29 May 2026

In May we hosted more 1.5 track dialogues, workshops and tabletop exercises than ever in one month for the Centre, across Canberra, Sydney and Tokyo. This is a testament to the work of our researchers truly testing ideas with government and industry partners and rolling up their sleeves to work on solutions. This month, our focus areas were on AI, economic security and Japan-Australia-South Korea-Taiwan-US integrated air and missile defence coordination and we conducted external events for each.

At home in the Institute Building, we hosted a flurry of roundtables with visiting government officials, delegations and diplomats, including the US Chief of Space Operations General Chance Saltzman and the US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Michael DeSombre. Our academic team hosted visiting Professor Brian Roberts from Brigham Young University and kicked off the first of a series of teacher professional development webinars.

We also marked significant milestones, including the 9 May graduation of our latest cohort of American Studies students and publishing our 100^th episode of the USSC Briefing Room podcast.

In all of this activity, we have been encouraged by gaining momentum for US allies and partners working together in spite of the fraught and ever changing geopolitical landscape. Our workshops are showing both more opportunities and opportunities to do more as the stakes are raised on issues of defence, economics, and technology. We will be publishing findings from each of these workshops. Please subscribe to our research alerts if you want to ensure you are notified when the outcomes reports are published.

News

Roundtable with US Chief of Space Operations

We were fortunate to host General B. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations for the United States Space Force (USSF). Established in 2019, the Space Force is the newest branch of the US Armed Forces. It was created in recognition that space has become a critical operational domain, increasingly shaped by strategic competition, technological advancement and the need to protect vital space-based infrastructure.

As Chief, General Saltzman leads the organisation, training and equipping of the Space Force — a central pillar of the evolving national security strategy. Our discussion explored the growing strategic importance of space, the changing security environment in the Indo-Pacific, and the role emerging technologies will play in the future of defence and deterrence.

American Studies Graduation

Early in the month, we celebrated the graduation of nine American Studies students. It is a joy to get to know our students over the course of their studies and it is always a highlight for the academic team to connect with students in the iconic University of Sydney Quadrangle to mark their achievement.

A special surprise was when Associate Professor David Smith filled in at the last minute to deliver a stirring occasional address. Watch it here.

Roundtable with AAA President Steven Marshall

We welcomed American Australian Association (AAA) President Steven Marshall to the Centre this month for roundtable discussions with senior leaders and junior researchers. The discussion explored a range of topics, including AUKUS and the future of space exploration. The conversation also highlighted a meaningful milestone as we mark 20 years since the founding of the United States Studies Centre, reflect on the AAA’s role over that time, and look ahead to the future.

AUS-UK Track 1.5 dialogue on economic security

Following the economic security track 1.5 track workshop in London earlier this year, we partnered with the UK High Commission in Sydney to deliver the second workshop. We convened representatives from the UK High Commission, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian British Chamber of Commerce, industry representatives and researchers to explore and test ideas around economic fragmentation, economic security risks, supply chains, critical minerals and the future of Australia-UK public-private partnerships.

Roundtable with US State Department representative

Earlier this month, we were pleased to host US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Michael DeSombre for a wide-ranging discussion on the future of the Australia–US alliance, strategic stability in the Indo-Pacific, Australia’s National Defence Strategy, and the evolving trajectory of AUKUS cooperation.

The discussion underscored the increasing importance of close Australia–US coordination on defence policy, critical and emerging technologies, and shared regional security challenges.

First teacher professional development webinar of 2026

We kicked off the first webinar in our teacher professional development series, delivered with the support of the Australian National University National Security College this week. Associate Professor David Smith and Non-Resident Senior Fellow Bruce Wolpe joined Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck to discuss what is driving polarisation, why it has intensified and how it is changing elections and everyday civic debate in Australia. Teachers received a toolkit with resources they can apply in their classroom. As a NESA-recognised professional development provider and attendees can self-log participation as professional development.

Future webinars include:

• 11 August | ChatGPT and the pushback against expertise
• 8 September | Private life, public world: what privacy means in 2026
• 5 November | US midterm elections in focus: how they work and why they matter to Australia

Congressional staff delegation visit

On Monday we welcomed a congressional staff delegation from the United States. Representatives from twelve different offices joined USSC staff for a robust discussion of defence ties, economic partnerships and the future of AI. It was a great opportunity to discuss issues with people working on both the Republican and Democratic sides of the Hill and to share USSC findings on Australian, Japanese, Indian and US sentiment towards a range of issues.

IAMD Tabletop exercise in Tokyo

Our team travelled to Tokyo to hold the second Japan-Australia-South Korea-Taiwan and United States tabletop exercise to test out their integrated air and missile defence (IAMD). Over the two days, participants from each country workshopped ideas to develop national plans, share feedback and refine plans and socialise within the wider group. The exercise builds on the success of last year.

AI Dialogue in Canberra

The Centre convened a one-day AI Dialogue in Canberra earlier this month with representatives from the Australian Government, US Embassy, tech companies and researchers. Over the course of the day, participants explored key tensions during the AI transition, including sovereign priorities across the AI stack, supply chain risks, the regional AI ecosystem and AI infrastructure uplift.

Academic talk with Prof. Brian Roberts

Brian Roberts, Professor of English at Brigham Young University joined us for an academic talk about his research on his Borderwaters project, understanding the United States in the context of its oceanic borders. The discussion looked at how US borders are predominantly oceanic and how this impacts the US role in the world.

Recent content from us

Student opportunities and awards

Join our US Midterms Study Tour 

University of Sydney students have the opportunity to experience the US midterm elections firsthand as they unfold in Washington, DC and Philadelphia this November. 

Across two weeks of academic sessions, policy‑focused site visits and on‑the‑ground engagement, students taking part in the US Midterms Study Tour will explore how US elections influence government, public policy, media, diplomacy, democracy and America’s role in the world. Open to undergraduate and postgraduate students from all faculties, the tour offers academic credit upon successful completion. Scholarships are available, and eligible students may also access OS‑HELP loans. 

Swap the Sydney winter for the LA summer 

Open to undergraduate University of Sydney students from all faculties, this six‑week program lets you spend your winter break studying at UCLA and living on campus in the heart of Los Angeles. Earn University of Sydney credit by completing two UCLA courses, while soaking up iconic LA culture as the city gears up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Scholarships are available, along with OS-HELP loans for eligible students. Applications close soon, with places strictly limited. 

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University of Sydney NSW 2006