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Hitting Russia harder might inflict more damage. But what turns that damage into victory—and what would victory actually look like? Former US Army Europe commander Lieutenant General (Ret.) Ben Hodges joins Dr John Bruni on The Focus Podcast to examine Ukraine’s options, Russia’s vulnerabilities and the difficult choices facing Western governments. At the centre of the conversation is a hard strategic question: how does striking Russia’s oil and gas export capacity translate into a decisive military outcome? And there is a wider dilemma. If Russian energy exports are squeezed while conflict in the Middle East puts supplies under pressure, how much economic pain can Ukraine’s supporters absorb? Military forces themselves need fuel—and the ability to sustain a war matters as much as the ability to strike. We explore:
 • The link between economic damage and battlefield results.
 • What a credible strategy for Ukrainian victory requires.
 • The energy pressures facing both military forces and civilian economies.
 • Whether Western ambition is matched by the resources and resolve to deliver. A direct conversation about the gap between hitting harder and achieving a lasting strategic result. What do you think: what would turn pressure on Russia into a decisive outcome? Leave your view in the comments. Subscribe to The Focus Podcast from SAGE International for more conversations on geopolitics, defence and statecraft. If this discussion makes you think, share it. #Ukraine #BenHodges #Russia Show Notes: ABOUT BEN HODGES Lieutenant General (Ret.) Ben Hodges served as Commanding General of United States Army Europe from 2014 to 2017 and previously commanded NATO Allied Land Command in İzmir, Turkey, from 2012 to 2014. A 1980 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, he served in the US Army for nearly four decades. His operational experience included commanding the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq and serving as Director of Operations for Regional Command South in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He retired in January 2018 and subsequently held the Pershing Chair in Strategic Studies at the Center for European Policy Analysis. BOOK Future War and the Defence of Europe (Oxford University Press, 2021)
By John R. Allen, Frederick Ben Hodges and Julian Lindley-French. An examination of Europe’s defence challenges, the future of NATO and the transatlantic relationship, and the ways changing technology is reshaping deterrence and warfare. The authors consider what European states and their allies must do to preserve peace and build credible defence capabilities. Book information — Oxford University Press ABOUT THE HOST Dr John Bruni is the founder and CEO of SAGE International and host of The Focus Podcast. His work examines geopolitics, defence, international security and strategic decision-making. JOIN THE CONVERSATION What would a credible strategy for Ukrainian victory require—and are Western governments prepared to sustain it? Share your thoughts in the comments, subscribe to The Focus Podcast, and share this episode with others interested in the choices shaping European security. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could the November 2026 US midterms reshape Donald Trump’s presidency—and how far would the consequences travel beyond America? Dr John Bruni welcomes Professor Scott Lucas to The Focus for a discussion of the prospect of a Democratic “blue wave”, the pressures facing the Republican Party, and the capacity of America’s institutions to hold presidential power accountable. At the centre of the conversation is a question with global implications: if Trump faces a serious electoral setback, what happens next? The discussion explores Republican loyalty, JD Vance’s political future, election integrity, press freedom and the relationship between domestic political pressure and America’s behaviour abroad. For Australia and other US allies, these questions have direct implications for the reliability of American leadership and the assumptions underpinning their security. Show Notes: ABOUT SCOTT LUCAS Professor Scott Lucas is Professor of International Politics at the Clinton Institute, University College Dublin, and Professor Emeritus of International Politics at the University of Birmingham. He is also the founder and editor of EA WorldView, which provides news and analysis of US politics and international affairs. An academic and journalist, Scott specialises in American politics and foreign policy, media and propaganda, and intelligence services. He brings decades of experience to examining presidential power, the resilience of democratic institutions and the global consequences of political change in Washington. Read Scott’s analysis at EA WorldView. Have your say:
