US and Australian Women and Space Event with AWDC

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On the evening of November 14th, ASPI DC and Australian Women in DC (AWDC) were thrilled to host a lively event on US and Australian Women and Space: New Frontiers for Business and Government.

At a time when most everyone in DC, and beyond, is consuming a diet of election outcomes and political appointments, it was great to step back and discuss the importance of space as a domain for innovation and development in defense, science, and communications.

A big thank you to Paula Trimble, US Space Force Space Development Agency; Jeremy Hallett, Space Industry Association of Australia; and Lisa Wood, BAE Systems, Inc. for generously sharing their time, expertise, and advice on what makes a great mentor and exciting career. Thanks also to our moderator Nerida King of ASPI DC and AWDC who drew these connections together.

Some key takeaways that resonated with our audience as they chatted over Australian wine and seasonal food:

  • The US must collaborate with its allies and partners on space. It is impossible for any one company or business to keep up with technological change required.
  • Space development is integral on the world stage—from responding to global challenges like great power competition, communications failures, climate change and natural disasters—down to the personal level, like navigating oneself with GPS.
  • President-elect Trump’s role in establishing the US Space Force in 2019 and close connection with Space X entrepreneur Elon Musk ensures the sector will continue to attract interest in the US.

Thanks to everyone who joined and made it such a successful (and topical) event!

Independent Review of National Natural Disaster Governance Arrangements

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Australia’s national disaster governance arrangements need major changes to grapple with the increasing size, intensity, cost and complexity of climate-fuelled natural disasters.

These findings were arrived at by the Independent Review of National Natural Disaster Governance Arrangements, led by Dr Robert Glasser (ASPI Senior Fellow, Climate and Security Policy Centre).

The Review, which the Government released publicly last Friday, was commissioned in 2023 by the National Emergency Management Ministers’ Meeting, a Ministerial Council reporting to the National Cabinet.

“ Climate change makes it fundamentally necessary to discard the notion that national-scale natural disasters happen only infrequently; they will rapidly become annual occurrences, with less and less “down time” for first responders to recover, relief supplies and emergency equipment to be replenished, infrastructure to be re-built, and for communities to re-establish their resilience .” the report noted.

“ The litmus test of the effectiveness of Australia’s emergency management planning, investments, capacities, and governance arrangements, at every jurisdictional level across Australia, should be the extent to which we are mitigating the risks of intensifying, increasingly national-scale, year-round hazards, in which emergency preparedness, response, relief, and recovery will be required simultaneously. ”

The overarching conclusion in the Review is that the governance arrangements do not adequately address this emerging environment. This is reflected in a variety of ways described in the report:

  • Siloed approaches to address risks and threats that should be integrated;
  • Agendas and discussions in governance meetings focused on immediate challenges, to the detriment of emerging, more fundamental, and therefore more urgent, challenges;
  • Underinvestment in risk reduction and resilience;
  • Insufficient consideration of the sweeping changes and innovations required to address the emerging risks.

The findings emerged from extensive consultations with dozens of experts and decision-makers in the private sector, foundations, civil society, and the hazards research community – as well as Ministers, senior officials, Commissioners, and Chief Officers from Commonwealth, State, and Territorial Governments.

“ The climate is continuing to warm rapidly. We are now entering uncharted waters, where our historical experience in a broad array of areas, including our experience of disasters, is no longer a reliable guide for what lies ahead. This has enormous consequences for how we prepare for these extreme events and for how we structure and manage our national governance arrangements ,” the report states.

Click here to read the Review.

Nerida King Joins ASPI DC as Resident Senior Fellow

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We e are excited to announce the addition of Nerida King as Resident Senior Fellow to the ASPI DC team!

With more than 20 years’ experience in policy, security and intelligence roles in the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including postings to the U.S., China and the Soloman Islands, Nerida comes to ASPI with expertise in national security, foreign policy, US-China and the Indo-Pacific, AUKUS, US Congress, maritime security and deterrence and foreign influence.

Most recently, Nerida was Deputy Chief Congressional at the Australian Embassy in Washington DC, where she led congressional engagement on cross-portfolio China issues and on AUKUS, including the passage of AUKUS enabling legislation in December 2023.

Welcome, Nerida!

Submission to the Senate Inquiry on right wing extremism

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This submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee inquiry into right wing extremist movements in Australia reflects the opinions of the four authors. It was originally submitted to the Committee in April 2024. The authors gave further evidence to the Parliamentary Committee on 24th July 2024.

The Submission makes 5 recommendations to the Committee:

  1. Terminology: Government and policymakers should shift from “right-wing extremism” to more specific terms such as “ideologically motivated violent extremism” (IMVE), “issue-based grievances” or group specific language (e.g. ‘neo-Nazi’, ‘violent misogynists’) to better reflect the difference in radicalisation motivations and avoid politicisation.
  2. Clarification: Government and policymakers should emphasise the distinction between extremism, violent extremism and terrorism, highlighting that only violent extremism and terrorism are criminal or national security issues.
  3. Freedom of Expression: Government and policymakers should recognise that freedom of speech and respectful engagement are vital for national resilience, and avoid criminalising extremist views that don’t involve violence.
  4. Zero-Tolerance for Criminality: Government and policymakers should maintain a zero-tolerance policy for criminal actions related to extremism, including hate speech and violence.
  5. Non-Law Enforcement Policies: Government and policymakers should increase funding for community programs promoting civic engagement and social cohesion through initiatives like the Community Engagement Resilience Grant.

The submission also discusses relevant topics to the inquiry such as: the nature and extent of movements and persons holding extremist right-wing views in Australia; young people and radicalisation; measures to counter violent extremism in Australia focusing on young people; and maintaining an apolitical approach.

The submission concludes that Australia’s approach to right wing extremism should create a balance between security and freedom, and promote respectful debate while simultaneously addressing harmful extremism. Policies should be comprehensive and adapt to the ongoing situation, prioritising the protection of democratic values and maintaining social cohesion.

Roundtable on Climate Resiliency and Investment in the Pacific Islands

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On 29 July, ASPI DC was thrilled to host a roundtable discussion on Climate Resiliency and Investment in the Pacific Islands, which brought together government officials across a variety of agencies and departments, members of the think tank community, diplomats from Indo-Pacific countries, Congressional staffers, and experts in climate adaptation and development finance to consider the challenges and opportunities for climate mitigation and adaption in the Pacific Islands.

Following the viewing of an informational video from ASPI’s Head of Climate and Security Policy Centre, Michael Copage, ASPI DC’s Tasfia Zeba and Morgan Chen led the event, which solicited crucial insights regarding the need for greater cooperation among development finance organizations and nations, the importance of strategic messaging for target audiences, and the necessity of implementing a dynamic, bottom-up approach that considers regional perspectives and emboldens climate-affected communities in the solution calculus.

This topic is highly important to us, and we look forward to propelling the discussion further.

July Policy in the Pub

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On 26 July, ASPI DC hosted a lively iteration of Policy in the Pub in conjunction with the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games. Friends across think tanks, business, and government came together at the Fox and Hounds lounge in Dupont Circle to cheer on Team Australia, watching the athletes parade down the Seine in green blazers. Australians and Americans at the event partook in playful banter over who would solicit more medals in key events: swimming, rugby, and soccer, in particular. We would like to thank all attendees who continue to make Policy in the Pub an exciting opportunity to carve out the Australian perspective in the American landscape.

ASPI co-hosts Australia-ROK Critical Tech Track 1.5 in Seoul

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On July 9, 2024, ASPI co-hosted the Australia-Republic of Korea Critical Technologies Track 1.5 Dialogue in Seoul with the Science & Technology Policy Institute (STEPI).

The Track 1.5 brought together Australian and Korean government, industry and research stakeholders for a dialogue about the role of critical technologies such as biotechnology, AI, quantum and space technologies for regional stability. The discussions focused on how Australia and the Republic of Korea can deepen cooperation on critical technologies, the role of broader regional engagement on technologies through multilateral bodies and how to prioritise which technologies are the most critical areas for cooperation.

The insights from the Track 1.5 will inform an upcoming ASPI report to be co-authored by ASPI’s Afeeya Akhand and Atitaya (Angie) Suriyasenee and will be launched by ASPI’s Executive Director, Mr Justin Bassi, in Canberra in November 2024. The Track 1.5 and report has been generously funded by the Korea Foundation.

Roundtable Discussion with Peter Dutton and James Patterson

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ASPI DC hosted Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Senator James Patterson for a roundtable discussion at our Washington office on 12 July.

The event brought together US government officials, national security investors, think tank experts, and industry leaders to discuss crucial topics such as economic security, emerging technologies, strategic competition with China, and the significance of the US-Australian alliance.

The roundtable fostered a productive dialogue on the importance of strengthening and maintaining robust US-Australian partnerships, thereby emphasizing shared strategic interests. Attendees expressed praise for the event and enthusiasm for continuing these vital discussions in the future.

Visit to Congressman Dunn’s Office on the Capitol Hill

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On 09 July, ASPI DC visited Capitol Hill to meet with Congressman Neal Dunn (FL-2) to discuss ASPI DC’s work and the growing threat posed by China.

Representative Dunn, who serves on the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, expressed his concerns about the CCP’s aggression in the South China Sea and the Pacific, as well as Chinese infrastructure projects in Africa and around the world. The discussion also highlighted the AUKUS partnership and the importance of Australian-American relations.

A large portion of the discussion focused on how Representative Dunn communicates these issues to his constituents in Florida, who are geographically distant from these geopolitical events. He emphasized the impact on global supply chains and the direct implications for everyday American lives. This meeting underscored the importance of collaboration and dialogue in addressing these critical challenges.

Women in National Security Roundtable

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The ASPI DC team was thrilled to host a roundtable discussion on advancing women in national security, moving from rhetoric to action, on 08 July 2024. 

Facilitated by Gai Brodtmann, ASPI Council Chair, and Marika Vigo, ASPI DC Events and Communications Manager, the event focused on key challenges and opportunities for women in the peace and national security space, such as overcoming data biases against women by increasing data transparency and accountability; breaking down barriers to entry and success for women in the space; amplifying female voices beyond tokenism to real integration into national security discourse; and collaborating across institutions, industries, and mediums to implement inclusivity and affect change within the landscape.

The roundtable solicited candid conversation on the need for better data collection around women in the industry, perhaps through a centralized mechanism or pool of talent; the opportunity from the QUAD and AUKUS for virtual mentoring to empower the next generation of female national security leaders; and the importance of overcoming systemic obstacles against women in the space (e.g., male-centric networks, gendered lexicon, invitations to moderate rather than speak on panels).

We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the representatives from academia, industry, think tanks, and government who participated in the dialogue and look forward to continuing it further!