Despite Trump’s tariffs, Australian exports to the US have surged 20%. USSC’s Dr John Kunkel says American firms are “swallowing” much of the cost – a sign of limited local substitutes and a still-robust US economy. Read:

Australia has been “laggard” in turning AI safeguards into enforceable law, says USSC’s Olivia Shen — calling for a balanced approach to ensure AI is used safely and responsibly. Read:

For 70 years, the Kim dynasty has defied international pressure — building nuclear weapons, extracting concessions and resisting reform. In her latest for AIIA, USSC’s Jane Hardy asks who, if anyone, can change things? Read: https://www.ussc.edu.au/three-kims-narratives-nukes-and-negotiations

“The existential threat to the liberal order and to American leadership is China, not Venezuela," notes USSC’s Dr Michael Green, as debate over new Pentagon communication restrictions raises broader questions of strategic priority. Read:

Democratic wins in VA, NJ and NYC come amid the government shutdown. As USSC's Bruce Wolpe notes, “the president owns the economy.” Voters may be signalling frustration — and shifting leverage. Read:

On this week's Democrat mayoral and gubernatorial wins, "we shouldn't forget where we were 4 years ago, when President Biden was in the White House and we saw that Virginia actually elected a Republican governor," says USSC's Jared Mondschein. Watch:

“Cheney was also an ‘allies first’ leader in the White House.” USSC CEO Dr Michael Green reflects on nearly five years working alongside the former Vice President — including how Cheney engaged closely with Australia, Japan, and South Korea. Read:

“As disruptive as he might be, Trump is a risk but also an enormous opportunity for nervous allies,” writes USSC's Dr Lavina Lee. A shifting nuclear balance in Asia is testing extended deterrence — and underscoring the urgency of AUKUS. Read:

Despite tensions and tariff threats, recent US-Asia summits strengthened trust in alliances and regional cooperation. USSC CEO Dr Michael Green explains how leaders in Canberra, Tokyo and Seoul helped steady the relationship. Read:

Trump has deployed National Guard troops to various US cities in response to rising protests against immigration enforcement action. USSC's @katrobison.bsky.social explains how far he can push the limits of the presidential office. Listen:

“The entire US system has now bought in to strategic competition with China.” USSC’s Jared Mondschein tells ABC News why even a Trump–Xi trade deal would likely be short-lived. Read:

After a year of strained ties, Trump’s visit to Tokyo signals a renewed warmth in the US–Japan relationship. As USSC's Dr Michael Green notes, the US approach to China still begins with allies — dealing with Beijing from the “outside in." Read:

Despite most in Australia, Japan and India saying Trump’s second term has been bad for their countries, support for alliances with the US remains firm. Explore our latest polling: https://www.ussc.edu.au/despite-anxiety-about-trump-asia-s-maritime-democracies-are-increasingly-aligned-on-security

With one year until the US midterms, USSC's Bruce Wolpe considers how voters might define the next chapter of American leadership. His latest column traces the shift from Reaganism to Trumpism — and what it means for US democracy. Read:

As global missile threats rise, how can Australia better defend its homeland? A new report from USSC urges the Australian Government to make ground-based air defence a top priority in its 2026 National Defence Strategy. Read more: https://bit.ly/3WmWd2q

🚨 Applications open! USSC is seeking two postdoctoral fellows in the humanities and social sciences for our 2026 Fellowship. Work alongside leading scholars on US politics, culture, and foreign policy — right here in Sydney. 🗓️ Apply by 15 Nov 2025: https://bit.ly/4qnBOIk

California leans in on AI safety to support innovation. The state's new AI law, SB53, enforces transparency, risk reporting and whistleblower protections for major developers. Read the explainer for more: https://bit.ly/4nU3nY0

From tariffs to shifting alliances, Trump’s second term is testing Asia’s ability to adapt. Without a clear regional “Trump whisperer,” relationships with Washington remain uncertain. USSC CEO Dr Michael Green examines the implications for Asia’s security: https://bit.ly/3JkIw0X

What connects a shooting at a Michigan Mormon church to other attacks on religious institutions in America? USSC's Associate Prof David Smith joins the Briefing Room to unpack the politics of persecution. Listen: https://bit.ly/3L1pEEH

As long as PM Albanese "recognises that Donald Trump is looking for a deal, and the deal is something that can be flexible, there’s no reason for everyone not to leave happy." USSC's Harry Melkonian tells Sky News. Watch: https://bit.ly/4hmGNFd

Rare earth processing capacity important amid China's global influence. "All of these minerals underpin everything... we would be really stuck if China decided not to sell those products to other countries," USSC's Hayley Channer tells Insiders. Listen: https://ab.co/46YyM5E

