The National Security Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Strengthening national security through diversity: an interview with ASIS’ Chief Technology Officer Sep 06, 2023

Show notes

How did a Sri Lankan migrant go from new arrival to Chief Technology Officer in Australia’s secret intelligence service?

What barriers can migrants and members of ethnically diverse communities face while trying to forge a career in Australian intelligence?

What steps are being taken to create more opportunities for people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds at ASIS, and in the National Intelligence Community more broadly?

In this first-of-its kind interview with an unidentified Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) officer, Carl Chang and Caroline van Heuzen talk to Raj about his journey of migrating to Australia and finding his place working with Australia's overseas secret intelligence agency.

Raj shares the impacts of work ASIS is doing to improve CALD representation within intelligence organisations, and what this means for Australia’s national security.

While the name and voice of this ASIS officer has been changed to protect their identify, their story remains unaltered.

Carl Chang is co-leader of the Mission Management Division at the Office of National Intelligence (ONI) and is ONI's Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Champion.

Raj (name changed to maintain anonymity) is the Chief Technology Officer at the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS).

Caroline van Heuzen is a Deputy Head at the ANU National Security College on secondment from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Show notes:

Careers at ASIS: find out more

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. The National Security Podcast is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.

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The quantum frontier: Australia’s achievements and ambitions Aug 31, 2023

Show notes

What is quantum science and why does it matter?

How is Australia performing in the “quantum race”?

What are some of the ethical, societal and security implications that need to be considered, as the world rushes to get this technology off the ground?

In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Dr Cathy Foley and Professor Michelle Simmons join Professor Rory Medcalf to discuss Australia’s quantum strategy, the technology’s relationship to national security and its ethical and social implications.

Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM is Australia’s Chief Scientist, providing authoritative and independent science advice on whole-of-Government science and technology priorities. She is the author for a message of introduction to Australia’s National Quantum Strategy.

Professor Michelle Simmons AO is Director of the Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology. She was also named as the 2018 Australian of the Year for her work and dedication to quantum information science.

Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of ANU National Security College. His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia.

Show notes:

ANU National Security College academic programs: find out more
National Quantum Strategy : find out more
Quad Tech Network: find out more
AUKUS Pillar 2 – Advanced capabilities programme: find out more
How can you prepare now for the quantum computing future? (survey): find out more

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Mapping the future: how strategic foresight can supercharge policymaking Aug 24, 2023

Show notes

What major trends will shape the next two decades?

How can futures analysis be used to manage risk and harness opportunities?

And how can governments better integrate futures thinking into public administration?

In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Dr Joseph Voros, Odette Meli and Dr Ryan Young join Dayle Stanley to discuss the intricacies and applications of future analysis.

Dr Joseph Voros isa physicist and futurist with over 25 years of experience in futures analysis.

Odette Meli has more than 25 years of professional experience at the Australian Federal Police, where she established and led the Strategic Insights Centre.

Dr Ryan Young is the Director, Research & Methods at the NSC Futures Hub.

Dayle Stanley is the Director, Strategy and Engagement at the NSC Futures Hub.

Show notes:

ANU National Security College academic programs: find out more
FuturePod: find out more
Future Shock by Alvin Toffler: find out more
What We Owe the Future by William Macaskill: find out more
ANZPAA Futures and Strategic Foresight Toolkit: find out more
Futures Hub at the ANU National Security College: find out more
Joseph Voros' Voroscope blog: find out more
UK: Government Office on Foresight: find out more
Canada: Policy Horizons: find out more
Singapore: Centre for Strategic Futures: find out more
US: National Intelligence Council Publications: find out more
New Zealand: Futures thinking: find out more

To connect with the Futures Hub about their work or possible employment opportunities, email the team at futureshub.nsc@anu.edu.au.

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Beyond crime scenes: the proactive power of modern forensic science Aug 17, 2023

Show notes

How has rapid technological advancement influenced the way the Australian Federal Police approaches forensic science?

What is the difference between forensics conducted at a national level and that of state police forces?

And how does the AFP proactively use forensics to protect and serve Australians?

In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Dr Simon Walsh joins David Andrews to discuss the evolving world of forensic science and its implications for policing and national security.

Dr Simon Walsh is the Chief Scientist, Forensics at the Australian Federal Police.

David Andrews is the acting Policy Manager at the ANU National Security College.

Show notes:  

ANU National Security College academic programs: find out more

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Under a growing shadow: Kevin Yam on Hong Kong's future Aug 10, 2023

Show notes

Kevin Yam has a bounty on his head. The Australian citizen, who lived in Hong Kong for 20 years, is accused of breaching the infamous national security law China imposed on Hong Kong three years ago.

In this episode of the National Security Podcast, he joins Professor Rory Medcalf to discuss the future of Hong Kong, lessons from his experience inside its pro-democracy movement, and his concerns about Australian judges serving in its judicial system.

Kevin Yam is an Australia-based lawyer, presently pursuing his Master of Laws at the University of Melbourne. A Senior Fellow at Georgetown University's Center for Asian Law and an Editor-at-Large at Mekong Review, Yam is a prominent commentator on China and Hong Kong affairs. Notably, he is one of the eight activists targeted by Hong Kong's arrest warrant.

