ASPI’s The Sydney Dialogue – announcing new speakers!

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ASPI  is delighted to announce that the following experts will join the speaker line up at The Sydney Dialogue, the premier Indo-Pacific policy summit for critical, emerging and cyber technologies, on 2-3 September 2024:

  • Dr Renato U. Solidum, Jr, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Republic of the Philippines
  • Lt Gen (Retd) Rajesh Pant, Chairman, India Future Foundation and India’s former National Cyber Security Coordinator
  • Dr Soichi Noguchi, Executive Chief Fellow, Institute for International Socio-Economic Studies
  • Damar Juniarto, Co-founder and Advisor at the Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet)
  • Jason Healey, Senior Research Scholar, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University

They join other previously announced speakers including, the Hon Tim Watts MP, Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, David van Weel, NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Innovation, Hybrid and Cyber, Urvashi Aneja, Founder and Executive Director of Digital Futures Lab and Shigeru Kitamura, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kitamura Economic Security Inc.

This Sydney Dialogue is the only international forum that brings together the top thinkers and decision-makers from government, industry and civil society to explore the trends dominating international technology, national security and geopolitics.

This year’s event will discuss the technologies that are disrupting workforces, upending economic and strategic power, splintering supply chains and transforming militaries. We will tackle the increasingly sophisticated nature of cybercrime, online disinformation, hybrid warfare and electoral interference – risks to our societies that now benefit from the use of AI technologies. We will also address how technologies, when managed in partnership, could accelerate climate security and green energy transitions.

For more information on The Sydney Dialogue, including to view the program or new speaker announcements, visit tsd.aspi.org.au. You can also register your interest in attending the event here.

AUKUS as an Avenue for Tech Diplomacy

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On 7 May, ASPI DC’s program lead for Defense Industrial Base, Trade, Technology, and Innovation, Bronte Munro, led a conversation on AUKUS and tech diplomacy with Partner and Chair of The Asia Group’s Australia Practice, the Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO, Partner and Lead of the Europe and Eurasia practice at Denton’s Global Advisor’s, Albright Stonebridge Group, Ambassador (ret.) Philip T. Reeker, and Minister Defence (Director USA) at the British Embassy in Washington DC, Mark Newton.

The conversation, which took place at the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) AI Expo for National Competitiveness and alongside the Ash Carter Exchange, focused on AUKUS as an avenue for tech diplomacy. Tech diplomacy is the practice of collaborating across sectors and across countries to shape the role of technology in our lives and in our world. It is where the fields of business, technology and foreign policy intersect to effectively shape how technology is used.

Panellists highlighted how the industry- government collaboration that AUKUS requires offers not only a robust means for likeminded partners to accelerate innovation in emerging technologies to counter China’s technological advancements, but to ensure unified leadership in standards setting and best practice.

They also underscored the importance of understanding that securing high-tech involves not only being the leaders in its development, but in its commercialisation and the establishment of the rules and norms that govern its use cases. Tech diplomacy is key to building an ecosystem that supports commercialisation, builds trust in technology and protects national security interests. Critically, it requires collaboration between likeminded partners, such as Australia, the US and the UK.

First speakers announced for ASPI’s Sydney Dialogue on 2-3 September

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The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) is pleased to announce the first speakers for the third Sydney Dialogue for critical, emerging and cyber technologies on 2-3 September 2024.

This year’s event builds on the strong lineup of speakers at the previous two dialogues and will include:

  • The Hon Tim Watts MP, Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs
  • David van Weel, Assistant Secretary General for Innovation, Hybrid and Cyber, NATO
  • Urvashi Aneja, Founder and Executive Director, Digital Futures Lab
  • Shigeru Kitamura, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kitamura Economic Security Inc.

Other leaders, innovators and top thinkers from across governments, industry and civil society will be announced in the lead-up to the event.

Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Tim Watts MP, said: “Building resilience to cyber threats is an urgent, global priority – both at home and in our region. Over the last two years, we’ve seen a series of significant cyber incidents across Australia and the region that have had major impacts on governments, economies and communities.

“Australia aims to foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, and resilience among its government, industry, academia and civil society partners. We must work in tandem with the region to build capacity and long-term resilience to cyber security threats.”

President and Chief Executive Officer of Kitamura Economic Security Inc, Shigeru Kitamura, said: “The world is experiencing a fundamental shift in the development and application of advanced technologies. Harnessing the potential of these technologies for collective economic prosperity and national security, while mitigating the risks, relies on frank and forward-looking discussion and debate.

“The Sydney Dialogue provides an excellent platform for this debate. I look forward to contributing to these important discussions in Sydney in September.”

David van Weel, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Innovation, Hybrid and Cyber, said: “Cyberspace is unique in its complexity and constant competition. Emerging disruptive technologies, such as AI and quantum computing, shape cyber defence. Individually, these technologies can have a significant impact on cyber defence. Combined they offer extraordinary potential to transform cyberspace.

“I look forward to discussing at the Sydney Dialogue how NATO harnesses these new technologies and leverages the nexus between cyber and emerging tech in a way that contributes to a stronger and more resilient Alliance and increased security for all.”

The Sydney Dialogue will forecast the technologies of the next decade that will change our societies, economies and national security. It will promote diverse views that stimulate real conversations about the best ways to seize opportunities and minimise risks.

