JULY 2018

A message from the CEO

July was a big month for the Australia-US relationship. American Independence Day (July 4) marked the centenary of the Battle of Hamel on the Western Front in World War One, the first time that Australians and Americans fought together. “One hundred years of mateship” has been the Australian government’s calling card this year in Washington, an immensely powerful reminder of Australia’s deep commitment to its alliance with the United States. 

July also saw American and Australian defence and foreign policy leaders gather for the 2018 AUSMIN consultations (at Stanford University, my old stomping ground), where Australian-American co-operation in the Indo-Pacific featured prominently.

With the frantic tempo of news from Washington, the work of the United States Studies Centre is at once immensely valuable, challenging and rewarding. We remain focused on developments in the United States that are important and relevant for Australia, not all of which are to do with President Trump or the day’s headlines. This is why the Centre's Trade and Investment program last week released crucial research into the national security implications of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the United States and Australia, and resulting changes in the way both countries regulate FDI. It's why the Centre's Foreign Policy program this month hosted Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong for an address on the future of America in Asia. It's why our Innovation and Entrepreneurship program is undertaking research into what we can learn from American advancement in AgTech, airport cities and venture capital to help grow the Australian economy.

It's also why the Australian government this month announced continued financial support for the Centre – and our sister institution the Perth USAsia Centre – over the next four years, a tremendous vote of confidence in the Centre and our mission. The Centre is thus extremely well placed to approach one of the most important US midterm elections of our generation, providing unmatched expertise, research and analysis of the implications for Australia.

As always, I encourage you to attend our events, subscribe to our weekly dispatches and engage with our research to ensure you, your workplaces, businesses and classrooms remain informed about this critical period in the history of the United States.

Sincerely,

Professor Simon Jackman
CEO

SPEECH

Senator Penny Wong | The US in Asia: An Australian perspective 

Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Senator the Hon. Penny Wong, this month joined the United States Studies Centre for an address examining the role of the United States in Asia.

In the week before the 33rd AUSMIN meeting and after returning from Washington, the South Australian senator argued that Australia needs to rethink the best way to work with the United States. Senator Wong called for Australia to cooperate with its regional neighbours to find ways to convince the US that engagement with the Indo-Pacific at all levels is worthwhile. In saying this, she noted reductions in Australia's aid budget as a difficulty, and floated the idea of an Australian investment fund aimed at addressing the Pacific "infrastructure deficit". 

The speech was broadcast live on Sky News Extra and covered by all the major networks and newspapers. You can watch the speech here (transcript included).

EVENTS

Advanced film screening | BlacKkKlansman

Truth decay: Exploring the diminishing role of facts and analysis

CENTRE NEWS

REPORT

Deal-breakers? Regulating foreign direct investment for national security in Australia and the United States

Both the United States and Australia rely on foreign direct investment (FDI) as a major source of capital to fund domestic investment and economic growth. But while most foreign acquisitions do not raise national security concerns, security considerations have become more salient in recent years due to a change in the sources of FDI.

A new report released last week by Dr Stephen Kirchner and Jared Mondschein looks at the national security risks arising from such investments and recommends action on a number of fronts, including increased cooperation between Australia and the United States.

POLLING

Australians as anxious about healthcare costs as Americans, more anxious about climate change

Australians report higher levels of anxiety than Americans on issues like climate change, and virtually identical levels of anxiety about the affordability of healthcare despite Australia’s stronger social safety net, according to new research from the United States Studies Centre.

The polling, jointly conducted by the USSC and YouGov is a comparison of self-reported anxiety in both Australia and the United States and asked respondents how often they felt anxious about scenarios including losing their job or business, not being able to afford healthcare, failure at work and climate change. You can read the full results here.

RESEARCH BRIEF

Human rights and the Trump administration

The Trump administration's withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council is part of a broader US deprioritisation of human rights internationally, at the same time as China, Russia and other states have grown more assertive in challenging democratic norms.  

In her new research brief, Non-Resident Senior Fellow Dr Elsina Wainwright, AM examines this departure from previous administrations on human rights promotion; the role of the State Department and US Congress in filling the vacuum; and the implications for Australia.