Would a major Republican defeat weaken Trump’s hold on the party? And should Australia be doing more to prepare for uncertainty in Washington? Watch The Focus:
https://www.youtube.com/@thefocus_SAGEIntl Explore SAGE International:
https://sageinternational.com.au Follow The Focus on your preferred podcast platform, leave a review and share this episode.Host: Dr John Bruni
Guest: Professor Scott Lucas
Producers: Neil Smart & Lin Siah
A podcast of SAGE International. Challenge the assumption, test the system, identify the consequence   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can military superiority compensate for bad strategy? In this special episode of The Focus, Dr John Bruni speaks with Sir Lawrence Freedman—one of the world’s foremost authorities on strategy and war—about the strategic failures shaping today’s increasingly interconnected conflicts. Using the Iran War as a starting point, Sir Lawrence explains why strategy remains an art rather than a science, why overwhelming military power cannot guarantee a satisfactory political outcome, and why states must consider how a war will end before they begin it. The conversation examines whether Iran has proved more strategically effective than the United States, the internal struggle over Iranian policy, the independence of the Houthis, and the growing connections between the conflicts involving Iran, Russia and Ukraine. John and Sir Lawrence also discuss: • The difference between military action and political strategy
• Bismarck and Moltke’s disagreement during the Franco-Prussian War 
• Pete Hegseth and the dangers of strategic boasting
• The emerging Adversarial Entente
 • Why the current disorder may benefit China
• Europe’s capacity to defend itself against Russia
 • America’s changing relationship with its allies
• The “hurting stalemate” in Ukraine
• SAGE International’s Threshold Conditioning model
• The danger of escalation and war by miscalculation 
• China’s strategy towards Taiwan
 • How Australia can resist coercion below the threshold of war
 • The most important lesson for the next generation of strategists This is a wide-ranging discussion about the enduring relationship between force, politics and strategic judgement—and what happens when governments possess enormous military power but lack a realistic political end state. ABOUT SIR LAWRENCE FREEDMAN Sir Lawrence Freedman is one of the world’s leading scholars of strategy and war. His influential books include Strategy: A History, Command and The Future of War. His work has shaped contemporary thinking about military power, political decision-making and the changing character of conflict. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia is one of the world’s most ethnically diverse societies—but is it truly multicultural? In Episode 116 of The Focus, Dr John Bruni speaks with Associate Professor Salvatore Babones, political sociologist at the University of Sydney, about immigration, assimilation and what he calls “the multicultural myth.” Babones argues that Australia is a multiracial society held together by a broadly shared national culture—not a collection of separate cultures living under entirely different social rules. He explains why most Australians may be “secret assimilationists,” how the language of multiculturalism can nevertheless serve a valuable social purpose, and why importing historical ethnic conflicts can undermine cohesion. SHOW NOTES & FURTHER READING About Salvatore Babones Associate Professor Salvatore Babones is a political sociologist at the University of Sydney. His research and commentary examine democracy, social cohesion, immigration, education and the political challenges confronting contemporary Western societies. He is the author or editor of numerous books and writes regularly for Australian and international publications. Salvatore Babones — “Monoculturalism Is Not a Dirty Word” The article underpinning Salvatore’s argument that Australia can be a multiracial society while maintaining a shared national culture.