Topics for discussion at this year’s event will include AI, the future technology landscape, digital connectivity, hybrid threats, cybersecurity, disinformation, future warfare, technology and intelligence, climate security and green tech, national resilience and more.

TSD 2024 will be held in person and will feature a mix of keynote addresses, conversation sessions, panel discussions, presentations, closed door meetings and media engagements.

For more information on the Sydney Dialogue, including to view the current program, visit tsd.aspi.org.au.

May Policy in the Pub

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Thank you to those who joined ASPI DC for the third installment of Policy in the Pub at The Crown & Crow in the popular Logan Circle neighborhood.

On the 2nd of May, attendees hailing from all corners of Washington came together to discuss policy over a pint.

The event merged the perspectives of Australian and American government representatives, think tank experts, fellows, and academics on a variety of topics—for example, how the commercial, governmental, and research sectors of aerospace can better collaborate to achieve common goals.

ASPI DC partners with Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy on Tech Diplomacy Academy

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ASPI DC is proud to be an official launch partner of the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy’s Tech Diplomacy Academy. The non-profit Tech Diplomacy Academy is the world’s first and only online education platform for learning about the intersection of emerging technology, business and foreign policy.

The Tech Diplomacy Academy offers short, one-hour, online, on-demand courses led by acclaimed technology experts, domestic and foreign policy practitioners, and multi-sector industry leaders.

ASPI DC Director Adam Leslie says, “Tech diplomacy is increasingly vital in bridging the gap between technological advancement and international relations. Challenging technology leaps in AI, cybersecurity, and data privacy, require global management.”

“The Krach Institute’s Tech Diplomacy Academy will play an important role in fostering coordinated and equitable tech policies, enhancing global stability and fostering international innovation partnerships.”

Learn more about the world first Tech Diplomacy Academy here.

ASPI’s Bec Shrimpton testifies before the USCC

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On 21 March, ASPI’s Director of Defence Strategy and National Security, Rebecca Shrimpton, testified for the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission’s (USCC) hearing on ‘China’s Evolving Counter Intervention Capabilities and Implications for the United States and Indo-Pacific Allies and Partner’.

The testimony examined the challenges posed by China’s rise and the impact on Australia and the Indo-Pacific region. It also reiterated the need for Western strategists to develop a better understanding of Chinese strategic thinking to effectively counter China. During the testimony, Ms Shrimpton highlighted the concept of “active defence”, which she argued demonstrated that China’s national security strategy extends to pre-emptive offensive operations including the grey zone phase.

With this understanding in mind, the testimony explored China’s military modernisation with respect to its naval, air and space forces. Through PLA activities such as the creation of forward bases in the South China Sea and provision of policing capabilities to Pacific Island countries, China has significantly increased its footprint within the Indo-Pacific region. Outside of the military domain, China has also used political interference and economic coercion to increase its influence in Australia.

As made clear in the 2023 Australian Defence Strategic Review and the 2020 Defence Strategic Update, the challenges posed by China in the Indo-Pacific region show that Australia no longer has ten years, or necessarily any, strategic warning time in the event of a major power conflict. In this context, Ms Shrimpton recommended Australia boost its integrated deterrence and increase burden sharing with its ally, the United States. The importance of cooperating with likeminded partners through minilateral formats such as AUKUS, the Australia-US-Japan trilateral and the Quad was also explored.

The full transcript can be accessed here.

Chief of Army Roundtable

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On 13 March, ASPI DC welcomed Australian Army Chief Lt. General Simon Stuart, AO, DSC for a roundtable discussion moderated by Senior Analyst Dr Nishank Motwani at the Australian Embassy in Washington, DC.

The discussion explored the changing deterrence dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.

CSIS Panel: AUKUS and the Defense Industrial Base

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On 12 April, ASPI DC Senior Analyst Dr Nishank Motwani joined the opening panel at Yale’s inaugural GeoTech Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

The session focused on AI, deterrence, and technology within the framework of AUKUS and featured CSIS Senior Fellow and Australia Chair Dr Charles Edel; Laura Farhall, Minister-Counsellor for Defence Acquisition and Technology; and Retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery, Senior Director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

CSIS Panel: Achieving the Quad’s Tech Potential and Strengthening Connectivity in the Indo-Pacific

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On 12 April, ASPI DC Director Adam Leslie joined a panel discussion on the Quad’s technology potential and strengthening connectivity in the Indo-Pacific at Yale’s inaugural GeoTech Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

The panel discussion featured Channing Lee, Associate Director for Foreign Policy at the Special Competitive Studies Project; Vikram Singh, Senior Advisor to the Asia Program at the United States Institute of Peace; and Dr William Chou, Japan Chair fellow at the Hudson Institute.

In Conversation with Dr Arzan Tarapore – Deterring an attack on Taiwan: policy options for India and other non-belligerent states

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On 9 April, ASPI DC hosted a lively panel discussion featuring ASPI Senior Fellow Dr. Arzan Tarapore to launch his latest ASPI report, Deterring an attack on Taiwan: policy options for India and other non-belligerent states.

Joining Dr. Tarapore on the panel to discuss the different levers available to Delhi to deter aggression against Taiwan were Bonnie Glaser, Managing Director of the Asia Pacific program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States; Russell Hsiao, Executive Director of the Global Taiwan Institute; and Dr. Joel Wuthnow, Senior Research Fellow in the Center for the Study of Chinese Military Affairs at the National Defense University; and ASPI Senior Analyst Dr. Greg Brown.