Rare earths are arguably Australia’s best bargaining chip with the Trump administration as the US tries to avoid a shortage of minerals such as lithium, germanium, graphite and cobalt, if China was to withhold supply, says USSC's Hayley Channer. Read:

Space is growing ever more important. While more than half back funding an astronaut program, less than a quarter know where space policy is headed. Read the report: https://www.ussc.edu.au/looking-up-from-down-under-in-2025-re-investigating-australian-attitudes-to-national-space-activities

Trump’s UN speech “should be taken seriously,” says USSC CEO Dr Michael Green — the UN must reform to keep the US engaged. Read:

RFK Jr’s anti-vaccine stance is dividing Republicans. USSC’s Harry Melkonian says Trump must balance keeping Kennedy’s supporters — who could swing key electorates — with pushback from his own party. Read:

The late Charlie Kirk used open university forums to drive political engagement and inspire young people to vote for Donald Trump, explains USSC’s Jared Mondschein. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnuAawBYb6E

Charlie Kirk reshaped young conservative politics — and his assassination underscores the rise of political violence in America. USSC’s Jared Mondschein examines what his death means for US politics. Read:

Defence industrial ties, joint ops and C2 coordination between 🇦🇺🇯🇵🇺🇸 all depend on one thing: better intelligence and information sharing. Our new report explores how AJUS can overcome cultural, legal and technical barriers to get there. Read:

China has already won the race in mineral processing. USSC's Hayley Channer argues Australia’s real competition is with the US, Vietnam, Canada and Europe to capture value from critical minerals before the “music stops.” Read:

7 days to go. From tariffs to AI, global conflicts and shifting alliances — 2025 is defined by disruption. What does this mean for US allies, businesses and governments? Find out at SISF 2025. Get your last minute tickets: https://www.ussc.edu.au/sydney-international-strategy-forum-2025

Pandas capture hearts — and serve China’s foreign policy interests. USSC's David Smith and Sydney Uni's Minglu Chen talk the enduring practice of “panda diplomacy.” Listen: https://www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/ussc-briefing-room/ussc-briefing-room-the-role-of-panda-diplomacy-in-international-relations

Albanese has struggled to secure a meeting with Trump — but USSC’s Jared Mondschein says the latest call shows it’s closer: “Especially with this administration, the personal really goes a long way.” Read:

The US Supreme Court’s 2024–25 term brought important rulings on executive power, rights and regulation. Dr Jemimah Roberts explains the key decisions — and their implications for US law and politics. Read:

“Facts are wielded as weapons without historical review or internal contestation.” USSC CEO Michael Green looks at how Beijing’s September 3 parade wasn’t just about military might, but the rewriting of history to shape the future. Read:

China’s WWII narrative is back in the spotlight. USSC’s Dr Lavina Lee writes for the Financial Review that history shows why we should weigh words of “friendship” against lived experience. Read:

"Without willing and courageous allies, the geographically distant power of the US cannot sustain and assert its power in Asia." John Lee and USSC's Lavina Lee on how Beijing’s cognitive warfare aims to weaken America by isolating its allies. Read:

It makes sense that the Australian government sent Richard Marles to Washington, says @USSC’s @MichaelJGreen. But it’s "not really a sustainable dynamic" for Albanese to not have met Trump 7 months into his presidency. Read:

Australia, the US and Japan just signed a trilateral logistics pact. Refuel, rearm, repair together and more — it's a big step for deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. USSC’s Yajat Gupta explains why it matters:

World leaders have taken four different approaches in navigating Trump — from open clashes to quiet avoidance. As Lee Jae Myung prepares for his first summit, which strategy will serve South Korea? USSC’s Michael Green explores his options. Read:

What does it take to run America’s intelligence community? Avril Haines, former US Director of National Intelligence, brings her perspective on today’s complex security challenges to the 2025 Sydney International Strategy Forum. https://www.ussc.edu.au/sydney-international-strategy-forum-2025

Few have shaped US Indo-Pacific strategy like Kurt Campbell — architect of the “Pivot to Asia,” key driver of AUKUS, and former US Deputy Secretary of State. Hear his insights at the 2025 Sydney International Strategy Forum. https://www.ussc.edu.au/sydney-international-strategy-forum-2025

Coverage of the Epstein saga often stops at the headlines. But what’s the legal reality? Media and defamation law expert Harry Melkonian talks the DOJ’s handling, Maxwell's appeal, and more. Listen: https://www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/ussc-briefing-room/ussc-briefing-room-a-legal-look-at-epstein

China’s nuclear buildup isn’t about “winning” a nuclear war — it’s about subduing adversaries and winning without fighting, a new Hudson Institute report argues. John Lee and USSC's Lavina Lee explore the strategic and psychological effects. Read:

The Trump administration as a whole was not mobilising to punish Australia for the policy shift on Palestine, believes USSC's Michael Green. “But there are clearly elements in the administration who are really angry about this." Read:

Only a small share of adults in Australia are receiving AI training. Trump’s AI Action Plan highlights why skills — alongside chips, energy and talent — are critical for competitiveness. Our experts explain the plan. Read: https://www.ussc.edu.au/build-baby-build-america-s-ai-action-plan