 Dr John Bruni — “The AfD and Meeting Reality”
Related analysis examining Germany’s migration debate, the rise of the AfD and the increasingly contentious concept of remigration. https://jbruni.substack.com/p/when-remigration-meets-reality   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On September 10, 2001, the United States stood at the height of its power. Twenty-five years later, what happened to the American moment? In this special 25th-anniversary episode of The Focus, Dr John Bruni sits down with historian and political scientist Professor Roy Casagranda for a sweeping — and at times fiercely provocative — conversation about America before 9/11, the choices it made afterwards, and the world those decisions helped create. Was the invasion of Iraq the great strategic mistake of the post-9/11 era? Did two decades of war give China the time and strategic space it needed to catch up with the United States? How did Washington’s relationship with Vladimir Putin unravel? And is Donald Trump dismantling the post-9/11 order — or is he ultimately a product of it? From George H. W. Bush and Boris Yeltsin to George W. Bush, Iraq, Afghanistan, Putin, China, Trump, Iran and the remilitarisation of Germany, Casagranda challenges conventional accounts of the last quarter-century of American power. Some of his arguments are deliberately contentious. That is precisely the point of this conversation: challenge the assumption, test the argument, and examine the consequences. Twenty-five years after the attacks that changed America and the world, one question hangs over the entire discussion: DID THE UNITED STATES USE ITS EXTRAORDINARY POWER WISELY AFTER 9/11 — AND IF NOT, CAN IT RECOVER WHAT IT LOST? ABOUT PROFESSOR ROY CASAGRANDA Roy Casagranda is a Professor of Government, political scientist, historian, public lecturer and commentator on Middle Eastern affairs. He is widely known for his interdisciplinary approach, combining history, politics, economics, philosophy and culture to explain contemporary global events. He is also a Golden Narrative Laureate and a regular commentator on international affairs. ROY'S WORK BOOKS • The Blood Throne of Caria• Empire of the Nightingale CURRENT LECTURE SERIES Sessions from the Past — Museum of the Future, Dubai (2025–2026) Including: • The 1000-Year Legacy of Ibn Sina• The Roman Republic• The Great Library of Alexandria• The Reconquista• Modern Ideologies and Political Thought FOLLOW PROFESSOR ROY CASAGRANDA YouTube:Dr. Roy Casagranda YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@DrRoyCasagranda Apple Podcasts:Dr. Roy Casagranda Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/dr-roy-casagranda-podcast/id1837193563 X / Twitter:@RoyCasagranda Facebook:Roy Casagranda Books & Lectureshttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=6157983973489 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if Russia’s most dangerous weapon isn’t the one that starts a war — but the one that keeps us permanently on the edge of one? From drones over European airports and sabotage to cyberattacks, disinformation and military intimidation, Russia is testing NATO below the threshold of open conflict. But how far can Moscow push before someone miscalculates? In this episode of The Focus Podcast, Dr John Bruni speaks with leading German security expert Dr Karl-Heinz Kamp about Russia’s campaign of pressure against Europe, what Moscow is trying to achieve, and whether NATO is genuinely prepared for a confrontation that may never look like conventional war. Show Notes: About Dr Karl-Heinz Kamp: Dr Karl-Heinz Kamp is one of Germany’s leading experts on NATO, European security and nuclear deterrence. A former President of Germany’s Federal Academy for Security Policy and Research Director at the NATO Defense College in Rome, he has also served in senior roles within Germany’s defence establishment and advised NATO on its Strategic Concept. He is currently an Associate Fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), specialising in transatlantic security, NATO and deterrence. Karl-Heinz’s top three publications: Nuclear NATO: How to Make it Credible and Efficient — German Council on Foreign Relations, 2024. A substantial examination of how NATO needs to adapt its nuclear deterrence posture to the changed European security environment.  Nuclear Implications of the Russian-Ukrainian Conflict — NATO Defense College, 2015. An important early analysis of how Russia’s aggression against Ukraine brought nuclear deterrence back to the centre of Euro-Atlantic security.  NATO’s Nuclear Weapons in Europe: Beyond “Yes” or “No” — NATO Defense College, 2010. One of Kamp’s notable earlier studies of NATO nuclear strategy and the future credibility of the Alliance’s deterrent.