AUGUST 2024

Action-packed August

As we prepare to head into a significant month for the Australia-US alliance (the 73^rd anniversary of the ANZUS Treaty and 3^rd anniversary of AUKUS), the United States Studies Centre (USSC) at the University of Sydney continues to forge and cultivate new and existing alliance relationships across the Indo-Pacific region.

We welcomed 3 exceptional visiting fellows this month, former congresswoman Barbara Comstock, the New York Times’ White House and National Security Correspondent David Sanger and the Center for Strategic and International Studies Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group Director and International Security Program Senior Fellow Cynthia Cook. These experts hosted a range of public events, roundtables and workshops, marking a high-tempo, high-impact month for the Centre.

We had a special focus on up-and-coming leaders in Australia and around the region this month through the JF-USSC Japan-Australia Dialogue and Exchange for Next Generation (JADE) fellows and hosting our latest Women in the Alliance and Next Generation workshops. Participants in all 3 initiatives had the opportunity to learn from leading experts in alliance issues and to develop their own networks and skills for professional growth.

To ensure you are across the latest USSC analysis there are 3 upcoming initiatives worth noting. On 6 September we launch our 2024 Allies and Partners Poll. This will feature our latest findings on alliance-issues across Australia, Japan and the United States. Following that, we launch our first Geopolitics and Business Sprint course with the University of Sydney Business School. This is an excellent opportunity to develop and apply your own framework for assessing geopolitical risk and how you can make discerning decisions in your own business. Finally, 2 weeks after the election we are welcoming DC insiders and leaders from around the region for the second Sydney International Strategy Forum to help us understand the incoming US administration and what it means for allies and partners in the region. This conference is not to be missed. Register by tomorrow to secure a ticket at the early bird rate.

Election watch 2024

67 days to the US presidential election

While there were fewer dramatic turns in the election in August, the month became about breaking records as Vice President Harris went on to secure the nomination, breaking multiple fundraising records and making history in the process.

Democratic National Convention

• VIDEO | The Democratic National Convention feat. Planet America's Chas Licciardello with Dr Kathryn Schumaker, Jared Mondschein and Mari Koeck.
• COMMENTARY | Notes on the Democratic National Convention by Bruce Wolpe
• INTERVIEW | The contrast between the DNC and RNC with Jared Mondschein

Kamala Harris

• INTERVIEW | Is America ready for a Kamala-in-chief? with Associate Professor David Smith
• INTERVIEW | Kamala Harris' DNC speech and path forward with Dr Kathryn Schumaker
• INTERVIEW | Kamala Harris' road ahead with Dr Michael Green

Donald Trump

• VIDEO | Inside the Republican Party: In conversation with Barbara Comstock
• INTERVIEW | Donald Trump (re)plays the race card with Associate Professor David Smith

Tim Walz

• COMMENTARY | Minnesota’s Tim Walz a formidable asset in race for Oval Office by Dr Michael Green
• INTERVIEW | Kamala Harris’ VP pick Tim Walz exudes working class appeal with Dr Kathryn Schumaker
• INTERVIEW | Who is Tim Walz? with Associate Professor David Smith

Looking for a US election expert? Contact us on ussc.media@sydney.edu.au.

NEWS

Women in the Alliance Network accepting applications for 2025

Applications are now open to join the second Women in the Alliance Network. This group of emerging leaders working across industries related to the Australia-US partnership will meet quarterly for closed-door roundtables with distinguished US and Australian experts and bespoke professional development opportunities to accelerate their careers and amplify their expertise.

In addition, during their one-year tenure, members of the Network may be invited to publish commissioned research, connect with female mentors, attend public events, and participate in issues-based engagements related to their area of expertise.

Members of this group will join a passionate cohort of diverse female leaders contributing to addressing challenges and pursuing opportunities facing the Australia-US relationship and the Indo-Pacific region.  

Visit here for eligibility criteria and how to apply.

Follow-up to groundbreaking AUKUS report released

Following on from the success of their Breaking the barriers: Reforming US export controls to realise the potential of AUKUS report, Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute Dr William Greenwalt and USSC Research Fellow Tom Corben released a follow-up based on the significant legislative and regulatory changes implemented over the past year. AUKUS enablers? Assessing defence trade control reforms in Australia and the United States analyses the impact of the reforms, but also examines critical shortfalls that are essential to address to turn AUKUS from concept to reality.

