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February 2023
Importance of alliances underscored, in big month for the Centre
In a month that saw both President Biden's State of the Union and the one year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, alliances were front of mind in all facets of the United States Studies Centre (USSC).
Beyond alliances in the traditional sense, USSC has been taking a focused look at the different areas of crossover between countries, industries and people to identify the most important challenges faced in our region.
On Friday, USSC hosted its first roundtable with Austrade to look at possibilities for venture capital and national security, while teasing out the major issues with an international group of decision makers across government and industry. There is tremendous interest in these topics, but also tremendous challenges. But bringing people together to facilitate a solutions-focused conversation is central to our theory of impact at the Centre.
We continued to host exceptional visitors to the Centre, including CSIS President and CEO John Hamre and James Clarke Chace Professor of Foreign Affairs and the Humanities at Bard College Walter Russell Mead. In addition, we enjoyed a vibrant roundtable discussion with Bechtel Group CEO Brendan Bechtel and his team.
This month we also welcomed students back to campus and hosted a special "Chat with a diplomat" session for students with a diplomat from the US Consulate in Sydney.
It is an exciting time for the Centre and we are looking forward to what will be a busy, and fulfilling, year.
EVENTS
Pride and the alliance: Alan Joyce and retired Ambassador John Berry in conversation with Annabel Crabb
The United States and Australia both followed circuitous routes to marriage equality. When US Ambassador to Australia John Berry (ret'd) first arrived in Australia in 2013, he was the first openly-gay US ambassador to a G20 country.
However, not only was same-sex marriage not legal in Australia, it was not yet legal in all of the United States. In Australia, Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce AC was one of the most influential voices in the marriage equality campaign.
As Sydney welcomes WorldPride 2023, the United States Studies Centre is honoured to welcome Qantas CEO Alan Joyce AC and former US Ambassador to Australia John Berry in conversation with the ABC’s political commentator Annabel Crabb.
WHEN
SYDNEY | Thursday, 2 March, 3:00pm-4:00pm AEDT
COST
Free, but registration is essential
NEWS
2023 students return to campus
This month, students returned to campus, with numbers of American Studies enrolments set to break a new record. During the University of Sydney’s Welcome Program, the USSC hosted its own stall. We would like to thank all of our staff involved in this effort and look forward to welcoming new students this semester.
We here at the USSC would like to welcome students back, and wish everyone the best of luck with their studies!
And our UCLA program is back!
Years of closedowns and uncertainties seem to have come to an end (hopefully!) and we are so happy to announce we are officially back with our UCLA program.
This unique mobility program will give you the option to live and study in California for 6 weeks during our winter break.
Brief: Secrecy, sovereignty and sharing: how data and emerging technologies are transforming intelligence
A brief by the USSC's Director of Emerging Technology, Dr Miah Hammond-Errey, looked at how emerging technologies are redefining national security and the way nations protect individual rights and freedoms.
This policy brief considers the implications of data and data-driven emerging technologies for Australia’s National Intelligence Community (NIC).
The report was covered in The Australian and The Guardian.
Now hiring | HR Manager, Engagement Manager and Research Associate
HR Manager
The HR Manager will play a key role in supporting the Centre to attract and retain the best talent in our field, provide a fulfilling career path for staff, and promote a culture of excellence, inclusion and collaboration.
Engagement Manager
The Engagement Manager will establish effective, stakeholder-focused relationships with corporate partners, contributing to the broader impact, influence and sustainability of USSC.
Research Associate
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.
USSC perspectives
The last month has been a particularly good one for the United States in its pursuit of foreign policy objectives in the Indo-Pacific though as our CEO Dr Michael Green noted, the Biden administration's efforts in the region, "one good month does not make for a complete or even successful strategy."
- Biden had a good January in Asia by Dr Michael Green, first published in Korea JoongAng Daily.
- Are our intelligence agencies becoming too secretive? by Dr Miah Hammond-Errey, first published in The Australian.
- Biden will say the state of the union is strong, but that’s a stretch by Bruce Wolpe, first published in The Sydney Morning Herald.
- The Future of US trade engagement in the Indo-Pacific by Ava Kalinauskas.
In the news
Escalating tensions due to a spy balloon, the 2024 race and the one year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine drove the news this month. The USSC provided analysis in both radio interviews, TV interviews and written pieces in a number of outlets this month, including:
United States tells China to stay out of Ukraine | The latest in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine from a United States perspective, with Research Fellow Tom Corben, first published by the ABC's The World Today.
Chinese balloon part of fleet that spied on over five continents | Professor Brendon O'Connor speaks to Al Jazeera media about the implications of China's alleged spy balloon's visit over US airspace. Watch it here on Al Jazeera.
Call for Australian spy agencies to come out of the shadows | Director of Emerging Technology Dr Miah Hammond-Errey discusses the impact of big data on intelligence gathering and secrecy. Read it here in The Guardian.
How long can Labor hold back the dragon? | CEO Dr Mike Green discusses the ongoing rise of China and what challenges that may lead to, particularly for Australia. Read it here in The Australian.
The incredible life and legacy of Jimmy Carter | A look back on a key presidency, with Non-Resident Senior Fellow Bruce Wolpe, first published in the ABC.
Nikki Haley takes on Donald Trump for 2024 US Republican nomination | The potential disruption that this Republican candidate brings to Trump's plans, with Director of Research Jared Mondschein on ABC News' The World.
As China’s dominance in space grows, NASA deputy urges Australia to ‘go faster’ | Non-Resident Senior Fellow Stephen Loosley, on the space race and how it involves the great powers. Read it here in The Age.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
ICYMI
February was a busy period for the Centre, with multiple events:
- Meet the Hamilton Australia cast | The producer and members of Hamilton Australia joined USSC CEO Dr Michael Green, Non-Resident Senior Fellow Bruce Wolpe and Research Associate Victoria Cooper for a conversation about the Hamilton Australia
experience. WATCH IT HERE
- State of the Union 2023: USSC pre-game analysis | The United States Studies Centre hosted a webinar featuring USSC politics experts Associate Professor David Smith and Research Associate Victoria Cooper in conversation with Director of Research Jared Mondschein. WATCH IT HERE
- A conversation with Walter Russell Mead | A conversation with Walter Russell Mead. The United States Studies Centre was delighted to host foreign policy expert and esteemed academic, Walter Russell Mead in conversation with USSC Professor of US Politics and US Foreign Relations, Brendon O’Connor. WATCH IT HERE
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United States Studies
Centre
Institute Building H03
University of Sydney NSW 2006