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India has spent decades pursuing strategic autonomy. But what happens when the world around it begins choosing sides? In this episode of The Focus Podcast, Dr John Bruni is joined by LTGEN (Ret.) Ravi Shankar to examine India's increasingly complex strategic position as instability surrounding Iran reshapes the Middle East and reaches deep into South Asia. At the centre of the discussion is a larger question: Can India preserve strategic autonomy as the international system becomes increasingly organised around competing security relationships and centres of power? Show Notes LTGEN (Ret.) Ravi Shankar brings a distinctly Indian military and strategic perspective to a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. LTGEN (Ret.) Ravi Shankar is a former Director General of Artillery in the Indian Army and a leading commentator on Indian defence, military strategy and regional security. He writes and speaks extensively on India’s strategic challenges, military modernisation, China, Pakistan and the changing character of warfare. 🔗 Contact Shankar, The Gunners Shot YouTube Channel:    / @gunnersshot    Website: https://gunnersshot.com/ LinkedIn:   / palepu-ravi-shankar-08480214 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From pandemics and wars to artificial intelligence, geopolitical rivalry, and presidential candidates, the pace of change has never been faster. Yet governments, businesses and intelligence agencies continue to be caught off guard by events they often should have seen coming. Why? In this episode of The Focus, Dr John Bruni speaks with strategic foresight expert Patti Morrissey about why strategic surprises keep happening, how leaders can better prepare for uncertainty, and why the future isn't something we predict—it's something we prepare for. Show Notes: About PattiPatti Morrissey is the founder & CEO of Global Foresight Strategies. She has deep expertise in providing strategic planning and foresight analysis for government and non-government clients. Patti has 36 years of experience in government, national and international security policy and strategy, working for the Department of Defense, the Department of State, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.   Global Foresight Strategies See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How did Colombia defeat the FARC—and what can other democracies learn from its experience? In Part 2 of my conversation with General Alberto José Mejía Ferrero, former Commander of the Colombian Armed Forces, we continue our examination of counterinsurgency, national resilience and the long campaign that transformed Colombia’s security environment. We begin with Colombia’s enduring urban-rural divide, and the way geography, uneven development and weak state presence helped shape decades of internal conflict. General Mejía then explains how the Colombian state adapted its military, political and institutional approach to weaken and ultimately defeat the FARC as a strategic force. Our discussion also covers: • The historical development of Colombia• The military and political campaign against the FARC• The continuing threat posed by the ELN• Venezuela’s support for armed groups• Security along the Colombia-Venezuela border• Regional security cooperation in Latin America• The credibility of US defence of the Western Hemisphere• The democratisation of drone warfare after Ukraine• How General Mejía would prepare the Colombian military today• America’s difficult relationship with counterinsurgency warfare• The impact of Venezuelan refugees on Colombia This is not simply a discussion about Colombia. It is a wider examination of how democracies confront insurgency, restore state authority and convert battlefield success into lasting strategic outcomes. Show Notes: About General Alberto José Mejía Ferrero is a retired Colombian Army officer who served as Commander of the Colombian Army and later as General Commander of Colombia’s Armed Forces. During his military career, he held senior operational and strategic appointments during Colombia’s campaign against the FARC and other illegal armed groups. Following his retirement from military service, he served as Colombia’s Ambassador to Australia. His career provides a rare perspective on counterinsurgency, military transformation, strategic leadership, civil-military relations and the changing security environment of Latin America. Glossary: ELN (Ejército de Liberación Nacional) in English - the National Liberation Army See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does a democracy defeat one of the world's longest-running insurgencies? For more than fifty years, Colombia fought a brutal conflict against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)—a war fuelled by ideology, narcotics trafficking and some of the most challenging terrain on Earth. Yet against the odds, Colombia changed the strategic balance.I n Part One of this special two-part conversation, Dr John Bruni speaks with General (Ret.) Alberto José Mejía Ferrero, former Commander of the Colombian Army and former General Commander of Colombia's Armed Forces, about the campaign that helped reshape Colombia's modern history.Drawing on more than four decades of military leadership, General Mejía explains what really weakened the FARC, why Plan Colombia became one of the most significant security partnerships of the 21st century, and whether military success alone is enough to secure lasting peace. In this episode, we discuss: • Colombia's decades-long campaign against the FARC 
