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June 2022
New CEO Dr Michael Green reflects on his first weeks at the Centre
It has been an exciting time since I landed in Sydney. Aside from looking at schools and homes I have met with strategic thinkers in Sydney and Canberra about the Centre’s mission and impact. Two themes come through in almost every discussion: first, with growing geopolitical tensions and uncertainty, Australia needs the alliance more than ever; and second, watching the January 6 Commission hearings in the US Congress, there are questions about the future of American politics and democracy. These go to the core of why the United States Studies Centre was established in 2007.
In my farewell round of visits with friends in the US Congress I heard enthusiasm for my new role and for everything Australian. “We have no better ally,” was a common refrain from Republicans and Democrats alike. The appointment of Caroline Kennedy as ambassador and the early kinship between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Albanese point to our strong alignment.
But at the same time the vivid details coming out in the January 6 Commission hearings shake even those of us who believed the separation of powers enshrined in the US Constitution could withstand any challenge, domestic or foreign. While we don’t pass judgment, we do have an obligation to provide factual analysis and invite diverse views so others can make their own judgments.
While we analyse and provide insights about the United States, the Centre is also well positioned to seek policy innovations and solutions for the alliance. You will see us expand our roster of experts and distinguished visitors and launch new initiatives around defence, diplomacy, trade, and technology that bring together stakeholders on both sides of the Pacific. Innovative think tanks will position themselves at the intersection of policy problems and provide analytical solutions, and convening opportunities to build consensus around approaches that work for government, the private sector, and the public. Moving forward, you should expect no less from the Centre.
In addition to an ambitious research agenda, I am excited to build upon the Centre’s successful academic programs at the University of Sydney through engagement with our experts and visiting fellows and enhancement of the student experience as we emerge from the pandemic.
There are great opportunities ahead for the Centre. I look forward to updating you all on our progress.
Dr Michael Green
CEO, United States Studies Centre
NEWS
USSC Board movements
The USSC is pleased to announce the appointment of the Centre’s new CEO, Dr Michael Green, and the University of Sydney’s Kirsten Andrews to its Board of Directors. Dr Green is regarded as one of the world’s most renowned Indo-Pacific experts while Ms Andrews brings a wealth of experience as Vice-Principal (External Relations). USSC Chairman Mark Baillie thanked the outgoing board member Duncan Ivison for his service.
Welcome Umber and Gopika, farewell Ashley
Umber Latafat joins the Centre as Executive and Research Assistant to new CEO Dr Michael Green. Umber worked as a Deputy Manager in the Office of Global Engagement at Habib University in Pakistan. Gopika Bindu Nair joins USSC’s Engagement and Impact team as the new Marketing and Outreach Officer. Previously, Gopika was a Research Associate at Mizuho India Japan Study Centre at the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore. After five years Director of the Foreign Policy and Defence Program, Ashley Townshend has joined the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace as Senior Fellow for Indo-Pacific Security. He will remain affiliated with the Centre as a Non-Resident Senior Fellow. The USSC will announce the appointment of a new Foreign Policy and Defence Program director soon.
Welcoming our new US interns
The USSC welcomes two interns from the University of Utah who say their work experience at the Centre gives them the chance to go beyond learning theory in a classroom. Buran de Melo is a senior at the University majoring in Peace and Conflict Studies and International Relations, with minors in Political Science, Middle East Studies, and Linguistics. Azra Helm is a junior majoring in Economics, Political Science, and International Studies with a minor in Mandarin Chinese. Both are planning for a future career in diplomacy.
USSC perspectives
The growing importance of the US-Australia alliance in the Indo-Pacific, Caroline Kennedy's appointment as US Ambassador to Australia and the contentious issue of US gun-control reform were among the key focus topics by our USSC experts in the Australian media.
- Security partnership stood the test of time by Dr Michael Green first published in The Australian
- Magic of Camelot comes to Australia by Stephen Loosley first published in The Australian
- Will the latest shooting of US children finally lead to gun reform? Sadly, that’s unlikely by Associate Professor Brendon O’Connor first published in The Conversation
- Australia and South Korea: Resetting middle power ambitions by Dr Peter Lee first published in The Diplomat
- Before you say ‘I told you so’ to the unvaccinated by Victoria Cooper
US Politics: The World of Washington
Whether you are a US politics junkie or not, this timely unit adds great value to a plethora of University of Sydney course offerings when it starts in Semester 2. Providing a comprehensive understanding of American domestic politics, this unit explores the US system of government in detail and the ideas that underlie it. Led by Dr Gorana Grgic, it will examine the relationship between the President and Congress, as well as presidential elections, and domestic issues, such as race, inequality, law and order, and immigration policy. Read more here.
In the news
Experts from the USSC featured in the media on topics such as China's Indo-Pacific expansion, the Quad summit, the US gun-control issue and the January 6 Committee on the Capitol riots.
How can we resist Xi Jingping’s ambitions
As China expands its military influence across the Indo Pacific, these times of complexity and unbridled strategic competition. USSC CEO Dr Michael Green tells The Australian that Australia is in the crosshairs because it is a key US ally, in China’s view part of the West, and a democracy. READ MORE HERE
Why the Quad became Biden’s democracy summit
The recent Quad Summit was the culmination of an intense two weeks of high-level Indo-Pacific diplomacy by the Biden Administration. USSC Senior Lecturer Gorana Grgic spoke to ABC TV about the outcomes of the recent Quad meeting and especially what it meant for President Biden. WATCH HERE
Australia will monitor South China Sea after military close encounter
Australia Defence Minister Richard Marles says Australia will continue to exercise its right of passage through the South China Sea despite opposition from China. USSC Research Associate Tom Corben tells Voice of America that Canberra is standing firm against Chinese belligerence. READ MORE HERE
Texas school shooting: US politicians point to Australia on gun reform
In the wake of the deadliest school shooting in the past decade in the USA, both sides of American politics are pointing at Australia. However, USSC Associate Professor David Smith tells 9news.com.au there was all sorts of crazy misinformation claiming that Australians are living in fear since the gun buy-back scheme. READ MORE HERE
How likely are charges against Donald Trump over the Capitol Riot
The public hearings of the House Committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riots has focused on former President Donald Trump’s direct involvement in inciting the violence. USSC Senior Fellow Bruce Wolpe explains to ABC TV the possibility of Trump being charged for conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 US Federal Election. WATCH HERE
Then-foreign affairs minister addresses USSC event
In April, then-minister for foreign affairs, Senator Marise Payne, addressed a USSC event on the eve of the 70th anniversary of the ANZUS Treaty entering into force. Under the title, Resilience, relationships, and rules: Australian foreign policy in an uncertain world, Senator Payne said for 70 years, the Australia-US alliance gave the nation confidence and “assisted in enabling us to flourish and prosper. The Canberra Times covered the address.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Event replays
The latest videos from our webinars and events are available on our YouTube channel. Catch up on these events through the USSC Live podcast and on YouTube. Here are some of the greatest hits from recent webinars and events:
- What does a Kennedy in Canberra mean for Australia? with USSC CEO Dr Mike Green, Non-Resident Senior Fellows Stephen Loosley AM and Bruce Wolpe and Research Associate Victoria Cooper.
- What’s next for NATO in the Indo-Pacific after Ukraine? with USSC Senior Lecturer in US Politics and Foreign Policy Dr Gorana Grgic in conversation with USSC CEO Dr Mike Green.
Congress, the White House and democracy at the crossroads with Dr Larry Sabato, one of America's most distinguished political scientists in conversation with USSC's Non-Resident Senior Fellow Bruce Wolpe and Research Associate Victoria Cooper.
Resilience, relationships and rules: Australian foreign policy in an uncertain world featuring Senator the Hon Marise Payne, and former Minister for Foreign Affairs with USSC CEO Dr Michael Green.
Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to the USSC YouTube channel to get notifications as soon as new videos are uploaded.
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United States Studies
Centre
Institute Building H03
University of Sydney NSW 2006
