United States Studies Centre

“The largest year-on-year increase since World War II.” Our experts unpack Trump’s proposed US$1.5 trillion defence budget on the Briefing Room ↓ https://www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/ussc-briefing-room/will-the-largest-us-defence-budget-clear-congress

A war of convenience, choice or necessity? We look at down what led the US to act, how it compares to the Iraq War, and what it means for allies. Listen → https://www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/ussc-briefing-room/ussc-briefing-room-convenience-choice-or-necessity-examining-the-case-for-striking-iran

“This is not a favour the US does for other countries.” Dr Michael J. Green on the deeper logic behind alliances — and why they last. Listen → https://www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/ussc-briefing-room/ussc-briefing-room-mike-green-and-lavina-lee-on-iran-venezuela-greenland-and-carney-s-speech

Planet America’s Chas Licciardello returns to the Briefing Room. Will the Supreme Court stop Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs? He helps us unpack this question. Listen: https://www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/ussc-briefing-room/ussc-briefing-room-supreme-court-tests-trump-s-tariffs-with-chas-licciardello

Former head of the US Marine Corps Gen. David Berger joined us to talk how interoperability with allies like Australia is key to deterrence. Listen: https://www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/ussc-briefing-room/ussc-briefing-room-how-us-allies-can-influence-us-policy-with-gen-david-berger-ret-d

From the White House to the CIA, @cnas.bsky.social's Lisa Curtis has spent decades helping shape US strategy. She joined us to talk the future of alliances. https://www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/ussc-briefing-room/ussc-briefing-room-the-prognosis-for-the-quad-and-other-us-alliances-in-the-indo-pacific

7 days to go. From tariffs to AI, global conflicts and shifting alliances — 2025 is defined by disruption. What does this mean for US allies, businesses and governments? Find out at SISF 2025. Get your last minute tickets: https://www.ussc.edu.au/sydney-international-strategy-forum-2025

Pandas capture hearts — and serve China’s foreign policy interests. USSC's David Smith and Sydney Uni's Minglu Chen talk the enduring practice of “panda diplomacy.” Listen: https://www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/ussc-briefing-room/ussc-briefing-room-the-role-of-panda-diplomacy-in-international-relations

Coverage of the Epstein saga often stops at the headlines. But what’s the legal reality? Media and defamation law expert Harry Melkonian talks the DOJ’s handling, Maxwell's appeal, and more. Listen: https://www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/ussc-briefing-room/ussc-briefing-room-a-legal-look-at-epstein

Our Sydney International Strategy Forum lineup just got even stronger. Hear from world-leading thinkers shaping the global agenda. Secure tickets: www.ussc.edu.au/sydney-inter...

What’s really driving the US AI Action Plan? Trump says America will win the AI race — but how much of this plan is about competing with China? What’s in it and what’s missing? We break it down on the last episode of the Briefing Room. Listen: www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/uss...

What’s inside Trump’s major legislative package — and how did Republicans navigate narrow majorities to pass it? Leading government relations expert Lester Munson joins us to unpack the politics and process behind the One Big Beautiful Bill. Listen: www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/uss...

From The Matrix to The Fall Guy, Australia has long been a hub for US film production. With Trump's proposed 100% tariff on films made overseas, what’s at stake for the industry? @sydney.edu.au's Mike Seymour joined us on the pod to break it down. Listen: www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/uss...

What’s next for AUKUS under Trump? Former Pentagon Chief of Staff Kelly Magsamen joined us on the pod to discuss the upcoming AUKUS review, defence spending shifts and how Australia fits into Trump’s “Golden Dome” vision. Listen: www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/uss...

Where did Trump’s love of tariffs come from — and what do they actually achieve? In Ep. 3 of the Unpacking Trump 2.0 series, USSC’s Dr John Kunkel unpacks Trump’s tariff strategy and how it will reshape trade dynamics. Listen: www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/uss...

With the NATO Summit underway, it's likely to be quite different from last year's. How will Trump 2.0 engage and will it change the trajectory of international relations? Our experts discuss it all on the Briefing Room pod. Listen in full: www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/uss...

Dealmaking has defined Trump 2.0 — and critical minerals are front and centre. This week, USSC’s Hayley Channer joins the pod to unpack what’s at stake in the China-dominated sector — and how Australia can create new opportunities. Listen in full: www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/uss...

AUKUS depends on Australia’s ability to scale up manufacturing. But how? And what investments are needed? We're joined on the podcast this week by Silicon Valley Defense Group's Bronte Munro and USSC's Sophie Mayo to unpack it all. 🎧 Listen: www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/uss...

Trump’s second term has seen USAID shrink with contracts cancelled, jobs cut, and its future uncertain. USAID former Deputy Assistant Administrator Lester Munson joins us on the podcast to explain the impact and what comes next. 🎧 Listen: www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/uss...

Two decades of war in Iraq and Afghanistan have shaped US strategy, readiness, and policy. This week on the podcast, we unpack the lessons learnt and what the future holds with former US Assistant Secretary of Defense, Mara Karlin. Listen: www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/uss...

🎙️ USSC Briefing Room 🇺🇦 Trump is calling for talks to end the war in Ukraine—but what would a peace deal actually look like? CSS at ETH Zurich/USSC's @goranagrgic.bsky.social joins us to talk how it plays out and what message it could send to the world. Listen: www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/uss...

🎙️ USSC Briefing Room 🇺🇸 He's just released his latest book: 'What Trump’s Second Term Means for Australia.' So we sat down with the USSC’s Bruce Wolpe to break down how rising US protectionism, nativism and isolationism will shape the next 4 years. Listen: www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/uss...

🎙️The Briefing Room 🇺🇸 🌎 What will foreign policy look like under Trump 2.0? Global strategist, retired US Army colonel, defence expert and former Trump administration official Heino Klinck joined us to talk how it will shift. Listen: www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/uss...

🎙️The USSC Briefing Room 🇦🇺🇬🇧🇺🇸 The US is agreeing to share some of its most sensitive nuclear technology with Australia, but what will it take to support it? @csis.org's Cynthia Cook joins us to talk how it will be done. Listen to the podcast: www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/uss...

🎙️The USSC Briefing Room 🌏 Congress is already flexing its power as it considers Trump’s Cabinet nominees, with broader implications for US priorities in the Indo-Pacific and initiatives like AUKUS. Our experts break it down in our latest podcast ep: www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/uss...