• The turning points that changed the conflict
 • Plan Colombia and the role of the United States 
• Military leadership and strategic decision-making
• Counterinsurgency lessons for democratic governments
 • Why winning the peace can be harder than winning the war Whether you're interested in military history, counterinsurgency, international security or strategic affairs, this conversation offers rare insights from one of the commanders who helped lead Colombia through one of its defining conflicts. Part Two continues the discussion with Venezuela after Nicolás Maduro, organised crime, armed drones, emerging technologies and the future of security in the Western Hemisphere.If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and share it with colleagues and friends. Your support helps us continue bringing leading strategic thinkers from around the world to The Focus.What do you think is the greatest lesson other democracies can learn from Colombia's experience? Let us know in the comments below. Show Notes: About General Alberto José Mejía Ferrero  General Alberto José Mejía Ferrero is a retired Colombian Army officer who served as Commander of the Colombian Army and later as General Commander of Colombia’s Armed Forces.During his military career, he held senior operational and strategic appointments during Colombia’s campaign against the FARC and other illegal armed groups. Following his retirement from military service, he served as Colombia’s Ambassador to Australia. His career provides a rare perspective on counterinsurgency, military transformation, strategic leadership, civil-military relations and the changing security environment of Latin America.Glossary Operation Sword of Honour (Operación Espada de Honor) was Colombia's national counterinsurgency campaign launched in 2012 under President Juan Manuel Santos. It was designed to intensify military pressure on the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) by concentrating operations against the group's strongest rural strongholds and leadership.Plan Colombia was a joint security, counter-narcotics and institutional reform initiative launched in 1999 by Colombian President Andrés Pastrana in partnership with the United States. The programme formally began in 2000 following approval of substantial U.S. assistance. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, commonly known by its Spanish acronym FARC, was a Marxist-Leninist guerrilla organisation founded in 1964. For more than five decades, the FARC fought the Colombian state through guerrilla warfare, bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and attacks on military and civilian targets. It financed much of its insurgency through narcotics trafficking, extortion, illegal mining and hostage-taking, eventually becoming one of the largest and most powerful armed groups in Latin America. The National Liberation Army, commonly known by its Spanish acronym ELN, is Colombia's oldest active guerrilla organisation. Founded in 1964, it emerged from a blend of Marxist ideology, Cuban revolutionary influence and liberation theology, seeking to overthrow the Colombian state through armed struggle. The Maoist way of war is a revolutionary strategy developed by Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong during the Chinese Civil War. It is based on the principle that a weaker force can defeat a stronger conventional military through a prolonged struggle that combines political mobilisation, guerrilla warfare and, ultimately, conventional military operations. Chapters: 00:00 Cold Open00:33 Introduction02:09 Understanding Colombia's Long War11:07 The Cocaine Economy: Why the War Endured17:00 How Colombia Built a Winning Counterinsurgency18:40 Rebuilding the Colombian Air Force19:20 The Role of the Colombian Marines19:57 The Controversial Crop Spraying Campaign23:57 Discipline, Ethics & Winning Public Trust34:22 Fighting an Enemy Without Rules of War44:13 The Toughest Command Decision59:43 Why Did the FARC Keep Recruiting? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part 2 of this in-depth conversation, Dr John Bruni continues his discussion with economist Dr Jenny Gordon to examine one of the defining questions of the 21st century: who shapes the global economic system in an era of great-power competition, technological disruption and growing public discontent? From the role of governments in setting the rules of the economy to the impact of artificial intelligence, inflation, immigration and the future of work, Dr Gordon offers a thoughtful and evidence-based assessment of the forces reshaping modern economies. The discussion also explores why many people feel economically left behind, whether Modern Monetary Theory can withstand scrutiny, the rise of populism, and how changing media