REPORT

Space for growth: Prospects for Australia-US civil space cooperation

As the space sector becomes critical to Australia's economic growth and national security in the coming decades, Canberra has reached bi-partisan consensus in establishing Australia’s first space agency. The difficult question for policymakers is how the agency should further Australia’s interests in both economic and national security aspects of space, and what international partnerships it can forge to leverage global expertise.

A report written by Foreign Policy and Defence Fellow Anthony Wicht contains a number of policy recommendations to further Australia-US cooperation in space. It comes as the United States shows greater interest in allies becoming more space capable and Australia invests in building a national space agency. 

David Smith heads to London

The Centre's senior lecturer in American politics and foreign policy Dr David Smith departs this week for the United Kingdom where he'll join the London School of Economics' United States Centre for several months. His tenure there is part of an academic fellowship he was awarded in March.

Dougal Robinson becomes a non-resident fellow

Dougal Robinson has concluded his time as a resident fellow at the USSC, but will continue as a non-resident fellow. Dougal is travelling to the United States where he will undertake a Masters in Strategic Studies and International Economics at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He will do this in his capacity as a Fulbright Scholar. 

July Fourth, the state of the American state

While the United States celebrated the Fourth of July, USSC's scholars and experts took pause to give a snapshot of some of the pressing issues the nation faces on its 242nd anniversary. You can read these takes on issues varying from reproductive rights, to trade policy, foreign affairs and even the status of celebrity in US politics here. 

The Divine Violence of Underworld USA

A chapter authored by USSC lecturer in American studies Dr Rodney Taveira has been published in the new collection The Big Somewhere: Essays on James Ellroy's Noir World. Dr Taveira's chapter, 'The Divine Violence of Underworld USA', is one of several from world-class scholars that paint a picture of canonical American crime writer James Ellroy. 

ALUMNI NEWS

SUGUNA registration

Early bird registrations for Sydney University Graduate’s Union of North America’s 28th Annual Conference in Washington DC, in partnership with the United States Studies Centre (18–20 October) are open until August. Check out SUGUNA on Facebook for more information.

STUDENT NEWS

NYC program expression of interest

We're looking for expressions of interest for an exclusive program offering students the opportunity to travel to the United States in February 2019. If you can see yourself in NYC next February, let us know by filling out this form.

Washington DC internship

Want to spend your Summer break interning in Washington DC? Come along to our information session on 6 August to learn more. 

UCLA program is a sunny success

The 50 students participating in the UCLA Study Abroad Program are a month into their exchange. With just two weeks left before their Australian homecoming, the students having been making the most of college life and an education at one of the world's top ranking universities. 

What is the future of the US-Australia alliance?

The US-Australia alliance faces increased scrutiny due to a challenging security outlook in Australia's Indo-Pacific region. Students are invited to join four Fulbright Scholars for a discussion on the future of the alliance, with ample time for Q&A with panelists. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions about the Fulbright Scholarship program. Find out more here.

Re-O Day

A new semester is about to kick off! USSC staff are at today's Re-Orientation Day between 9am-4pm. They'll be joining in on the festivities on Eastern Avenue to chat about enrolling in units and the USSC experience.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Walter V Robinson: Spotlight on the resurgence of American investigative reporting. Editor at Large of the Boston Globe and former head of the 'Spotlight' team, Walter V Robinson joined the USSC to discuss the state of investigative journalism in the Trump era. Listen to podcast.

Populism, authoritarianism and gender in Trump’s America. Two of the United States' leading political psychologists, Stanley Feldman and Leonie Huddy joined US Studies Centre CEO Professor Simon Jackman in a discussion to talk about the role of populism, authoritarianism and gender in American politics. Listen to the podcast.

ARE YOU GETTING "THE 45TH"?

"The 45th" is our weekly wrap of US politics-related news, analysis and events delivered to your inbox every Wednesday.
Sign up now

Manage your email preferences  |  Forward this email to a friend

United States Studies Centre
Institute Building H03
University of Sydney NSW 2006

www.ussc.edu.au  |  us-studies@sydney.edu.au