This report was featured in PoliticoPro’s Defense Newsletter and Breaking Defense.

First USSC sprint course about to launch

It’s a disruptive time to do business.

Leaders and executives have told us that geopolitical risk is one of the most significant concerns facing businesses today. To help find solutions to these challenges, USSC is teaming up with Sydney Executive Plus for the first time to release a two-week microcredential to support leaders through this challenge.

Led by USSC experts, in partnership with specialists from KPMG’s Geopolitics Hub, the Geopolitics and Business Sprint will help you turn the complex geopolitical landscape into opportunity.

Join USSC CEO Dr Michael Green and USSC Director of Economic Security Hayley Channer for this two-week, online microcredential.

USSC UCLA Study Abroad cohort is back

Our USSC Study Abroad cohort at UCLA arrived back in Sydney in early August after an incredible 6 weeks of living and studying in Los Angeles. The students had an amazing time filled with fun, making new friends and enjoying unforgettable experiences, including trips to Disneyland and Warner Bros. Studios organised by the USSC. One student shared, "Disneyland was such a magical experience, especially for someone who had never been before." The group was surrounded by international and American students, eager to connect and learn more about Australia, and of course, they studied hard, too! "The professors at UCLA were the most amazing people and educators I have met," the student recalled. 

Welcome back!

2024 JADE fellows conclude Australia tour

On 9 August, the Australia tour for the inaugural Japanese JADE fellows concluded. USSC partnered with the Japan Foundation (affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan) to run the JADE program. The theme for 2024 is maritime security and Australia-Japan defence relations.

The inaugural program in Australia was carefully designed by USSC CEO Dr Michael Green and Director of Foreign Policy and Defence Professor Peter Dean so the fellows could get diverse perspectives from both the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean.

In Sydney, they had roundtable meetings with USSC, Lowy institute, Japan Bank of International Cooperation and visited HMAS Kuttabul (Fleet Base). In Canberra, they visited the Office of National Intelligence, the Department of Defence, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Embassy of Japan, the Australian National University, and the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. They also networked with the Australian JADE fellows. In Perth, they met with the Perth USAsia Centre, Defence & Security Institute (DSI) at the University of Western Australia, Defence West, and the Japanese Consul General, Dr Naito.

USSC will be publishing analysis from the inaugural JADE fellows starting in October.

Experts debate: Does AUKUS deliver value for money?

In the latest instalment of its Debate Paper series, Does AUKUS Pillar I provide capability ‘bang for buck?, the United States Studies Centre (USSC) at the University of Sydney invited two leading defence experts to assess whether a fleet of AUKUS submarines offer the ADF value for money and if cheaper alternatives may have been overlooked.

Peter Jennings AO PSM, Director of Strategic Analysis Australia, argues that the cost of the SSNs is ambiguous and threatens to weaken the ADF. ‘Plan B’ alternatives – like acquiring B-21 stealth long-range strike bombers – could strengthen the ADF much faster, well before the delivery of the SSNs.

For the affirmative, Jennifer Parker, Expert Associate at Australian National University’s National Security College, says that $368 billion is a significant overestimate which needs to be put into perspective against expected increases in the defence budget. Though there are cheaper options to SSNs, none would provide the capability or deterrence critical to Australia’s maritime security.

Read here.

New report on Australia and regional nuclear dynamics

While Japan and South Korea have long relied upon the protection of US extended nuclear deterrence, a new report by Research Fellow Dr Chris Watterson warns that Australia ought to pay closer attention to how nuclear dynamics in Northeast Asia evolve in the coming years amid a deteriorating security environment. Australia and the emerging nuclear order in Northeast Asia argues that Australia must prepare for alternative strategic futures characterised by ‘nuclear sharing.’

Discuss your future at Open Day: Explore American Studies with USSC

Join us at USYD Open Day to finish August on a high note! Starting at 9am on 31 August in MacLaurin Hall, within the Social and Political Sciences section, the USSC will be there to showcase what makes American Studies unique. It’s a fantastic opportunity for high school students and their parents to explore the university, attend mini-lectures, and receive academic advice. With tours, fun activities, and great weather expected, it's the perfect chance to experience campus life and learn more about your future major. Don’t miss out on this exciting event!