dynamics are influencing public debate. Finally, the conversation turns to the outlook for the United States under President Donald Trump and the broader challenges confronting policymakers in an increasingly uncertain world. Whether you are interested in economics, geopolitics, public policy or Australia's place in the changing international order, this conversation provides valuable insights into the issues likely to shape the decades ahead. Show Notes: About Dr Jenny Gordon Dr Jenny Gordon is an economist, Honorary Professor at the Australian National University, former Chief Economist at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and Non-Resident Fellow at the Lowy Institute. She has held senior positions at the Productivity Commission and has spent her career advising governments on international trade, economic policy, productivity, migration and Australia's engagement with the global economy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Few conflicts have shaped global politics as profoundly—or generated as much division—as the struggle between Israelis and Palestinians. Yet meaningful discussion is often replaced by slogans, outrage, and competing narratives. In this episode of The Focus Podcast, Dr John Bruni is joined by internationally renowned Palestinian journalist, historian, and author Ramzy Baroud for an in-depth discussion that goes beyond the headlines.  Whether you agree with every conclusion or not, this conversation offers historical context, strategic analysis, and a perspective rarely explored in mainstream Western media.If you're looking for a thoughtful, informed discussion rather than another shouting match, this episode is for you. Show Notes About our Guest Ramzy Baroud is a Palestinian-American journalist, historian, internationally syndicated columnist, author, and Editor-in-Chief of The Palestine Chronicle. Born in the Nuseirat Refugee Camp in Gaza, he focuses his work on Palestinian history, international politics, and the lived experience of conflict. He has authored numerous books and writes extensively on Middle Eastern affairs for international publications.  Featured Books 📖 Before the Flood: A Gaza Family Memoir Across Three Generations of Colonial Invasion, Occupation, and War (2026)  📖 These Chains Will Be Broken: Palestinian Stories of Struggle and Defiance in Israeli Prisons (2020) 📖 The Last Earth: A Palestinian Story (2018) Learn More The Palestine Chronicle https://www.palestinechronicle.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Thinking Palestine https://thinkingpalestine.com/   Editor's NoteDuring the discussion (approx. 44:49), Ramzy Baroud refers to an Australian historian who argued that suicide bombings are closely linked to humiliation but could not recall the scholar's name.We were unable to verify the identity of this individual. Readers interested in this area may wish to consult the work of Robert A. Pape, whose research argues that suicide terrorism is closely associated with foreign military occupation, and Evelin Lindner, whose work explores humiliation as a driver of political violence. These scholars represent related, though not identical, schools of thought. Subscribe to The Focus Podcast for informed conversations on geopolitics, defence, security, economics and international affairs. 🌐 SAGE International https://sageinternational.com.au/?utm_source=chatgpt.com   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can Japan become the Indo-Pacific's indispensable strategic power? For decades, Japan has been viewed as an economic powerhouse constrained by its post-war constitution and reliance on the United States for its security. Today, that assumption is being tested. As strategic competition intensifies across the Indo-Pacific, Japan finds itself confronting an increasingly assertive China, a nuclear-armed North Korea, a more closely aligned Russia-China partnership, renewed uncertainty under Donald Trump's second presidency, and growing instability in the Middle East that threatens the energy lifelines upon which the Japanese economy depends.Joining Dr John Bruni on The Focus is one of Australia's foremost experts on Japan and the Indo-Pacific, Emeritus Professor Purnendra C. Jain. Together, they examine how Japan is adapting to one of the most dangerous strategic environments since the Second World War. Topics discussed include: • Is Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi transforming Japan into a more assertive strategic power?
 • Can the US-Japan alliance remain the cornerstone of Indo-Pacific security under Donald Trump?
 • How does Tokyo view China's growing military power and the possibility of conflict over Taiwan? 
• What do North Korea and the emerging Russia-China-DPRK alignment mean for Japanese security?
 • Why does India remain central to Japan's Indo-Pacific strategy? 
• Is the Quad becoming a meaningful strategic partnership—or merely diplomatic theatre? 
• How have the Israel-Iran conflict and the Strait of Hormuz reshaped Japan's thinking about energy security? 
