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January 2023
New year, new alliance focus
Alliances are a hot topic as we enter the new year. From Washington to Brussels and Canberra there is intense focus on how alliances across the Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific can continue supporting Ukraine and addressing the ongoing security of Taiwan.
Politicians in DC have debated the costs of military assistance to Ukraine, but as I noted in an interview with Peter Hartcher, the political and international editor for The Sydney Morning Herald, support for US alliances in both the Atlantic and the Pacific is at an all-time high.
I was recently invited to Honolulu to help run the INDOPACOM conference of US Ambassadors across the Indo-Pacific and heard ambitious goals for building even strong alliances and partnerships in the year ahead.
But this will take work and require some hard decisions. In a recent report, A New Age for Deterrence and the Australia-US Alliance, the Centre looked at how our traditional alliance structure has had to transform in the face of new and growing regional challenges. We also unpacked the significance of the Australia-UK AUKMIN defence meetings.
Our new economic security team have hit the ground running with a stark assessment of Australia's security landscape and the need to harness new forms of financing for national security. In the months ahead we will unpack AUKUS to examine what steps are necessary to achieve the right transfer of technology, diplomatic outreach in the region, and effective delivery of near-term deterrence capabilities.
We will also host a summit with the US National Endowment on Democracy of leading thought leaders from across the region to consider what we can do as allies and partners to reinforce democratic governance in the Indo-Pacific. And we look forward to welcoming students back to the campus at the University of Sydney so that we can engage on these and other topics ranging from American history to rock and roll in our American Studies classes.
Finally, I'd like to congratulate Professor Brendon O'Connor whose scholarly work was recognised with an academic promotion to full professor rank. Brendon is now Professor of US Politics and US Foreign Relations, a well deserved appointment.
Sincerely,
Dr Michael Green
CEO, United States Studies Centre.
EVENTS
Meet the Hamilton Australia Cast
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s widely acclaimed rap retelling of the story of America’s first treasurer, Alexander Hamilton, effectively scrubbed the moniker of “forgotten founding father” when it became one of the most successful Broadway musicals of all time. When Hamilton launched in Sydney in 2021, it was the only place in the world the musical was being performed.
Now, as Hamilton commences its final weeks in Australia, the United States Studies Centre is delighted to welcome Jason Arrow (Alexander Hamilton), Akina Edmonds (Angelica Schuyler), Matu Ngaropo (George Washington) and producer Michael Cassel for an exclusive discussion and Q&A. What are the similarities and differences in the American and Australian founding stories? How did the Australian performance differ from other locations? How did the cast rehearse with the Hamilton creative team in the midst of the pandemic?
To discuss these questions, the producer and members of the Hamilton cast will join USSC CEO Dr Michael Green, Non-Resident Senior Fellow Bruce Wolpe and Research Associate Victoria Cooper for a conversation about the Hamilton Australia experience. There will be an opportunity for audience questions, so register now to attend and for your chance to ask a question of the Hamilton cast.
WHEN
SYDNEY | Tuesday, 7 February, 11:00am-12:00pm AEDT
COST
Free, but registration is essential
NEWS
Report: A new age for deterrence and the Australia-US alliance
USSC released a new report looking at how Australia and the United States can advance an integrated and collective strategy to deter aggression from a revisionist China.
The report, by USSC Non-Resident Senior Fellow Ashley Townsend, Research Fellow Tom Corben, and the Pacific Forum's David Santoro, notes how Australia and the United States have never been more closely aligned on mutual security in the Asia-Pacific.
This is in spite of the fact that Canberra and Washington have different views on the extent to which armed forces should prioritise shaping the regional strategic environment and preparing for high-end military contingencies.
2023 welcome fest!
Welcome to Semester 1, 2023! It's time to kick off your university life at the United States Studies Centre. During the University of Sydney’s Welcome Program, the USSC will be hosting its very own stall.
Stock up on freebies, get advice from our friendly team, and learn something new! We can’t wait to see you there.
Staff News | Congratulations to Professor Brendon O'Connor!
Congratulations to Professor Brendon O'Connor who has been promoted to full professor rank, a well-deserved recognition of his scholarly contributions. Professor O'Connor is now Professor of US Politics and US Foreign Relations and will continue working on two new books: “Conservative International Relations: Reagan to Trump” and “The Ugly American: Jefferson to Trump.”
The Centre also welcomed Research Associate Tom Barrett who will be working in our new Emerging Technology division alongside the program's director Miah Hammond-Errey.
USSC CEO Mike Green's book on Japan made Foreign Affairs’ Best Books of 2022.
Now hiring | Engagement Manager and two Research Associates
Engagement Manager | Applications close 5 February 2023
As the Engagement Manager for the United States Studies Centre, you will establish effective, stakeholder-focused relationships with corporate partners, contributing to the broader impact, influence and sustainability of USSC.
2 x Research Associates | Applications close 31 January 2023
The United States Studies Centre is recruiting two Research Associates to contribute to the Centre's research:
- The Economic Security Program Research Associate will assist the Economic Security Program Director with all aspects of their program, providing research, policy outreach and administrative support.
- The Cross-Centre Research Associate will assist the USSC Research Director with all aspects of USSC research programs, providing research, policy outreach and administrative support.
USSC perspectives
'Documentgate', as the discovery of classified documents at President Joe Biden's home and a think-tank as well as the home of former Republican Vice President Mike Pence has become known, dominated news headlines in the United States this month.
This came amid the backdrop of 15 attempts to have the Republican nominee for Speaker of the House pass Congress.
The USSC published a number of pieces in light of both major events as well as developments on the AUKUS front.
- The nation must mobilise its private investors for future defence by Hayley Channer and Dr John Kunkel, first published in the Australian Financial Review
- Fight shows drama of seeking power without purpose by Stephen Loosley, first published in The Australian
- Australia must continue to stare down Chinese aggression in the South China Sea with brave bipartisan visits to Taiwan by Stephen Loosley first published in Sky News Australia.
In the news
President Biden document probe unlikely to lead to criminal charges | Non-Resident Senior Fellow Bruce Wolpe interviewed on ABC's The World Today about the ongoing scandal surrounding the discovery of classified documents from Joe Biden's time as vice president. LISTEN TO IT HERE
Crucial year looms for Joe Biden, Donald Trump as jostling begins over 2024 presidential election | USSC associate professor David Smith tells the Daily Telegraph the “bitter divide” in the Republican Party means they will struggle to pass any major legislation through Congress. READ MORE HERE
Biden leaving documents behind is deeply embarrassing | The USSC's Stephen Loosley speaks to Sky News Australia about the political damage dealt by the discovery of classified documents in President Joe Biden's home. LISTEN TO IT HERE
Kevin McCarthy finally voted in as Speaker of the House | Bruce Wolpe interviewed on 2SER about the mammoth 15 rounds of voting to elect a new house speaker. LISTEN TO IT HERE
Secret briefings triggered US senators’ dramatic AUKUS intervention | The USSC's Tom Corben featured in an article for The Sydney Morning Herald. READ MORE HERE
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Podcast | The Asia Chessboard
In this episode of the Asia Chessboard podcast, hosts USSC CEO Mike Green and Freeman Chair in China Studies at CSIS Jude Blanchette chat to Christopher B. Johnstone, former National Security Council director for Asia under President Biden and director for Japan and Oceanian affairs under President Obama who now serves as senior adviser and Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. LISTEN TO IT HERE
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United States Studies
Centre
Institute Building H03
University of Sydney NSW 2006
