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28 November 2025
Happy Thanksgiving! Here at the United States Studies Centre (USSC), it is one of our favourite times of year. In addition to having a staff Thanksgiving meal, it is a great opportunity to reflect on what we have and be thankful. This month, we commissioned our newest cohort of the Women in the Alliance Network at a special dinner featuring Admiral Lisa Franchetti (ret’d). Until earlier this year, she commanded the most powerful navy in the history of the world. At the event, she shared her insights and reflections on teamwork and working in the service of others, an inspiring look at leadership from someone who was one of the most powerful leaders in the United States.
This month, we sent our first study tour to Japan and South Korea. Focusing on US space, science and technology policy in the Indo-Pacific, this team of students participated in site visits, guest lectures and direct engagement with experts in these sectors over two weeks.
Back on the homefront, we welcomed many international visitors including delegations from India, Papua New Guinea and the United States. At our gas industry roundtable, experts from around the Indo-Pacific joined discussions about geopolitics and changing energy policy.
As the year draws to a close, our American Studies lecturers are busily marking assessments. Being located at a university is something we are particularly grateful for. We have access to cross-disciplinary expertise across a wide range of topics, allowing us to partner with the university on various projects for a more comprehensive approach than we could do on our own. And our American Studies students are one of the key features of the USSC, continually bringing energy and dynamism to the Centre.
Next year marks 20 years since the founding of the United States Studies Centre, which means that most of our students never lived in a world where the USSC did not exist. We are grateful for the opportunity to teach these students about geopolitics and political science. We continue to attract record numbers of students each year, a sign of both the growing interest in the United States and the high quality of teaching that is well known through the University of Sydney.
Thank you for your continued support of the USSC. We have two public events left this year before we kick things off in 2026 with a look ahead to the midterms. We hope you can join us!
News
Study tour goes to Japan and Korea
This month we sent our first study tour to Japan and Korea to focus on US space, science and technology policy in the Indo-Pacific. In Japan, the tour visited Hiroshima to learn about the impact of the atomic bomb and how the Japan and US alliance was formed after the Second World War. They heard from senior leaders at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) about how they work with NASA in international space exploration and the group visited JAXA space facilities. On defence, the tour visited Kawasaki Heavy Industries and learned about the important role they play in the supply chain of US companies such as Boeing.
Then, going to South Korea, the tour learned about US extended nuclear deterrence and visited the DMZ. They then went to several Korean space centres, including the Korean Aerospace Research Institute and the Korean Astronomy and Space Science Institute, where they learned about joint missions with NASA and visited satellite testing facilities and mission control centres. The tour also enjoyed meeting with USSC Non-Resident Fellow Dr Peter Lee at the Asan Institute to learn about the ROK-US alliance. The tour was action packed and impactful and we are looking forward to offering new, innovative study tours like this in the years ahead.
WITA workshop with Adm. Lisa Franchetti (ret'd)
This month we were honoured to host Adm. Lisa Franchetti (ret’d), former Chief of Naval Operations. She joined a half-day workshop with our 2025 Women in the Alliance cohort before speaking at our WITA Dinner. Adm. Franchetti led the most powerful navy in human history until earlier this year. Her remarks were a blend of inspiration, pragmatism and humility.
At the WITA Dinner, we also announced our 2026 cohort. The next group includes women from the Australian Government (Departments of Defence, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Home Affairs, Australian Trade and Investment Commission), corporations, think tanks and NGOs. Launched in 2023, this will be the fourth WITA cohort, bringing together talented professionals working on the Australia-US relationship.
Roundtable with Australia India Institute
We co-hosted a roundtable with the Australia India Institute (AII) titled “Indian Ocean resilience through Australia-India cooperation.” The roundtable featured four prominent Indian scholars from AII’s Defence Special Visitors Program and USSC 2025 Maitri Fellow Rushali Saha.
The discussions looked at how India and Australia can enhance security in the Indian Ocean Region through closer alignment in bilateral and multilateral maritime initiatives, fostering a more effective and cooperative approach to regional stability. This aligns with key themes from An Australian Indian Ocean agenda to 2035, published earlier this year.