Awarding Australia’s frigate contract to Japan is a major milestone in ties, says USSC’s Michael Green. Tokyo now sees Australia as a key hedge against China. Read:

Trump’s new tariffs on Indian goods could strain ties with DC — but also give New Delhi a chance to double down on strategic autonomy, deepen partnerships, and reassert itself as a Global South leader, writes USSC Maitri Fellow Rushali Saha. Read:

The Indian Ocean is more contested than ever. Australia and Europe share values and interests here — but how can they turn that into real security cooperation? Prof. Ben Reilly, Alice Nason and Lily Manning explore the prospects. Read:

In an overnight call, Penny Wong told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Australia will recognise a Palestinian state. It “will not be well received by the Trump administration or Republicans in Congress,” says USSC’s Michael Green. Read:

Our Sydney International Strategy Forum lineup just got even stronger. Hear from world-leading thinkers shaping the global agenda. Secure tickets: www.ussc.edu.au/sydney-inter...

“Beijing’s goal is to win without fighting.” USSC's Michael Green cautions Colby’s Taiwan-first strategy could overlook other fronts in the US-China competition. Read:

On the upcoming Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska, USSC's Harry Melkonian says both leaders would not be making the journey "unless there was some confidence that something of significance was going to happen... there is reason to be optimistic." Watch:

The Trump administration is pressing Canberra to commit to US planning for Taiwan’s defence, warning that America alone does not offer credible deterrence. USSC’s Michael Green says Albanese must show “credibility on the China challenge.” Read:

The AUKUS review will likely raise near-term deterrence concerns, says USSC’s Michael Green. “The question will likely come up: do we (Australia) have adequate deterrence in the near term? … I expect the US position will be, ‘not really.’” Read:

“Trump for the first time since the Clinton administration has ‘re-hyphenated’ India-Pakistan, portraying the US as a neutral broker," says USSC's Michael Green. It marks what appears to be a 25-year setback in US policy toward India. Read:

“Previous US administrations were willing to put aside key differences with India." USSC’s Lavina Lee says Trump’s tariff move risks weakening US efforts to secure India’s support in long-term geostrategic competition with China. Read:

Trump has floated a possible meeting with Putin — but will it matter? “If you look at prior meetings with President Putin and other US presidents, very rarely have they led to major lasting change,” says USSC’s Jared Mondschein. Listen:

Following new restrictions on US defence officials attending think tank forums, USSC’s Tom Corben says the move may reflect anxiety as the Pentagon drafts the 2026 National Defense Strategy — a cornerstone document for any administration. Listen:

“This will be a test of Japanese industrial capacity." USSC’s Tom Corben on the real challenge behind 🇦🇺’s $10b frigate deal with 🇯🇵: We still need to “upskill and up capacity in Australian shipyards” — building here is a longer-term project. Read:

What’s really driving the US AI Action Plan? Trump says America will win the AI race — but how much of this plan is about competing with China? What’s in it and what’s missing? We break it down on the last episode of the Briefing Room. Listen: www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/uss...

“A lot of people put emphasis on the political leaders meeting, but the alliance is far deeper, wider and more expansive.” USSC's Jared Mondschein says the US decision to keep tariffs at 10% is a win for Australia. Read:

What’s inside Trump’s major legislative package — and how did Republicans navigate narrow majorities to pass it? Leading government relations expert Lester Munson joins us to unpack the politics and process behind the One Big Beautiful Bill. Listen: www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/uss...

Despite naming envoys for 50+ countries, Trump has not nominated a US Ambassador to Australia. USSC's Michael Green says the post remains coveted in Washington — Trump is just “making them work for it.” Read:

The extended US review of AUKUS is encouraging, and not necessarily a rebuke of Australia’s defence spending or China policy, says USSC's Michael Green. Read:

It’s proving hard for countries to talk their way out of tariffs on their exports to the US, says @sydney.edu.au/USSC's David Smith. Despite initial hopes that "countries could negotiate their way out of tariffs — that’s not really happening.” Read:

Australia 🇦🇺 and Japan 🇯🇵 face rising economic security threats — from energy and tech to supply chains and trade. Our latest report outlines how they can lead together through shared action and strategy. Read: www.ussc.edu.au/developing-a...

From The Matrix to The Fall Guy, Australia has long been a hub for US film production. With Trump's proposed 100% tariff on films made overseas, what’s at stake for the industry? @sydney.edu.au's Mike Seymour joined us on the pod to break it down. Listen: www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/uss...

“This touches on the most sensitive of political sensitivities for his MAGA faithful.” The Epstein file saga is not something Trump can simply wish away, says USSC’s Jared Mondschein to ABC News. Listen:

Will Ghislaine Maxwell have to testify before Congress? Once members return after the summer, “the votes are there — between Republicans and Democrats,” says USSC’s Harry Melkonian. “There’s nothing the president can do to stop that.” Watch:

Trump’s $10B defamation suit against the Wall Street Journal faces big hurdles. USSC’s Harry Melkonian says US law makes it extremely difficult for public figures to win such cases — unlike in Australia, where the burden of proof is reversed. Read:

The US is loosening restrictions on missile and drone exports — a major shift with big implications for allies like Australia. USSC’s Chris Watterson explains what it means for defence ties, AUKUS and industry. Read the brief: