Stop the World: Strategic shifts with Thijs van der Plas, Anita Nergaard and Scott M. Oudkirk

In the latest episode of Stop the World, ASPI’s Executive Director Justin Bassi is joined by Netherlands Ambassador to NATO Thijs van der Plas, Norway’s Ambassador to NATO Anita Nergaard and the US Chargé d’affaires to NATO Scott M. Oudkirk. 

Since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, NATO has undergone a strategic shift with increased collective defence spending and the expansion of the alliance to include Finland and Sweden. This conversation explores NATO’s recent evolution and how Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine contributed to it. 

Justin, Thijs, Anita and Scott also discuss the current state of the war in Ukraine and whether the conflict is headed towards a stalemate, or if there is a credible path towards a Ukrainian victory. They also talk about China’s role in enabling the Russian war effort, the introduction of North Korean troops into the conflict and how to deter Russia’s increasing hybrid warfare. 

Finally, they explore NATO’s relationship with the Indo-Pacific, including its ties with the Indo-Pacific Four countries – Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand – and they discuss the indivisibility of Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security. 

Guests:
Thijs van der Plas
Anita Nergaard
Scott M. Oudkirk

Stop the World: Authoritarianism and the future of Hong Kong with Kevin Yam and Ted Hui

In the latest episode of Stop the World, David Wroe speaks to Kevin Yam and Ted Hui, two of Australia’s most prominent exiled Hong Kong democracy activists. 

Kevin is a research fellow at the University of Melbourne Law School and a commentator on China and Hong Kong. Ted Hui is a lawyer who was previously a member of Hong Kong’s legislature before he was forced to leave in 2020.  

David, Kevin and Ted talk about the current state of democracy in Hong Kong and how authorities are applying the sweeping national security law that was imposed on the region by Beijing in 2020. They also discuss the recent mass sentencing of pro-democracy activists under the national security law, including the case of Australian man Gordon Ng who was sentenced to smore than seven years in jail. 

With four Australian judges remaining on Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal, they also discuss whether there is value in foreign judges remaining on the court, or if they are legitimising an authoritarian regime, and examine the Australia-China relationship and the impact it has on Canberra’s position on Hong Kong. 

Guests:

Kevin Yam  

Ted Hui  

Stop the World: Artificial intimacy, persuasive technologies, and how bots can manipulate us

Today on Stop the World, David Wroe speaks with Casey Mock and Sasha Fegan from the US-based Center for Humane Technology. The CHT is at the forefront of efforts to ensure technology makes our lives better, and strengthens rather than divides our communities. They also produce the podcast, Your Undivided Attention—one of the world’s most popular forums for deep and serious conversations about the impact of technology on society. David, Casey and Sasha discuss the tragic case of 14-year-old Sewell Setzer, who took his life after forming an intimate attachment to an online chatbot. They also talk about persuasive technologies that influence users at deep emotional and even unconscious levels, disinformation, the increasingly polluted information landscape, deepfakes, the pros and cons of age verification for social media and Australia’s approach to these challenges.

To read ASPI’s latest report, ‘Persuasive technologies in China: Implications for the future of national security’, please visit ⁠https://www.aspi.org.au/report/persuasive-technologies-china-implications-future-national-security⁠

Warning: this episode discusses mental health and suicide, which some listeners might find distressing. If you need someone to talk to, help is available through a range of services, including ⁠Lifeline⁠ on 13 11 14 and ⁠Beyond Blue⁠ on 1300 22 46 36.

Urban warfare in Ukraine and Gaza with John Spencer

In this episode of Stop the World, ASPI Senior Analyst Alex Bristow interviews John Spencer, the Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point and host of the Urban Warfare Project podcast.   

Alex and John discuss urban warfare in the context of the conflict in Ukraine and Gaza, asymmetric capabilities and the impact of technology on warfare. 

They also talk about the laws of armed conflict and the public debate around Israel and Gaza, as well consider prospects for peace in Ukraine.   

Guests:  

Dr Alex Bristow  
John Spencer  

Stop the World TSD Summit Sessions: The Climate Crisis with Anote Tong

In the latest video edition of The Sydney Dialogue Summit Sessions, ASPI Senior Fellow Dr Robert Glasser speaks to the former President of Kiribati and Chair of the Pacific Elders Voice Anote Tong. 

Anote is one of the Pacific region’s most prominent and respected advocates for action to combat climate change.

Robert and Anote discuss the impact that climate change is having in the Pacific and what action needs to be taken now to limit further climate disruptions. 

They also discuss Australia’s relationship with the Pacific, China’s presence in the region and the opportunities and challenges that great power competition presents for Pacific Island nations.  

Anote was a panellist at The Sydney Dialogue, ASPI’s premier policy summit for critical, emerging and cyber technologies, held on September 2 and 3. This special episode is the sixth is a series of podcasts filmed on the sidelines of the conference.

Speakers:

Anote Tong – https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/anote-tong

Dr Robert Glasser – https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/robert-glasser

Stop the World: Climate change and security with ‘Climate General’ Tom Middendorp

In this episode of Stop the World, Justin Bassi speaks to retired General Tom Middendorp – also known as the ‘Climate General’ – about the links between climate change, defence and security. They discuss the impact of climate change on the military and its role in disaster preparedness and response.

With a growing global population meaning a growing demand on natural resources, the conversation also explores how we can adapt and learn to do more with fewer resources. They consider the role that technology and innovation can play in responding to climate change, as well as the importance of supply chain security.

They also discuss the different climate risks in South and Southeast Asia and the Pacific, and how countries like Australia and the Netherlands can work together to support these regions and help address the combined climate and security threats we face.

Guests:
⁠Justin Bassi⁠
⁠General Tom Middendorp⁠

Stop the World: TSD Summit Sessions: Diversity and national security with Arfiya Eri

In the latest edition of the Sydney Dialogue Summit Sessions, ASPI Analyst Daria Impiombato interviews Japanese politician Arfiya Eri. Arfiya is a Japanese woman of Uyghur and Uzbek heritage. She talks about her experiences in Japanese politics, her experiences online and the importance of diversity in politics.

They discuss Japan’s place in the world as well as identity, diversity and national security. If you want to watch this interview rather than listen, head over to ASPI’s YouTube channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ASPICanberra/videos⁠

To watch Arfiya’s Sydney Dialogue session on demand, visit: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caQskODUU7M

TSD Summit Sessions: Quantum, semiconductors and security with Dr Pete Shadbolt

This episode of Stop the World is a deep dive into quantum computing with Dr Pete Shadbolt, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at PsiQuantum, and Alex Capri, Research Fellow at the Hinrich Foundation.

The conversation provides a breakdown of quantum computing and explores the challenges and profound opportunities that the technology could bring. Alex and Pete discuss how quantum computing can be applied in a practical sense, from biotech to the battlefield, and they examine the potential security implications of the technology and how we can ensure it is used for good.

They also discuss the importance of encouraging more diversity in the quantum sector, particularly to strengthen supply chain security and resilience. Finally, Pete details what PsiQuantum’s planned quantum computer in Queensland will look like and how it will be built.

This conversation was recorded in September at The Sydney Dialogue – ASPI’s premier policy summit for critical, emerging and cyber technologies. You can watch the conversation on ASPI’s YouTube channel here.

Guests:
Dr Pete Shadbolt
Alex Capri

Olivia Nelson

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