USSC and McKell Institute run track 1.5 workshop on AUKUS in NSW

On Monday 26th August, the USSC partnered with the McKell Institute to co-host a closed-door, one-day track 1.5 workshop discussing the role the state of New South Wales will play in delivering the AUKUS partnership. It featured keynote addresses by Minister for Skills and TAFE the Hon. Steve Whan and Managing Director of H&B Defence Tim Brown.

This workshop was attended by 30 senior industry, union, and official representatives to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing NSW’s participation in the AUKUS enterprise.

Experts discuss Of Age

Roughly 10% of all soldiers in the American Civil War were underaged. As historian Frances Clarke and her co-author Rebecca Jo Plant reveal in their book Of Age: Boy Soldiers and the American Civil War these boys and young men not only contributed vitally to the Union Army, but they also challenged the scope of American federal authority. On 29 August, USSC hosted a lively discussion of the award-winning book with author Frances Clarke and Michael Green, Michael McDonnell, and Kathryn Schumaker of the University of Sydney and the United States Centre.

Watch the replay here.

USSC perspectives

Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democrats dominated the US political news in August. From the selection of her running mate to the Democratic National Convention, her honeymoon period boxed out most news of her opponent. USSC authors analysed the latest developments in the United States and the region.

• The race to define Kamala Harris is not yet won by Ava Kalinauskas. First published in the Australian Financial Review.
• Why Americans do political speeches so well (and debates so badly) by Associate Professor David Smith. First published in The Conversation.
• How Vance’s bestseller became part of his job application by Dr Rodney Taveira. First published in 360info.
• Kishida’s departure is not all bad news for Australia by Tom Corben and Ryosuke Hanada. First published in The Strategist.
• From folksy Midwestern teacher to ‘cool dad’ meme machine: who is Tim Walz, Kamala Harris’ VP running mate? by Jared Mondschein. First published in The Conversation.

EVENT

CONFERENCE

Speakers announced for Sydney International Strategy Forum 2024

Two weeks after the US presidential election, USSC will host the second Sydney International Strategy Forum (SISF): The future of American leadership and a contested Asia. A mix of DC insiders and leaders from across the Indo-Pacific will join USSC to share their analysis of the US election and what to expect in Asia under the next administration.

Confirmed speakers include:

Stephanie Murphy | Former Congresswoman for Florida’s 7th congressional district (2017-2023); former US Department of Defense official

Akihisa Nagashima (長島昭久) | Member of the Japanese House of Representatives; former State Minister of Defence (2012); former Special Advisor to the Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs and National Security

Dennis Richardson AC | Former Secretary, Australian Department of Defence (2012-2017), former Secretary, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2010-2012) and former Australian Ambassador to the US (2005-2009)

Kristen Silverberg | President and Chief Operating Officer at Business Roundtable; former Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs (2005-2008); former US Ambassador to the European Union (2008-09)

Dr Mara Karlin | Former US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities (2021–2023); author of the 2022 US National Defense Strategy

Hugh Jeffrey | Deputy Secretary Strategy, Policy, and Industry, Australian Department of Defence

Matthew Turpin | Former US National Security Council Director for Asia and Senior Advisor on China to the Secretary of Commerce (2018-19)

Stay tuned for additional speaker announcements.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Videos and podcasts

The 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.

• EVENT | Election Watch 2024: New Cold Wars in a year like no other with David Sanger and Dr Michael Green.
• PODCAST | USSC Briefing Room | Modi’s future after the Indian election with Riya Sinha and Jared Mondschein
• EVENT | AUKUS Enablers? Assessing US and Australian defence export control reforms with Dr Bill Greenwalt, Tom Corben and Sophie Mayo
• EVENT | Election Watch 2024 | The Democratic National Convention feat. Planet America's Chas Licciardello, Dr Kathryn Schumaker, Jared Mondschein and Mari Koeck
• PODCAST | The Asia Chessboard | Debating America’s 'pivot' to Asia with Richard Fontaine, Robert Blackwill, Dr Michael Green and Jude Blanchette
• EVENT | Inside the Republican Party with former congresswoman Barbara Comstock and Emma Connors
• PODCAST | USSC Briefing Room | New Cold Wars with NYT’s David Sanger and Jared Mondschein
• EVENT | Expert discussion of Frances Clarke's prize-winning book: Of Age with Associate Professor Frances Clarke, Dr Michael Green, Professor Michael McDonnell and Dr Kathryn Schumaker

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University of Sydney NSW 2006

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