No images? Click here MAY 2024Trump 2.0 vs Biden 2.0The early clarity around who the nominees will be in the 2024 US presidential election is a benefit to allies and partners around the world who want to prepare for the next US administration. Importantly, this year we are assessing two candidates who both have prior track records, which gives US allies and partners a solid foundation for extrapolating the trajectory of the next four years. This week at a special event at Parliament House, the United States Studies Centre (USSC) launched its election year Red Book | Blue Book: A guide to the next US administration. The report looks at what to expect under a potential second Trump or Biden administration and what countries around the world need to know in order to prepare for either outcome. Fourteen USSC experts provide their analysis across everything from climate change to dynamics with Congress. Yet one theme that may surprise many is that, beneath the stark differences in ideology and personality, on foreign policy – particularly regarding the Indo-Pacific – the structural dynamics around issues like AUKUS and tariffs will stay the same regardless of which candidate wins the election in November. But even with a prior track record for both candidates, the guilty verdict in former president Trump's first criminal trial will test norms and systems and will continue to break new ground for presidential firsts. USSC experts will continue to provide their analysis of this changing state of play. Check out their interviews on ABC Radio and ABC News for more. As much as the election has been a major focus, this month continued a fast-pace of activity across the Centre with two visiting fellows, policy roundtables and even a trivia night for our study abroad students. This pace will continue in the lead-up to the election and we look forward to continue our work in finding solutions to alliance issues throughout this pivotal year. Election watch 2024 159 days to the US presidential electionFormer president Trump's guilty verdict in his first criminal trial today signals a turning point in the US election. But that trial is far from over. USSC analysis looks at how this might affect the polls and why it will actually be the Appeals Court that matters. Analysis
Key dates
Looking for a US election expert? Contact us on ussc.media@sydney.edu.au. NEWS Two Women in the Alliance visiting fellows in MayUSSC was thrilled to welcome two visiting fellows in May, Senior Fellow in the Energy Security and Climate Change Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies Jane Nakano and Senior Fellow and Director in the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security Stacie Pettyjohn. Both fellows ran workshops with the Women in the Alliance Network, in addition to other roundtables. Funding to bring these experts to Australia was provided by the US State Department as part of their support of the Women in the Alliance initiative. Jane Nakano joined the event, Climate transition heating up: The race for the clean energy transition in the Indo-Pacific. This event also featured Australia’s Ambassador for Climate Change Kristin Tilley, USSC Non-Resident Senior Fellow Meg McDonald and USSC Director of Economic Security Hayley Channer. You can watch a recording of the event here. Red Book | Blue Book launched at Parliament HouseRed Book | Blue Book: A guide to the next US administration was launched at a special breakfast event at Parliament House with the Parliamentary Friendship Group on the US. Co-chairs of the Parliamentary Friendship Group, Melissa McIntosh MP and Luke Gosling MP, shared opening remarks ahead of a panel discussion featuring USSC CEO Dr Michael Green, Director of Research Jared Mondschein, Director of Foreign Policy and Defence Prof. Peter Dean, Director of Economic Security Hayley Channer and Senior Economic Adviser Dr John Kunkel. This was followed by an event at The Mint in Sydney the following night with two panels looking at both the domestic and international implications of each administration. Report editor Jared Mondschein did interviews on ABC News and Sky News. Dr Michael Green published an op-ed based on his chapter on Asian alliances in the Australian Financial Review. Event looks at opportunities for collaboration on democracy supportFollowing the release of Aligning values and interests: Japanese and Australian democracy support in the Pacific and Southeast Asia, USSC hosted a special event with report editor Dr Lavina Lee, report contributor Dr John Lee and USSC CEO Dr Michael Green in conversation with USSC Director of Research Jared Mondschein. The event looked at the opportunities that exist for Australia and Japan to work together and what the role of the United States should be in their efforts. This builds on the work of the report in thoroughly mapping the convergences in policy priorities, democracy and aid work in the region to develop a rubric for potential next steps. Study abroad trivia nightThe USSC-UCLA Study Abroad Program recently hosted a fantastic trivia night. Held at Hermann's Bar at the University of Sydney, the event featured American-themed trivia led by USSC’s Associate Professor David Smith. Attendees included USYD students heading to UCLA, American Studies students from USYD, and UCLA and USC students on exchange at USYD. They enjoyed a barbecue and complimentary drinks while networking. A highlight of the evening was the USSC-UCLA scholarship prize ceremony, hosted by Dr Aaron Nyerges, former USSC academic director and now a senior lecturer. It was a night of celebration, connection, and friendly competition. ![]() Democracy roundtable with the Australian Electoral CommissionEarlier in the month, USSC hosted Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers and a delegation from the Australian Electoral Commission for a roundtable. The discussion explored the state of play around electoral integrity, foreign interference and misinformation, with a special consideration of current US trends and their implications for Australia. Debut of YouTube shortsThis month, USSC released their first YouTube shorts, with bite-sized clips of USSC Briefing Room episodes. Popular shorts include: USSC perspectivesThe US election was a big focus for the month, but USSC experts took a deeper look at the implications for international relationships and trade under either Biden or Trump.
EVENT Final few tickets remain for Economic security in a turbulent worldThe last few tickets are available for the Economic security in a turbulent world conference in June. We have 25 leading experts from around the world confirmed to speak at this first-of-its-kind conference. When: 19-20 June 2024 Featured speakers include:
Full list of speakers and conference agenda available here. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Videos and podcastsThe latest recordings from our webinars are available on our YouTube channel and USSC Live podcast. Find all of the Centre’s podcast recordings here. You can now listen to USSC Briefing Room on YouTube.
ARE YOU GETTING "THE 46TH"? "The 46th" is our weekly wrap of US politics and policy news, analysis and events. Get it delivered straight to your inbox every Wednesday! Manage your email preferences | Forward this email to a friend United States Studies
Centre |