The National Security Podcast
13 Mar 2025

Security in transition: Trump’s America, alliances, and global stability

In this episode, Beth Sanner joins Rory Medcalf to explore the Trump administration's approach to global issues – particularly in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, the evolving dynamics of US alliances, and the broader threat environment.

Listen now
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Australian and American flags
NSC

Australia may no longer be ‘deputy sheriff’, but its reliance on the US has only grown deeper since 2000
The US has been a constant in Australia's foreign policy since the year 2000. David Andrews writes why the Trump administration is raising concerns of over-reliance on our top ally.
  • Trump
  • Alliances
  • Aus-US alliance
  • United States
The National Security Podcast
24 Jul 2025

Unpacking the Australia-US relationship with “our man in Washington”

In this episode, John Blaxland joins David Andrews to discuss Australia’s relationship with the US, and why he believes we’re well placed to withstand the instabilities of Trump’s second term in office. 

Acast
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Anthony Albanese and Donald Trump at the White House
Aus Govt, Twitter

Albanese’s won over Trump. Convincing the Australian people about what comes next will be tougher
Rory Medcalf writes that while PM Albanese’s US trip strengthened ties, the harder task now is preparing Australians for the demands of national security and the alliance responsibilty.
  • Trump
  • Aus-US alliance
  • United States
  • Geopolitics and Regionalism
  • Alliances
  • AUKUS
Dr Charles Edel with Dayle Stanley and Professor Rory Medcalf
NSC

Future-proofing the American-Australian alliance
The NSC Futures Hub recently delivered a workshop – 'Future-proofing the American-Australian alliance: exploring opportunities and challenges together in South East Asia and the Pacific'.
  • futures analysis
  • Policymaking
  • Aus-US alliance
  • United States
Office professional selecting candidate profile with handshake icon on digital interface.
Vatcharachai, Adobe Stock

Fighting to Be Friends: Third-Party Bargaining, Alliance Formation, and War
Brandon Yoder and Mike Cohen explore the nature of alliance bargaining and assurance.
  • Alliances
  • Aus-US alliance
  • Geopolitics and Regionalism
  • China
  • Japan
  • Korean Peninsula
  • Diplomacy
Attendees at the roundtable with Kelly Magsamen
NSC/Jed Buchanan

Strategic perspectives: Australia-US alliance in focus
NSC convened a roundtable with Kelly Magsamen, formerly the Chief of Staff to the United States Secretary of Defense during the Biden administration.
  • Aus-US alliance
  • US-Australia relations
  • United States
President Donald J. Trump concludes his remarks at the 450th mile of the new border wall Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, near the Texas Mexico border.
Trump White House

The Trump presidency and Australia’s security: don’t panic, don’t relax
Rory Medcalf, Ryan Young, Marina Tsirbas, Matt Sussex write about the state of Aus-US relations with respect to the Trump administration.
  • Trump
  • United States
  • Aus-US alliance
An F/A-18F Super Hornet attached to the Black Lions of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213 prepares for flight on board the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet

The future of Australia's alliance with the United States
Speech by Professor Rory Medcalf, Head of the National Security College, at the National Press Club.
  • Aus-US alliance
  • Alliances
  • United States
  • Indo-Pacific

What does the Trump-Albanese meeting mean for US-Australia relations?
Rory Medcalf interview | ABC

'Glaring mismatch': Why Australia has few good defence options without the US
Rory Medcalf interview | SBS

Should Anthony Albanese rally for AUKUS, or is it 'time to abandon ship'?
David Andrews interview | SBS

Deal sealed with US, now we need to talk about China
Rowan Callick | The Australian

In view of Trump’s review of AUKUS, should Australia cancel the subs deal? We asked 5 experts
David Andrews and Jennifer Parker | The Conversation

Why it matters that DoD quit on a defense forum in Australia
Professor Rory Medcalf | Breaking Defense

White House? Looks like Albanese’s in Trump’s doghouse
George Brandis | SMH