Roundtable on Western strategies in the Pacific islands

/in ,

On Tuesday, 3 October, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s DC office hosted an invitation-only, closed-door roundtable with Dr Anna Powles from Massey University and ASPI Senior Fellow Jose Sousa-Santos.

Our guests offered insights following the second U.S.-Pacific Island Forum Leader’s Summit. They discussed security trends in the Pacific region, including how Australia, the US can work with partners to counter Chinese influence, advance common interests, and support the human security efforts of Pacific island states.

Participants included representatives from the US Government, think tanks, and commercial actors.

Congressional Staff Program on Australia

/in ,

From 3 October through until 3 November 2023, ASPI DC partnered with the East-West Center to deliver a bipartisan educational certificate program for congressional staffers, with a focus on Australia in the Indo-Pacific, and how it relates to the Australia-US bilateral alliance.

The series took place over six sessions, with a reception hosted at the Australian Embassy to formally close the program.

Session 1: Australia & its place in the world

Session 2: The evolution of the US-Australia Alliance and relationship

Session 3: The return of great power competition: China’s influence on regional dynamics in the Indo-Pacific

Session 4: US-Australia regional security and trade engagement

Session 5: US-Australia engagement with Asia & the rise of minilateralism in the region

Session 6: US-Australia engagement in the Pacific islands

The program included participation from senior individuals from across the Australian government, defense, industry and academia to provide informed and expert perspectives for the congressional staffers engaged in the program.

Bronte Munro interviewed by Richard Aedy at the ABC about the opportunities and challenges of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and their potential impact on the global financial system.

/in ,

Australia is ahead of a lot of nations when it comes to trialling the potential of digital money. Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC’s) could change the global financial landscape and the RBA is trying to ensure they work well for Australia.

Report: Australian CBDC Pilot for Digital Finance Innovation.

Inaugural Beaten Zone Pitch Fest, August 2023

/in ,

The inaugural Beaten Zone Pitch Fest convened in August in Perth, WA sought to back 16 early-stage sovereign Australian teams creating the next generation of novel Robotic and Counter-Robotic systems for the warfighter. Each participant delivered a 5-minute pitch to a panel of five judges and afterwards engaged in a short Q&A defending the merits of the technological innovation.

The right to negotiate for up to $500,000 investment on offer for the winning pitch was jointly awarded after a split-decision. Those two teams were, Outlook Industries and Tekuma, led by Luke Townsend and Annette McClelland respectively, with Tekuma also winning the Crowd Favourite pitch prize. Outlook Industries and Tekuma will now enter into formal negotiations with Beaten Zone.

Pelos Group, a company developing a revolutionary new Wireless Power Distribution System that will transmit safe, clean, and persistent power on the battlefield and led by Cos Luccitti, came away as the runner-up with two tickets to SOFWEEK 2024. 

The successful initiative will return next year to support a new generation of entrepreneurs focused on systems that will give the ADF a tactical edge!

The event was attended by ASPI Defence, Strategy and National Security’s Director, Bec Shrimpton, and Research Intern, Marcus Schultz.

Defence Force is receiving less ‘core funding’, new budget analysis suggests

/in ,

ASPI’s Jennifer Parker describes key findings of the latest ASPI Defence Budget Brief to the ABC News. 

Presenting Critical Technology Tracker at Raisina Dialogue 2023

/in

Raisina Dialogue 2023 | The Critical Technologies Tracker: The Global Race For Future Power

Danielle Cave
Director – Executive, Strategy and Research, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Australia
 
Jamie Gaida
Senior Analyst, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Australia
Moderator

Justin Bassi
Executive Director, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Australia


About Raisina Dialogue:
The Raisina Dialogue is India’s premier conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the global community. Every year, leaders in politics, business, media, and civil society converge in New Delhi to discuss the state of the world and explore opportunities for cooperation on a wide range of contemporary matters. The Dialogue is structured as a multi-stakeholder, cross-sectoral discussion, involving heads of state, cabinet ministers, and local government officials, who are joined by thought leaders from the private sector, media, and academia.

The conference is hosted by the Observer Research Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. This effort is supported by a number of institutions, organisations and individuals, who are committed to the mission of the conference.

Raisina Dialogue 2023 Full Playlist

Ukraine claims to have shot down Russian hypersonic missiles

/in ,

ASPI’s Jennifer Parker on ABC News Radio: To the war in Ukraine now, where Kyiv says its shot down six of Russia’s highly feared hypersonic missiles. Moscow has boasted its, so-called ‘Khinzhal’ or ‘dagger’ missiles are all-but-unstoppable.

Listen here: https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/worldtoday/ukraine-claims-to-have-shot-down-russian-hypersonic-missiles/102357056

Featured:

Jennifer Parker, Deputy Director of Defense within the Defense Strategy and National Security branch at Australian Strategic Policy Institute

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President 

Igor Konashenkov, Russian Defence ministry spokesman 

ASPI DC hosts quantum computing dialogue series with PsiQuantum

/in ,

On March 1st and May 5th, ASPI DC partnered with PsiQuantum to host ‘The State and Future of Quantum Computing’ dialogue series. The ‘closed door’ sessions were attended by senior members from across the US and Australian government and department of defense, industry representatives, venture capital, and academia.

Discussion centered around the themes of quantum computing in the context of AUKUS and global security, and underwiring dual use industries of the future in the context of quantum computing, semiconductors and advanced material.

Attendees identified opportunities for partnership and collaboration between participants, and Australia and the US more broadly in pursuit of shared strategic and technology goals.

ASPI DC Roundtable on Chinese online information strategy

/in ,

On May 5th, ASPI DC hosted a roundtable, chaired by Vicky Xu, on Chinese online information strategy. The event was attended by US government officials, think tanks and media, and spurred discussion about CCP information warfare and strategies, and contributed to broadening awareness of common tactics and techniques used against individuals.

ASPI DC hosts visit from Speaker of Assembly of Tonga, Lord Fakafānua

/in ,

On 12th April, ASPI DC hosted a visit with the Speaker of Assembly of Tonga, Lord Fakafānua, retired Ambassador Steven McGann and Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Cleo Paskal. During the visit Australia’s strong relationship with Tonga and diplomatic relations in the Pacific were discussed, as well as a shared love for sports diplomacy!