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.
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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.
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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!
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On 02 July 2024, ASPI DC hosted a State-Sponsored IP Theft roundtable with Deputy Director Bart Hogeveen and Senior Analyst Gatra Priyandita for ASPI’s Cyber, Technology, and Security Program.
The theft of intellectual property brings together the areas of national, cyber, and economic security. Targets include advanced economies, emerging economies, innovation hubs, and private companies intending to harvest sensitive information and trade secrets for domestic commercial use. These targets remain vulnerable due to a lack of awareness and policy protections, which makes it clear that not enough is being done and that current instruments of defense, protection, and deterrence are inadequate.
Deputy Director Hogeveen and Senior Analyst Dr. Priyandita shared their insights on a two-year project to strengthen the defense of emerging economies against the threat of state-sponsored and cyber-enabled IP theft. They also led discussions on the observed practices and perceptions in Southeast, South, and Latin America regarding China’s track record of state-sponsored IP theft campaigns and utilization of the thousand-talent program to insert Chinese intelligence collectors into corporate and government entities.
We thank Mr. Hogeveen and Dr. Priyandita for joining ASPI DC for the State-Sponsored IP Theft roundtable and for their dedication to Australia’s engagements on cyber and technology issues to ensure international peace and security.
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Thank you to all who attended ASPI DC’s fifth installment of Policy in the Pub at Dauphine’s DC in Midtown Center, located in the heart of downtown Washington, mere blocks from the White House.
On 27 June, friends of ASPI—including distinguished academics, experts, and private sector professionals—discussed strategies to advance the collective interests of Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom in defense technologies and cyber security over Dauphine’s famous seasonal spritzes. Guest spoke to their anticipation for future ASPI DC events, such as the forthcoming Climate Resilience and Investment in the Pacific Islands roundtable and the 2024 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony watch party.
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On 25 June, ASPI DC and East-West Center coordinated and moderated a “United States-Australia and Southeast Asia Workshop” in Manila, Philippines. Seven leading experts on Southeast Asia engaged in invigorating discussions on Southeast Asia and the United States-Australia alliance, foreign policy, and security in the region.
This workshop is a part of a greater project with the East-West Center under the Research Innovation & Collaboration Exchange (RICE) initiative, focused on the Southeast Asian Perspectives of the United States-Australia alliance. Stay tuned for more on this project!
Co-hosted by ASPI, CNAS, and RUSI, the third annual AUKUS Trilateral Dialogue took place on 20 and 21 June in Washington, DC. The two-day event brought together representatives from public office, academia, think tanks, and private industry across all three partner countries to discuss the progression, regional reactions, and broader strategic implications of AUKUS Pillars I and II. The dialogue produced robust conversation on key questions, for example, how Pillar II can generate deterrent effects as well as mobilize private capital for national security purposes, how to address workforce and industrial capacity opportunities and challenges, and what is on the horizon for the legislative agenda.
On the evening of 20 June, as part of the TriLateral, ASPI partnered with the Embassy of Australia in Washington to host a reception. Guests engaged in fruitful chatter while enjoying hors d’oeuvres, Australian wine, and the signature drink of the night, the world’s first ‘TriLatini,’ a true celebration in full spirit of the AUKUS partnership. During the second day of the conference, Dr. Nishank Motwani, ASPI DC Senior Analyst, moderated “AUKUS: Taking Stock and Looking Forward”, a public discussion with Senator Tim Kaine, United States Senator, D-VA; Dr. Philip Shetler-Jones, RUSI Senior Research Fellow, Indo-Pacific Security; Madeline Mortelmans, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategies, Plans and Capabilities; Paul Myler, Deputy Head of Mission for the Embassy of Australia, Washington DC; Matthew D. Steinhelfer, AUKUS Senior Advisor, U.S. Department of State; and Dr. Trevor Taylor, Director of the Defence, Industries and Society Programme.
Stay tuned for a more in-depth analysis of some of the key takeaways from the forum.
On 3 May, ASPI DC organized and moderated a Private Investment in Pacific Island States roundtable featuring 10 Pacific island states’ Heads of Mission and more than a dozen representatives from the US investment and private philanthropy sectors.
The conversation—part of the annual Pacific Heads of Mission Conference hosted by the Australian and New Zealand embassies in DC—explored opportunities in critical sectors such as infrastructure, telecommunications, healthcare, and natural resources; and participants discussed innovative financing models, partnership frameworks, and policy intervention prospects for private investment to facilitate sustainable, secure development.
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On 30 May, ASPI DC hosted a productive roundtable discussion on the 2024 Australian Defense Integrated Investment Program (IIP). The event brought together perspectives from both the private and public sectors, aiming to gather critical feedback from the investment community to ensure effective implementation of the program.
The discussion focused on several key areas, including investments in AUKUS Pillar 2 technologies, the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA), infrastructure development, human capital flow, and incentives for Australian companies.
By engaging directly with the investment community, ASPI DC aims to refine and enhance the strategies within the IIP, ensuring the program’s effectiveness and alignment with investor expectations and market realities.
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Thank you to everyone who joined ASPI DC for the fourth installment of Policy in the Pub at The Fox and Hounds Lounge in the vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood.
On May 30, following a roundtable discussion on Australia’s 2024 Defense Integrated Investment Program, distinguished experts from various fields continued their conversations over cocktails and pints—for example, exploring strategies to advance the incubation and integration of defense technologies within the Australian market.
We look forward to seeing familiar and new faces at the next iteration!
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