• What does all this mean for Australia and the future balance of power in Asia? As the Indo-Pacific enters a period of profound strategic uncertainty, Japan's decisions may prove decisive—not only for its own future, but for regional stability as a whole. Show Notes About our guest Emeritus Professor Purnendra C. Jain is one of Australia's foremost scholars of Japanese politics, foreign policy and Indo-Pacific strategic affairs. Formerly Professor of Asian Studies at the University of Adelaide, Professor Jain has spent more than three decades researching Japanese politics, India-Japan relations, Australian foreign policy and the evolving strategic architecture of the Indo-Pacific. In 2020 he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon by the Government of Japan in recognition of his outstanding contribution to promoting understanding between Japan and Australia.  Selected Recent Publications 2025 — Japan's Foreign and Security Policy Pivots to Pragmatism Replacing Idealism
Published in the Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs. The article examines how Japanese foreign and security policy has shifted from the idealism of "proactive pacifism" toward a more pragmatic approach shaped by regional strategic realities.  2025 — The Global South and India: Opportunities and Challenges
Published by IDE-JETRO. Professor Jain explores India's growing influence across the Global South and the strategic opportunities and constraints this presents for regional and global politics.  2025 — The Japan-India-Bangladesh Strategic Triangle Unfastened
Published by IDE-JETRO. This study analyses the evolving strategic relationships between Japan, India and Bangladesh within the broader Indo-Pacific geopolitical landscape.  Glossary Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) An informal strategic partnership comprising Australia, India, Japan and the United States. Originally established in 2007 and revitalised in 2017, the Quad promotes a free, open and stable Indo-Pacific through cooperation on maritime security, critical technologies, infrastructure, disaster relief, supply chains and regional resilience. ODA (Official Development Assistance) Government-funded foreign aid provided to support the economic development and welfare of developing countries. Japan has long used ODA as a key instrument of its foreign policy, strengthening diplomatic relationships through infrastructure investment, technical assistance and capacity building across Asia and beyond. LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) Japan's dominant conservative political party. Since its formation in 1955, the LDP has governed Japan for the vast majority of the post-war period and has shaped much of the country's economic, foreign and security policy, including the administrations of Shinzo Abe, Fumio Kishida and Sanae Takaichi. Indo-Pacific A strategic concept describing the interconnected maritime region stretching from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. It recognises the increasing geopolitical, economic and security links between East Asia, South Asia and Oceania. Strait of Hormuz One of the world's most strategically important maritime chokepoints. Roughly one-fifth of globally traded oil passes through the Strait, making it critically important to energy-importing countries such as Japan. Economic Security Policies designed to protect critical industries, supply chains, technology, energy supplies and national resilience from geopolitical coercion or strategic disruption. Collective Self-Defence Japan's reinterpretation of its post-war constitution allows the Japan Self-Defense Forces to assist allies under certain circumstances, even if Japan itself is not directly attacked. Taiwan Contingency A term describing the possibility of military conflict involving Taiwan. Japanese planners increasingly view stability across the Taiwan Strait as directly linked to Japan's own national security. Thank you for listening to The Focus. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with colleagues and friends interested in geopolitics, defence, national security and the evolving strategic landscape of the Indo-Pacific. Host: Dr John Bruni
Founder & CEO, SAGE International
Explaining the forces shaping the world beyond the headlines. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

🌐 The global balance is shifting. For decades, economists claimed trade would keep the peace—but what happens when the world’s two biggest superpowers weaponise trade against each other? 🇺🇸 vs 🇨🇳 Who really holds the power? Has globalisation created an economic ticking time bomb—where neither side can strike without risking total financial meltdown? And what about countries caught in the crossfire—like Australia? Can smaller nations break free, or are they doomed to become pawns in the ultimate power struggle between Washington and Beijing? These are the questions that will define our future. They will decide who thrives, who survives, and who gets left behind. Get ready for an epic discussion with Dr Jenny Gordon—economist, global strategist, and former Chief Economist at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In Part 1 of this explosive two-part series, we dive into the economic question of the century:Can the world stay connected—or are we headed for a new era of economic warfare? Hit play and join the debate now! 