Albanese to meet Trump amid tariffs and AUKUS scrutiny. "The importance of 🇦🇺 and the 🇺🇸 getting together, aligning their efforts in the region, has never been greater... in the history of the US-Australia alliance," USSC Jared Mondschein tells ABC News. Read more: https://ab.co/4ox5S2A

Australia’s critical minerals exports are in focus. "The US’s main bugbear is that the majority of Australian minerals go to China for processing... that just continues to strengthen China’s stranglehold," says USSC's Hayley Channer Read: https://bit.ly/47fk8G5

As global dynamics shift, how are Australians viewing their most important ally? USSC’s new polling reveals ten key takeaways on Australian attitudes to the United States, the Australia-US alliance and key issues facing the Indo-Pacific region. Read more: https://bit.ly/4qbV9Mr

Australia's data centre industry is booming. But the rapid growth is putting pressure on the national power grid. USSC Research Associate Johanna Lim outlines the three key measures needed to make it sustainable: https://bit.ly/4nT7YcU

A maturing Australia–India relationship is taking shape. USSC 2025 Maitri Fellow Rushali Saha analyses how Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s Canberra visit underscores growing collaboration in defence and security. Read more: https://bit.ly/4n8ZwFg

Ever wanted to work on cutting edge policy challenges at the intersection of national security and business? The United States Studies Centre is hiring a Research Fellow / Senior Research Fellow to join its Economic Security Program. Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/4ohVFqo

The second Trump administration is moving fast, and nowhere faster than in Gaza. Trump's new "shock and awe" diplomacy is reshaping how the United States engages abroad. USSC Non-Resident Fellow Lester Munson examines whether this approach is built to last: https://bit.ly/4oiLqCn

Trump earns bipartisan praise for brokering Israel-Hamas peace deal. "The Trump administration was uniquely capable of getting this deal over the finish line," said @USSC's @jaredmondschein, speaking to ABC's PM. Listen: https://ab.co/4q8eNZM

US Government shutdown not a huge political factor in upcoming midterm elections. “The bigger damage… is how much this disincentivises America’s best and brightest from considering federal service,” @jaredmondschein tells ABC's The World Today. Listen: https://ab.co/48RB87x

Congratulations to USSC Chairman The Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO on his honorary doctorate at the University of Sydney in recognition of his outstanding achievements over his impactful career. An honorary doctorate is the highest level of recognition by the university and it is very well deserved.

AUKUS isn’t the only tool for allied defence integration. The NTIB — linking 🇺🇸🇬🇧🇦🇺🇨🇦🇳🇿 — remains one of the most powerful yet underused mechanisms for industrial cooperation. Our latest report explores how to revive the mechanism: https://bit.ly/3L0arUj

"This is not a positive picture for the US economy or the functioning of the US Government." @USSC's @jaredmondschein discusses the US Government shutdown and what this could mean for businesses and government operations. Watch: https://ab.co/42pffIW

Australians are fascinated by space — but many are looking outward, not inward. More follow NASA than Australia's own space agency. See what people are thinking: https://www.ussc.edu.au/looking-up-from-down-under-in-2025-re-investigating-australian-attitudes-to-national-space-activities

What role should the U.S. play in the Indo-Pacific? On the @usstudiescentre.bsky.social’s Asia Chessboard Podcast, SFS Distinguished Fellow in Diplomacy Kurt Campbell discusses int'l security, tech in geopolitical competition & his time in the Biden admin. Listen here: https://bit.ly/46FQFVu

In today’s contested world, power is not just military or economic — it’s narrative. Our new explainer makes the case for a whole-of-government Strategic Communications capability in Australia. Read:

From the White House to the CIA, @cnas.bsky.social's Lisa Curtis has spent decades helping shape US strategy. She joined us to talk the future of alliances. https://www.ussc.edu.au/podcasts/ussc-briefing-room/ussc-briefing-room-the-prognosis-for-the-quad-and-other-us-alliances-in-the-indo-pacific

Satellites power your GPS, your banking, even your weather app. Yet most Australians don’t connect these everyday essentials to space. USSC's Kat Robison and UNSW's Tristan Moss argue it’s time to change how we talk about space. Read:

“It is downright eerie to read, right now, Kamala Harris’ memoir of her 2024 presidential campaign.” USSC's Bruce Wolpe reflects on Harris’s candid account of an historic, consequential race. Read: https://www.ussc.edu.au/kamala-harris-candid-memoir-reveals-her-ideal-vice-president

AUKUS is only part of the story. Without strengthening the (often-overlooked) NTIB — Australia and its partners risk falling short on the speed and scale needed to meet regional challenges. Our new analysis looks at what needs to change:

Albanese should use his meeting with Trump in October to seek assurances on AUKUS, says USSC Chairman Arthur Sinodinos AO. “It is important to nail down these security agreements... China’s worked very had to derail those processes." Read:

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