The Lowy Institute

With Western countries consumed by domestic problems, will it be China and Russia that now define the rules of global politics?On 5 April the Lowy Institute hosted the Sydney launch of A Wary Embrace, a new Lowy Institute Paper published by Penguin Random House Australia with Bobo Lo. In a disorderly world, each has become increasingly assertive, and their partnership has emerged from relative obscurity to acquire a new prominence. Yet appearances are deceptive. Beijing and Moscow have shown no capacity to cooperate on grand strategy or establish new international norms. This is no authoritarian alliance, but a partnership of strategic convenience – pragmatic, calculating and constrained.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lowy Institute's East Asia Program Director Merriden Varrall speaks to Mark 'Dashan (大山)' Rowswell, an extremely prominent Canadian Chinese-language comedian and performer, about Dashan's perspective on what constitutes 'friendship' in China, how Chinese choose to self-identify and the notion of 'identity bubbles', and the consequences of all this for China's international relationships.Dashan will in Australia performing in Mandarin at the Melbourne Comedy Festival from 13 April to 16 April, and at the Sydney Comedy Festival on 28 April.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'Grievance against the rest of the world is not just a part of Trump’s ideology, it is at its very core.' That is the judgement of Dr Thomas Wright, a Fellow at the Brookings Institution and a Nonresident Fellow at the Lowy Institute. That sense of grievance is already affecting America’s posture in Asia, with the Trump administration’s decision to walk away from the TPP trade agreement.On 20 March in Melbourne, Dr Thomas Wright addressed the Lowy Institute on what the Trump Administration means for America’s place in Asia’s economic and strategic order.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On 16 March Professor Koh addressed the Lowy Institute on the future of international law under the Trump administration. Professor Koh is an international lawyer and legal scholar. From 2009 to 2012, he served as the Legal Adviser to the State Department in the Obama administration, and was the most senior legal adviser to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He also served as the Dean of Yale Law School, and returned there as a professor in international law following his departure from the State Department.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With protectionist sentiment growing around the world, on 7 March the Lowy Institute hosted the Shadow Treasurer the Hon. Chris Bowen MP, who reflected on the importance of growing trade pathways in our region and the continuing importance of trade for a small open economy such as Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

International Security Program Director Euan Graham speaks to Seiichiro Takagi, Senior Research Advisor at the Japan Institute of International Affairs, on China's upcoming 19th Party Congress, the impact of the Trump Administration on regional security, and the current state of Japan-China and Japan-Australia relations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

International Security Program Director Euan Graham speaks to Lieutenant Colonel David Skalicky from the US Air Force on the F-22s now operating out of RAAF Base Tindal, the differences between the F-22 and other aircraft, and the Australian exchange pilot currently flying in Skalicky's squadron.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At a time of significant uncertainty about the shape of the future global order, the Australian Government is preparing its first foreign policy white paper since 2003. On 15 February, the Lowy Institute hosted the former Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Varghese AO in conversation with Lowy Institute Executive Director Dr Michael Fullilove and Director of Polling Alex Oliver for a timely discussion about the White Paper process and how Australia should position itself to advance its interests over the next decade.Peter Varghese AO was Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade from 2012 to 2016 and is the 14th Chancellor of the University of Queensland. His previous appointments include High Commissioner to India, Director-General of the Office of National Assessments, High Commissioner to Malaysia, and Senior Advisor (International) to the Prime Minister of Australia. Mr Varghese was appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia (AO) in 2010 for distinguished ser

Intelligence agencies have never been more newsworthy than they are now. Developments in digital technology have made secrets less secure and leaks more common. In this new landscape, the barriers to disinformation and interference have been lowered. On 14 February, Michael Morell, former Acting Director of the CIA, joined the Lowy Institute for an conversation on these issues. In a career spanning over thirty years, Michael Morell rose to the rank of Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and twice served as its Acting Director. He is a senior fellow at Harvard University's Belfer Centre for Science and International Affairs, a counsellor at Beacon Global Strategies, and a member of the Council on Foreign RelationsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On 9 Melbourne at the National Gallery of Victoria, Lowy Institute Chief Operating Officer Louisa Fitz-Gerald chaired a panel of Dr Euan Graham, Director of the International Security Program; Mr Aaron Connelly, Research Fellow in the East Asia Program; and Dr John Edwards, Nonresident Fellow in the International Economy Program, to examine the key issues likely to dominate the international agenda in Asia, the United States and the international economy in 2017.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On 8 February Major General Roger Noble addressed the Lowy Institute and provided frontline insights into the war against Islamic State. In his role as Deputy Coalition Land Force Commander Iraq, he is effectively second-in-command in the international fight against IS in Iraq. Major General Noble gave a unique and contemporary overview of the state of the anti-Islamic State campaign, the performance of the Iraqi forces, and likely challenges for the post-conflict future of Iraq. Based on the experience of 2016, he discussed some observations of enduring relevance to the conduct of 21st-century military operations.Major General Roger Noble enlisted in the Army in 1984 and began military life as a staff cadet at the Royal Military College. From 1989 to 2004, he served in a variety of regimental appointments in cavalry, APC and tank units. In 2007, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel and appointed Director of Studies at the Australian Command and Staff College. In 2010, he was promoted to Brigadier, and has

On 7 February Professor Akiko Fukushima of Aoyama Gakuin University and the Tokyo Foundation addressed the Lowy Institute on the future of the Australia-Japan security partnership. Her visit comes at a moment of high anxiety and uncertainty in alliance relations and regional security for the Asia-Pacific region. Changes of leadership in Washington and Manila, as well as China’s increasing presence in the South China Sea, are motivating US allies to consider new axes of stability to promote steady leadership, uphold a rules-based regional order, and reduce security concerns. Following Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to Australia, Professor Fukushima examined how, as like-minded allies and bilateral partners, Australia and Japan can cooperate for peace and security in the Asia-Pacific.Professor Akiko Fukushima is a Research Fellow at the Asia International Centre and a Senior Fellow at the Tokyo Foundation. She has a Master’s degree in International Economy and International Relations from: Paul H. Nitze Scho

On 6 February, Lowy Institute Executive Director Michael Fullilove chaired a panel of Institute experts to examine the key issues likely to dominate the international agenda in Asia, the United States and the international economy in 2017.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lowy Institute's International Security Program Director Euan Graham speaks to Prof Kim Woo-sang, former South Korean Ambassador to Australia and Professor in Political Science and International Studies at Yonsei University, about the future of the bilateral relationship, the stability of the region, Australia and South Korea as middle powers, and North Korea. Prof Kim Woo-sang is co-chairing the inaugural Australia-Korea Emerging Leaders in International Security Forum this week, sponsored by the Korea Foundation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is no question that Donald Trump's particular brand of populism has upended American politics, but we are only now beginning to understand what it might mean for Australia and our region. On 31 January the Lowy Institute convened a panel to discuss the implications this most improbable event for Australia, Asia, and US politics. Panellists: Michael Fullilove, Executive Director of the Lowy Institute, Alex Oliver, Director of the Polling Program, Aaron Connelly, East Asia Research Fellow and James Curran, Professor in the Department of History at the University of Sydney.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Interpreter's Managing Editor Emma Connors speaks to the Council on Foreign Relation Senior Fellow for Southeast Asia Josh Kurlantzick about his new book, 'A Great Place to Have a War: America in Laos and the Birth of a Military CIA'.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interpreter Managing Editor Emma Connors speaks to Matthew Dal Santo, a Danish Research Council post-doctoral fellow at the Saxo Institute at the University of Copenhagen, about the assassination of Andrei Karlov, Russia's Ambassador to Turkey, and the general state of the Turkey-Russia relationship.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Admiral Harris visits Australia at an important juncture in alliance relations and regional security, as a new administration prepares to take over the reins in Washington. This year has seen a number of key regional developments, from the Arbitral Tribunal case in the South China Sea, to presidential elections in the Philippines and the United States. There were also a number of other key developments in Australia’s defence, including a new White Paper, a decision on future submarines, and agreement on the terms for hosting rotational US Marine deployments in the Northern Territory. Admiral Harris will highlight key enduring security interests for the US in this fast-moving regional and alliance context.In his role as Commander US Pacific Command, Admiral Harry Harris is responsible for military operations in an area which encompasses more than 100 million square miles—more than half the earth’s surface. Admiral Harris graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1978 and undertook graduate studies in East Asia se

Australia has long been a proponent of international efforts to advance the cause of human rights. This is all the more important at a time when democracy and human rights have suffered serious setbacks in many parts of the world. On 12 December Australia's Foreign Minister the Hon. Julie Bishop MP visited the Lowy Institute for World Human Rights Day, which commemorates the date that the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. The Minister discussed Australia’s candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council in 2018-2020.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On 6 December, Natasha Stott Despoja AM, Australia’s Ambassador for Women and Girls, looked at destinations reached and travels still to be undertaken in the global journey towards gender equality. At the conclusion of her three year term as one of Australia’s key international advocates for gender equality, Ms Stott Despoja reflected on the progress on the global goal of gender equality. Drawing from her visits to 31 countries to promote Australia’s programs and policies to advance women’s empowerment, and her representation of Australia at 29 multilateral and regional gender equality conferences, Ambassador Stott Despoja provided insights into progress towards “Planet 50:50”.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.