ASPI DC hosts quantum computing dialogue series with PsiQuantum

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

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

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!

AUKUS Trilateral Initiative

On the 20th and 21st of March, ASPI DC convened with the Center for New American Studies (CNAS) and the Centre for Grand Strategy at Kings College London (KCL) its second trilateral AUKUS Initiative. This Track 1.5 event brought together high-ranking officials and industry representation from across the United States, Australian and UK governments to discuss the AUKUS announcement, and was concluded with a dinner attended by Australian Ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, who gave a speech.

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Iain MacGillivray was interviewed by War on the Rocks

On March 14th, ASPI DC Analyst, Iain MacGillivray was interviewed by War on the Rocks on their podcast episode, Australia’s Pathway to Acquire Nuclear Submarines. Iain highlighted the immense opportunity AUKUS Pillar 1 holds for Australia and the US in pursing shared strategic interests, but also drew attention to the challenges of revitalizing Australia’s industrial base and the questions around the US’ capacity to meet their own defense at the current manufacturing rate of SSN’s and availability of skilled workers to grow this capability.

ASPI DC host Western Australian Government Delegation

On March 10th, ASPI DC hosted a delegation led by the Hon. Bill Johnston MLA, Western Australia’s Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Energy, to discuss critical minerals strategy. The discussion was key in highlighting the importance of WA to Australia’s critical mineral supply chains and potential for strong collaboration with US industry and government, and informed thinking around ASPI DC’s broader project on paradiplomacy project.

ASPI DC provide panel at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Centre

On March 7th, ASPI DC Director, Mark Watson, Senior Analyst, Dr Greg Brown and Analyst’s, Bronte Munro and Iain MacGillivray were invited to provide a panel at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Centre.

The panel was on ‘The role of AUKUS and The Quad in the Indo-Pacific Security Architecture’ and was attended both in person and online. The discussion provided an opportunity for the ASPI DC team to discuss Australia’s role within regional security architecture, the opportunities and challenges of AUKUS, and Australia and US alliance collaboration.

ASPI DC partnered with AmCham

On January 19th ASPI DC partnered with AmCham to convene a roundtable on ‘How Australia and the United States can Secure Semiconductor Supply Chains’, which focused on the recommendations of ASPI’s 2022 report Australia’s National Semiconductor Moonshot. The event was hosted in Washington DC with a virtual element for Australian participants, and attended by Australian Ambassador, Arthur Sinodinos.

Alex Capri, author of the ASPI 2022 report, moderated the two-part discussion with assistance from co-author, Robert Clark. The roundtable was attended by senior government officials from Australia and the US, industry and academia, and produced insights into the importance of a skilled workforce for the semiconductor supply chain. These findings have informed a subsequent report on talent pipeline development in aid of the national semiconductor moonshot, which will be published by ASPI in late 2023.

ASPI DC hosts dialogue on ‘Paradiplomacy, Defence and National Security: Implications for the US-Australia alliance’

On December 13th, ASPI DC hosted the day-long dialogue ‘Paradiplomacy, Defence and National Security: Implications for the US-Australia alliance’. The event was attended widely by Australian and US government officials, and academic experts on subnational engagement and US foreign policy. Participants engaged strongly in discussion and identified potential avenues for greater economic and political collaboration across the US and Australian systems. Similar actions by adversaries utilizing paradiplomacy as a tool for state craft was also discussed. The importance of Australia and the US coordinating increased engagement at state and local government levels in areas of critical importance, such as critical minerals, education and technology supply chains was highlighted.

This dialogue is part of a wider body of work being undertaken by the ASPI DC office that aims to highlight to policymakers in both the US and Australia how they can better utilise the federal system to ensure mutually beneficial economic, political and security outcomes are achieved.

Iain MacGillivray was interviewed by the Georgetown University podcast Initiative for US-China Dialogue on Global Issues

On November 16th, ASPI DC Analyst, Iain MacGillivray was interviewed by the Georgetown University podcast Initiative for US-China Dialogue on Global Issues. The episode, China leans on pragmatism in the Middle East, unpacks the complexities of China’s perception by Middle Eastern states and explored the notion that China might displace the regional security role played by the US.