Roundtable on the future of gas in the Indo-Pacific
The USSC partnered with the Asia Natural Gas & Energy Association to host a one-day roundtable in Canberra looking at the future of gas in the Indo-Pacific. Attendees included representatives from the Australian Government as well as corporates, think tank experts and peak body representatives working in the space.
The day was split across two themes: Geopolitical dynamics and Indo-Pacific energy policies: The big picture and then Australia’s gas future: The road ahead.
If you are interested in research and events at the nexus of economics and national security, drop us a line at ussc.media@sydney.edu.au and we’ll make sure to include you on our relevant publication alerts and event invitations. Next year we will host our second Economic Security Conference, so join our events list so you will be one of the first to know.
Recent content from us
BRIEFA next-generation agenda: South Korea-US-Australia security cooperationUSSC Research Associate Kester Abbott is co-authored with Lauren Gilbert (the Atlantic Council) and Hannah Heewon Seo (the Australia Institute) on this issue brief with the Atlantic Council, examining opportunities for trilateral security cooperation between South Korea, Australia and the United States. |
BRIEFThe UK R&D ecosystem’s strategic capability towards AUKUS Pillar II: Barriers and opportunitiesThe UK’s strong R&D ecosystem is vital to AUKUS Pillar II — but structural barriers could hold it back. In a new brief, Research Fellow with the Centre for Statecraft and National Security Sophia Gaston outlines the UK’s strengths, gaps and the reforms needed to unlock trilateral capability. |
COMMENTARIESNext generation perspectives on the Australia-US AllianceTen Next Generation fellows published analysis as the culmination of their research fellowship with the USSC. Commentaries in this collection look at AUKUS Pillar II, export controls, symbiotic deterrence and the US-Australia alliance. |
PODCASTSupreme Court tests Trump’s tariffs – with Chas LicciardelloCo-host of ABC's Planet America Chas Licciardello joined Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck to look at Trump's tariff case before the Supreme Court and the key questions that will decide the case. |
Upcoming events
PUBLIC EVENT
A look back on Year One of Trump 2.0
The last 10 months have seen the longest federal government shutdown in US history, the highest levels of US tariffs imposed in nearly a century, unprecedented actions by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and a dramatic reshaping of federal government departments. Meanwhile, USSC polling ahead of the successful Albanese-Trump summit showed that Australians had negative views of President Trump but still didn’t want to walk away from the Australia-US alliance. Additional USSC polling will be released ahead of this event.
After a historic year in US politics, Australia faces key questions about its most important ally.
- What have we learned from the year in US politics?
- How has the second Trump administration measured up to expectations?
- Which of the administration's actions matter most for the future?
To answer these questions and to discuss the full results of the 2025 Allies and partners poll, join a panel of USSC experts: Chas Licciardello, co-host of “Planet America” on ABC TV, lecturer in American Studies Dr Kathryn Robison and Associate Professor in American Politics and Foreign Policy David Smith, in conversation with USSC Director of Research Jared Mondschein.
10 December 2025
6:00-8:00pm AEDTAuditorium, The Michael Spence Building (F23) Corner of Eastern Avenue and City Road The University of Sydney NSW 2006
Cost: Free, but registration is essential
WEBINAR
Tides of partnership: Australia-India maritime collaboration in the Indian Ocean region
In the wake of recent Australia-India Defence and Foreign Ministers’ meetings, the United States Studies Centre and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) are co-hosting a webinar to explore this evolving bilateral relationship.
Hear from leading voices from India and Australia, including ORF’s Sayantan Haldar and Pratnashree Basu, USSC’s Maitri Fellow Rushali Saha, and ANU National Security College’s Dr David Brewster, in a conversation moderated by Dr Lavina Lee, Director of Foreign Policy and Defence at the USSC.
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United States Studies Centre
Institute Building (H03)
University of Sydney NSW 2006