🔥 About Dr Jenny Gordon Dr Jenny Gordon is an economist specialising in international trade, economic development, public policy and the intersection between economics and strategic affairs. She is an Honorary Professor at the Australian National University, a Non-Resident Fellow at the Lowy Institute, and formerly served as Chief Economist at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Over a distinguished career spanning academia, government and public policy, Dr Gordon has worked extensively on trade liberalisation, economic reform, productivity, migration, climate policy, regional economic integration and Australia’s engagement with Asia. Before DFAT, she held senior positions at the Australian Productivity Commission, where she contributed to some of Australia’s most influential economic policy research. Her work focuses on helping governments navigate complex economic challenges in an era increasingly shaped by geopolitical competition, technological disruption and shifting patterns of globalisation. Selected Publications and Major Works Books and Edited Volumes Contemporary China: A New Superpower? (co-editor, with Ligang Song)Rising China: Global Challenges and Opportunities (contributor)China’s Domestic Transformation in a Global Context (contributor) ⸻ Major Reports and Research Australian Foreign Policy and Trade Australia’s Engagement with the World: The Role of Trade and Economic DiplomacyAustralia and the Changing Global Trading SystemThe Future of Globalisation: Implications for AustraliaTrade, Technology and Strategic Competition See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Britain’s Defence Secretary has resigned. NATO is transforming. Europe is rearming.So is Britain 🇬🇧 still a serious power? Against this backdrop, the recent resignation of Defence Secretary John Healey over the Defence Investment Plan has reignited debate over whether Britain is matching its ambitions with the resources needed to achieve them.  Show notes: Professor Julian Lindley-French is one of Europe’s leading strategic thinkers and defence analysts. He is the founder of The Alphen Group, a Distinguished Fellow at the Europe Center of the Atlantic Council, a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Statecraft, and a strategic adviser to governments, military institutions, and international organisations. A prolific author and commentator on NATO, European security, transatlantic relations, and defence policy, Professor Lindley-French is widely recognised for his expertise on the future of Western security and the evolving global strategic environment. Selected Publications: Future War and the Defence of Europe; The North Atlantic Treaty Organization: The Enduring Alliance; Little Britain? Twenty-First Century Strategy for a Middling European Power; The New Geopolitics of Terror; The Oxford Handbook of War; and, most recently, The Retreat from Strategy: Britain’s Dangerous Confusion of Interests with Values.  Julian’s article Critical Defence Theory - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/critical-defence-theory-professor-dr-julian-lindley-french-urjde/  UK Defence Secretary John Healey resigned on 11 June 2026, warning that Britain’s Defence Investment Plan lacked the funding needed to meet growing threats from Russia, the Middle East, and wider global instability.  UK Strategic Defence Review - The UK’s 2025 Strategic Defence Review is the most ambitious defence overhaul in a generation, committing Britain to a “NATO First” strategy and a return to warfighting readiness” in response to what it describes as a new era of global threats. The Defence Investment Plan - This is the financial blueprint intended to turn Britain’s Strategic Defence Review from strategy into capability over the next decade. Overton Window - The Overton Window describes the boundaries of acceptable political debate. Successful politicians often don’t change public opinion directly—they shift the window of what the public considers possible. Mixed Economy - A mixed economy combines free markets with government intervention in key sectors such as healthcare, infrastructure, education, and national security. By contrast, neoliberalism generally favours lower regulation, privatisation, free trade, and a reduced role for the state in economic activity. Telstra Sale - In the 1997-98 financial year, shortly after the first share sale, Telstra recorded revenue of AUD17.3 bilion & after tax profits of more than AUD 3 billion. Before its sale, Telstra was a government entity. Qantas - At the time of sale, Qantas had an operational profit of AUD 250 million. It had debt based on the fact that airlines require expensive aircraft, complex logistics, maintenance regimes and infrastructure. But it was operating profitably under government ownership. In March 2025 - The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) sent a small naval task force to the Tasman Sea and conducted live fire exercises, forcing trans-Tasman airlines to re-route. It then went on to circumnavigate Australia. This deployment demonstrated the PLAN’s capability to conduct long-range operations. Structurally - The People’s Liberation Army, while improving its external war-fighting capabilities, has its primary mission as regime survival - the defence of the CCP. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.