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. 

Show notes:

ANU National Security College academic programs: find out more
Mekong Review

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The view from Washington: Charles Edel on Australia-US relations Aug 03, 2023

Show notes

What are the common misconceptions some Americans have about Australia?

How has the Australia-United States alliance been affected by the changing international order?

And what might the future of this relationship hold, given increasing collaboration between the two nations?

In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Charles Edel joins David Andrews to examine the Australia-United States relationship.

Charles Edel is a senior adviser and the inaugural Australia Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

David Andrews is the acting Policy Manager at the ANU National Security College.

Show notes:

ANU National Security College academic programs: find out more
Australia can be America’s green power hub in the Indo-Pacific, James Carouso and Charles Edel: read more

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Addressing atrocities in the digital era Jul 27, 2023

Show notes

How can cyber capabilities be used in atrocity prevention?

What role could AI and machine learning play in humanitarian interventions?

And how has the proliferation of social media contributed to violence against minorities?

In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Associate ProfessorCecilia Jacob and Dr Rhiannon Neilsen join Dr Danielle Ireland-Piper to shed light on the role of cyber and social media in humanitarianism.

Dr Rhiannon Neilsen is a Cyber Security Postdoctoral Fellow in the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University.

Dr Cecilia Jacob is an Associate Professor and Fellow in the Department of International Relations at the ANU Coral Bell School of Asia and the Pacific.

Dr Danielle Ireland-Piper is Associate Professor and Academic Convenor at the ANU National Security College. 

Show notes:  

ANU National Security College academic programs: find out more  
Read the GAAMAC Report: Preventing hate speech discrimination and incitement - lessons on promoting tolerance and respect for diversity in the Asia Pacific.
Cecilia Jacob, Foreign policy and promotion of human rights for atrocity prevention

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Risk and reward: Chinese Australians and the national security community Jul 20, 2023

Show notes

Is Australia’s Chinese diaspora misunderstood? What challenges do Chinese Australians face when trying to establish a career in the Australian Public Service? And how can the national security community increase pathways for this community to enter, and stay, in this field of work?

In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Dr Jennifer Hsu and Yun Jiang join Olivia Shen to unpack the diverse experiences of Chinese Australians and explore how these perspectives can enrich Australia's national security community.

Dr Jennifer Hsu is the author of the Lowy Institute’s 2023 Being Chinese in Australia: Public Opinion in Chinese Communities. She is Visiting Senior Fellow at the Social Policy and Research Centre at the University of New South Wales and most recently, Research Fellow and Project Director of the Multiculturalism, Identity and Influence Project at the Lowy Institute.

Yun Jiang is the Australian Institute of International Affairs China Matters Fellow. She was previously the co-founder and editor of China Neican, managing editor of the China Story blog at the Australian Centre on China in the World at ANU, and a Commonwealth public servant.

Olivia Shen isa Director in the Executive and Professional Development Program at the ANU National Security College.

Show notes:

Being Chinese in Australia: Public opinion in Chinese communities - Lowy Institute
ANU National Security College academic programs: find out more
To share your own experiences on diversity and inclusion in the APS, please get in touch with the taskforce at caldstrategy@apsc.gov.au
The Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP on forthcoming research by economists Robert Breunig, David Hansell and Nu Nu Win: read more

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South Korea's Indo-Pacific Strategy: a new era of regional engagement Jul 13, 2023

Show notes

What does South Korea see as its role in the Indo-Pacific?

How does it view the nuclear threat from North Korea?

And what are the opportunities that the Australia-Korea relationship presents for regional security and stability?

In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Dr Go Myong-Hyun and Dr Lee Jaehyon from the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, join Professor Rory Medcalf to discuss South Korea's Indo-Pacific strategy and its implications for regional security and stability.

Dr Go Myong-Hyun is a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies.

Dr Lee Jaehyon isa research fellow and director of the Center for ASEAN and Oceanian Studies at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies.

Show notes:

Asan Institute for Policy Studies
Strategy for a Free, Peaceful, and Prosperous Indo-Pacific Region, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea
ANU National Security College academic programs: find out more

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Redefining the battlefield: robotics, artificial intelligence and the Australian Army Jul 06, 2023

Show notes

What is the Australian Army doing to develop its robotic and autonomous systems capabilities?

How likely is the prospect of autonomous 'killer robots' taking to the battlefield?

And can the Australian Defence Force partner with industry for technical solutions while maintaining sovereign capability?

In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Colonel Robin Smith joins Olivia Shen to shed light on the Australian Army’s Robotic and Autonomous Systems Strategy, and how the team he leads is implementing the plan.

Colonel Robin Smith is the inaugural Director of the Australian Army’s Robotic and Autonomous Systems Implementation and Coordination Office (RICO) within Future Land Warfare Branch of the Australian Army HQ.

Olivia Shen is Director in the Executive and Professional Development Program at the ANU National Security College.

Show notes: