No images? Click here
Tomorrow marks 75 years since the signing of the ANZUS Treaty. In honour of this occasion, we wanted this year’s Allies and Partners Poll to take a deeper look at sentiment towards alliances — both the Australia-US alliance but also the other alliances and partnerships between Quad countries. What we found was similar to the first United States Studies Centre (USSC) polling conducted in 2008; support for the US-Australia alliance outweighs opposition, even when presidential approval ratings are low. Despite 58% of Australian respondents in 2026 disapproving of the second Trump administration, only 15% want to withdraw from their alliance with the United States.
This speaks to the enduring nature of the alliance. Over 75 years it has witnessed multiple wars, significant changes in government, cultural revolutions and a world transformed by technology. In all of this, there is a constancy in the US-Australia relationship that has not just weathered drastic changes, but it has evolved along with it.
Australia was the country to invoke the ANZUS Treaty for the first and only time, to aid the United States in the War on Terror. And, five years ago this month, we mark the anniversary of the AUKUS announcement, one of the most surprising and strategic defence agreements in the history of the United States and Australia. It gives Australia access to the highest level of technology for not just submarines, but for a broad range of advanced capabilities that are the future of defence. Amidst the current debate on AUKUS, a plurality (48%) of Australians think it is a good idea for Australia to have nuclear-powered submarines — although the polling reveals a significant gender divide on AUKUS with only 39% of women supporting the submarines, compared to 58% of men.
We will be exploring these themes at our upcoming Sydney International Strategy Forum: Alliances in an age of disorder. We hope you can join us for what is sure to be a lively and insightful day as we look at alliances and partnerships with the United States at a time of geopolitical turmoil and actively look toward solutions moving forward.
Sydney International Strategy Forum 2026
New speakers confirmed
The list of distinguished speakers and panellists joining the lineup for the 2026 Sydney International Strategy Forum continues to grow. Newly confirmed speakers include:
- Doug Beck | Former Director of the US Defense Innovation Unit and Principal Staff Assistant to the US Secretary of Defense
- Dr Lael Brainard | Former Director of the US Economic Council and former Vice Chair of the Board of Governors of the US Federal Reserve
- Justin Hayhurst | Deputy Secretary, International and Security of the Australian Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and former Australian Ambassador to Japan
They join a high-profile lineup including Chairman and Co-Founder of The Asia Group and former US Deputy Secretary of State Dr Kurt Campbell, President of the Metropolitan State University of Denver and former US Under Secretary of the Navy Dr Janine Davidson, Chairman of the Board at the Institute for Indo-Pacific Security and former US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs the Hon. Randall Schriver, Singaporean academic and former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign affairs of Singapore Bilahari Kausikan and Director of the University of Texas’ Asia Policy Program Associate Professor Sheena Chestnut Greitens, and many more.
2026 Sydney International Strategy Forum
WHEN
Wednesday, 23 September 2026
WHERE
Sydney, Australia
PRICING
Full price ticket $899
Student ticket $499
News
USSC hosts Cara Abercrombie as WITA Visiting Fellow
This month, we welcomed former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment at the US Department of Defense and Senior Advisor with The Cohen Group Cara Abercrombie as our latest WITA Visiting Fellow. She joined a workshop with the 2026 WITA cohort and travelled to Canberra for the latest Defence Industry Roundtable. Stay tuned for an upcoming USSC Briefing Room episode featuring Cara.
American Studies team hosts annual student prize night
Our annual student prize night was a smashing success. It was all about celebrating our wonderful students and everything they’ve achieved. It is always a highlight of the year for professors, staff and students to gather and celebrate. Congratulations to the many winners.
Delegation from Papua New Guinea visits
Last week, USSC hosted a DFAT delegation with representatives of Papua New Guinea to look at economic and national security issues. The discussion focused on emerging and non-traditional threat vectors, from economic coercion to critical infrastructure risks. Representatives and senior advisers from both political offices and PNG departments joined USSC resident and non-resident fellows for a robust discussion of shared challenges and opportunities.
Migrating Modernism, Migrating Ideas symposium hosted at Chau Chak Wing Museum
The USSC joined forces with the Chau Chak Wing Museum, the University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning, the Power Institute of Art & Visual Culture, The University of Sydney USA Foundation, and the State Library of NSW for the Migrating Modernism, Migrating Ideas symposium on campus. Senior Lecturer in American Studies Dr Aaron Nyerges shared a case study on art in architecture in a panel moderated by USSC Academic Director Dr Rodney Taveira.
Australia-United States Strategic Health and Medicine Dialogue
Today, USSC tackled one of the thorniest US-Australia economic issues — health and medicines. Partnering with Medicines Australia, USSC hosted a discussion with experts from industry and academia, along with former government representatives, to look at patient access, the Trump administration’s most favoured nation policy and market impacts, to workshop solutions and pathways forward.
Second professional development webinar for teachers looks at ChatGPT and the pushback against expertise
This month we hosted the second webinar in our teacher professional development series. The theme was: ChatGPT and the pushback against expertise. USSC Director of Strategic Technologies Olivia Shen and Professor of US Politics and US Foreign Relations Brendon O’Connor joined a conversation moderated by Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck.
Our next professional development webinar for teachers is happening on 8 September.
Women in the Alliance 2027 applications close soon
Apply now for the 2027 Women in the Alliance cohort!
The United States Studies Centre is inviting emerging leaders working across government, industry, policy, technology and academia interested in the Australia-US partnership to join the Women in the Alliance (WITA) network — a year-long professional opportunity designed to foster meaningful connections, sharpen strategic thinking and support career development.
Convened by the United States Studies Centre, WITA members come together each quarter for exclusive, off-the-record roundtables with senior Australian and US leaders and experts. These conversations offer members the opportunity to engage directly with influential voices across the alliance, gain perspectives beyond their own sector and build a deeper understanding of the strategic issues shaping Australia’s future.
If you are an emerging leader looking to expand your network, sharpen your strategic perspective and play a greater role in shaping the Australia-US alliance, we want to hear from you!
Applications close 4 September 2026
CEO Dr Michel Green speaks at Nikkei Asia Forum
Last week, USSC CEO Dr Michael J. Green joined leaders at the Nikkei Asia Forum Sydney to examine how Australia and Japan can navigate this changing environment — and turn one of the Indo-Pacific’s closest partnerships into greater economic resilience and strategic advantage. Dr Green was on a panel with former Prime Minister Scott Morrison AC, Assistant Secretary of the Economic Security Branch at DFAT Anthony Aspen in a conversation moderated by Asia Editor of the Financial Times Robin Harding. The forum brought together business leaders, policymakers and experts to explore the forces shaping the next phase of Australia–Japan cooperation.
Recent content from us
POLLING REPORTAllies and partners poll 2026: Alliances hold, views fragmentIn the 2026 Allies and partners poll, authors Senior Research Associate Samuel Garrett, Senior Research Associate Ava Kalinauskas and Director of Research Jared Mondschein note that while views of alliances between the Quad countries remain stable, even following a year of geopolitical turmoil, views on China are diverging. Nevertheless, support for AUKUS and ANZUS remains consistent. The polling includes more than 1,000 responses from each of the four Quad countries. |
REPORTAdvancing trilateral integrated air and missile defence between Australia, Japan and the United StatesTo consider the state of play for integrated air and missile defence in the Indo-Pacific and workshop solutions for collective defence, the USSC convened experts from Australia, Japan and the United States and published their recommendations in this new report. |
REPORTSovereignty through managed dependence: Australia’s strategy for frontier AI accessIn this report Hannah Merchant, Seasonal Fellow with the Centre for Governance of AI, notes that while Australia is a leading destination for data centres globally, it is at risk of being left behind on AI unless they pivot their AI strategy from pursuing self-sufficiency to accepting managed dependence. |
PODCASTUSSC Briefing Room | USSC at 20: What’s changed and where to from here?The USSC founding CEO Dr Alan Dupont and current CEO Dr Michael Green joined Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck on the podcast to discuss the journey to establishing the USSC, what has changed since then and where things are headed. |
BRIEFLiberty Yards: US maritime revival as an alliance projectWhat would it take to restore US maritime power? USSC American-Australian Association Fellow Dr Mary Bridges proposes a bold new model built on allies and industrial renewal in this new brief. |
PODCASTThe Asia Chessboard | From INDOPACOM to PACOM: Is There a Strategic Backstory?In this episode, Dr Michael Green is joined by Dr Arzan Tarapore, Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, and Visiting Fellow at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy. They unpack the Pentagon's decision to revert the US INDOPACOM name back to PACOM. They explore the strategic and political rationale behind the change; its implications for security dynamics in the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific. |
Upcoming event
Tibet at the epicentre: Geopolitics, religion and climate security
With much of the world’s attention focused on global flashpoints, Tibet’s uncertain future is often sidelined in geopolitical conversations. Yet the Tibetan plateau holds major implications for the region’s balance of power, climate security, and human rights around the world.
What is the geopolitical significance of Tibet in the 21st century? How could Tibet’s environmental future affect millions of lives across Asia? And what does Tibet’s political future mean for religious freedom and international law around the world?
To answer these questions, please join us for a discussion with Tibet Policy Institute Senior Research Fellow Dr Tenzin Desal, UTS Associate Professor in China Studies Dr Feng Chongyi and La Trobe Asia Director Dr Ruth Gamble, in conversation with United States Studies Centre (USSC) CEO Dr Michael Green.
DATE AND TIME
14 September 2026
6.00–7.30pm AEST
WHERE
Level 5 Function Room, The Michael Spence Building (F23) at the Corner of Eastern Avenue and City Road, The University of Sydney
DETAILS
Free but registration is essential
Manage your email preferences | Forward this email to a friend
United States Studies Centre
Institute Building (H03)
University of Sydney NSW 2006
