NSC Futures Hub – upcoming programs
NSC academic programs – find out more
No worries? Australian attitudes to national security, risk and resilience

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.

AI has changed the game: can Australia keep up? Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

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 isone 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

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Can middle powers shape the balance of power? Geopolitical update part 2 Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

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 anexpert 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

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Iran, Ukraine and the limits of American power: geopolitical update part 1 Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

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 anexpert 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.

Espionage, foreign interference and Australia’s national security laws Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

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’

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The maritime gateway: ports and border security Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

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

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How thirsty is AI? Competing for Australia's most strategic resource Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

Can Australia reframe water as a national security issue, rather than only an environmental or social policy concern?

Can Australia realistically pursue both AI leadership and sustainable water management?

What happens when drought, climate change, food insecurity, ageing infrastructure and economic pressure combine?

Who should be at the table for a national water strategy?

In this episode, Sharryn Parker speaks with Jason Alexandra and Matthew Coulton about Australia's water future, exploring why water security needs to be understood as a national security issue.

Dr Jason Alexandra is a Senior Research Fellow at the Australian National University’s (ANU) Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions and the Institute for Water Futures.

Matthew Coulton is Associate Director at WSP Australia, and previously served as General Manager Water and Agriculture at the Bureau of Meteorology and as a senior adviser to Australian and New South Wales governments on water policy and reform.

Sharryn Parker is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC), on secondment from the Department of Defence.

TRANSCRIPT

Show notes:

NSC academic programs – find out more
How much water and power will AI data centres use in Australia? Ironically, we don’t have the data to know by Michael Vardon, ANU
Sustainable water services for rural and remote communities by WSP
Reforming water policy for a changing Australia by WSP
Next Steps on the National Water Agreement by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Australian Water Association (AWA) Homepage
Australian Water Directory by AWA
National Water Week

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.

Is Australia ready for the next pathogen threat? Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

How is health connected to national security?

What role should the military play in health security – and where are the limits?

How can Australia improve coordination across agencies before the next crisis arrives?

In this episode, Sharryn Parker speaks with Esperanza Martinez and Nicholas Thomson about why pathogen preparedness, human security and health need to be understood as part of Australia’s broader security picture.

Dr Nick Thomson is Academic Convenor and Fellow at the Pacific Security College.

Dr Esperanza Martinez is Professor in Practice and Head of Health and Human Security at the Australian National University’s (ANU) College of Health and Medicine.

Sharryn Parker is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC), on secondment from the Department of Defence.

TRANSCRIPT

Show notes:

NSC academic programs – find out more
Turning the tide together by Nick Thomson
Harnessing synergies at the interface of public health and the security sector by Nick Thomson
Health and human security: Core to national and global stability by Esperanza Martinez (pg. 94)
Health in a World of Crises and Impunity by Esperanza Martinez

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NZ Chief of Army on Plan ANZAC and the future of land power Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

What is the future trajectory for Plan ANZAC?

How does a small nation like New Zealand (NZ) contribute to collective security in the Indo-Pacific?

How does NZ’s strategic identity differ from Australia’s?

What should the future social contract between NZ and its Defence Force look like? What does effective leadership and stewardship look like?

In this episode, Sharryn Parker is joined by Major General Rose King, Chief of the New Zealand Army, to discuss how NZ land forces undertakes its role in regional security and what closer cooperation with Australia looks like in practice.

Major General Rose King is Chief of Army, New Zealand Defence Force.

Sharryn Parker is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC), on secondment from the Department of Defence.

TRANSCRIPT

Show notes:

· NSC academic programs – find out more

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AUKUS at five: facts and fears Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

Does the flare up in recent AUKUS debates represent the perspectives of the broader Australian public?

Does Australia have a credible Plan B if part of AUKUS falters?

Can Australia sustain the political will and strategic patience needed for a multi-decade defence project?

In this episode, Justin Burke speaks with Jennifer Parker and Peter Dean about what the latest developments mean for AUKUS, the US alliance and Australia’s long-term maritime strategy.

Dr Peter Dean is Professor of Strategic Studies at The Australian National University (ANU).

Jennifer Parker is an Expert Associate at the ANU National Security College (NSC) and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Western Australia.

Justin Burke is Senior Policy Advisor at NSC.

TRANSCRIPT

Show notes:

· NSC academic programs – find out more

· AUKUS poll, by the Lowy Institute

· Defence’s Collins Class Submarines Life of Type Extension — Planning and Implementation, by the Australian National Audit Office

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