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AUGUST 2019
REPORT LAUNCH
Averting crisis in the Indo-Pacific
President Donald Trump was asked about a new United States Studies Centre report authored by Ashley Townshend, Brendan Thomas-Noone and Matilda Steward which argues that America’s defence strategy in the Indo-Pacific is in the throes of a serious crisis. Faced with an ever more capable and assertive China, and with limited resources at its disposal, the authors contend that the US military urgently needs to refocus on the requirements of great power competition and rebuild its strength after years of costly conflict in the Middle East. The president dismissed the finding, stating that the US military remains "the most powerful in the world."
The authors argue that in order to avoid a deeper crisis, Australia should take steps to advance a strategy of collective defence to offset shortfalls in America’s regional military position and bolster a favourable balance of power. The report was launched in Canberra with a panel discussion featuring the report authors and Lisa Murray from The Australian Financial Review. The report was covered by The Guardian, Fox News, Sydney Morning Herald, Bloomberg, Defense News, and CNN, among others. Read "Averting Crisis" here.
CANBERRA LAUNCH
The future of the Australia-US alliance: Report briefing
Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Frances Adamson joined Dr Charles Edel and Dr John Lee at Parliament House in Canberra for the launch of their major report examining the future of the Australia-US alliance amidst increasing tensions with China. The special USSC report details why there are divergences between the two allies when it comes to countering China and how to narrow those differences. Listen to the audio here.
INNOVATION REPORT
Building a globally recognised AgTech ecosystem in Australia
AgTech — the wave of emerging technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning and biotechnology coming to food and agriculture — has the potential to both benefit Australia’s agricultural sector and create direct economic benefits through commercialisation of new technology. A new USSC report by Cass Mao and Sarah Nolet examines how St Louis, Missouri, a mid-west city with a strong specialisation in AgTech can offer insight into how to drive success in Australia's startup ecosystems. You can read the report here.
SYDNEY CONFERENCE
Indo-Pacific Strategic Futures: Dialogue and Simulation
Former Secretary of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Peter Varghese AO, delivered a keynote address at the USSC's "Indo-Pacific Strategic Futures: Dialogue and Simulation" conference dinner at PwC Sydney. The workshop brought together experts, officials and next-generation leaders from across the Indo-Pacific region to discuss regional security issues. Varghese's address “Australia, the United States and the Indo-Pacific” has been edited as an analysis and can be read here.
CENTRE NEWS
2020 Washington DC placement program
Applications are now open for the 2020 Washington DC placement program. We interviewed Cheran Ketheesuran and Jeanne Shu — participants in the 2019 Washington DC Placement Program — who shared their experiences of working in the US capital whilst living and studying at a US college. Listen to their thoughts on the program here. Applications close on Tuesday, 27 August at midnight AEST. Apply here.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
BRIEF: Australia’s bionic eye initiative was launched without solid evidence that it could be successfully commercialised. A new USSC research brief identifies lessons from the case of the bionic eye initiative on how not to innovate. Read here.
PODCAST: The Democratic presidential candidates faced off in the second round of live debates over two nights in Detroit, Michigan. Elliott Brennan joined 2020Vision to discuss his thoughts on their performance. Listen to podcast
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United States Studies Centre
Institute Building H03
University of Sydney NSW 2006
