NOVEMBER 2024

A strategic look towards the next four years

November was a watershed month for the United States Studies Centre (USSC). We had been gearing up for the US presidential election all year and, after a year of twists and turns, the day and final result occurred with far more clarity and certainty than most predicted. USSC experts were featured on every major TV network in Australia and many did long stints on radio, quickly typing op-eds in response to the breaking news in the breaks between interviews. The United States is more than one presidential election and the USSC is more than just media commentators, but in a time when the eyes of the world are focused on the United States, we want to be front and centre, providing evidence-based, robust analysis to inform the public as we look at the impact this election will have on the years and decades to come.

Knowing this would be momentous, we decided to host our “Super Week” two weeks after the election so we could take a much deeper look at the strategic trajectory and game out policy responses. We started off Super Week with a trilateral strategy simulation featuring experts from the United States, Japan and Australia. Over one and a half days we tested a credible scenario with escalating tensions in the Indo-Pacific. The day after this we hosted the annual Sydney International Strategy Forum, featuring international experts and insiders from both the first Trump and Biden administrations. After this we brought a delegation to Canberra for high-level meetings with a range of departments including the Department of Defence and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The strong positive feedback we’ve received is a validation of these efforts and we intend to continue this momentum in 2025.

NEWS

Election day bonanza

Election Day was a major event for the USSC. While many experts were doing interviews on ABC News, Channel 7, Channel 9, Channel 10, Sky News and SBS we also hosted a student and staff watch party at the Royal Darlington Hotel. The atmosphere was electric as students watched the results roll in. As we coloured in the electoral map, it facilitated many discussions about how the Electoral College works, how some of the largest states by area could have so few delegates, how the ballot counting and certification works and what these results mean. A particular highlight were the American flag cupcakes baked by Marketing and Design Coordinator Paul Weeks.

If you’re a University of Sydney student, consider adding an American Studies course to your plan for 2025 so you can join the fun and be at the frontline of discussions around the next Trump administration.

Second annual Sydney International Strategy Forum

On 20 November, USSC hosted the second annual Sydney International Strategy Forum. The theme for 2024 was “The future of American leadership and a contested Asia.” Experts from the United States, Japan and Australia, including former Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, former US National Security Council Director for Asia Matthew Turpin, former Chief of the Australian Defence Force Air Chief Marshall Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Ret’d), Member of the Japanese House of Representatives Rui Matsukawa, former US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans and Capabilities Dr Mara Karlin, former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia Heino Klinck and former Secretary of the Departments of Defence and Foreign Affairs and Trade Dennis Richardson AC joined the robust dialogue to assess the next four years.

Video remarks from Australian Ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd made a big media impression as his first public remarks since the US election. And a particular audience highlight was US Deputy Secretary of State Dr Kurt Campbell recounting the time he stole a stapler from Air Force One. Videos from the conference will be available soon on USSC’s YouTube channel.

Roundtable with Microsoft

At the start of the month, USSC hosted a roundtable with Microsoft Director for Cybersecurity Kevin Reifsteck who was visiting from Washington DC. He previously worked as Director for Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity for the National Security Council at the White House. USSC convened a discussion examining how to foster greater cooperation, enhance global cybersecurity resilience, discuss the strategic rationale of regulatory alignment and identify opportunities for collaboration.

USSC takes students to DC for election day

From late October to early November, a group of University of Sydney students embarked on the US Presidential Study Tour, an extraordinary opportunity to experience American democracy during the US election. Delivered in partnership with the University of Southern California Sol Price School of Public Policy and USC Capital Campus, the tour featured highlights such as a US Election Watch Party, an exclusive farewell reception at the Australian Embassy in DC, and privileged access to the Library of Congress. Starting in Los Angeles and concluding in Washington, DC, during election week, students immersed themselves in US politics, gaining insights into America's global influence. For many, the connections made and the conversations shared during this journey will stay with them for life, shaping their understanding of US politics and culture in ways they never imagined.

GWEO roundtable assesses government blueprint

Following the Australian Government’s release of the blueprint to deliver sovereign manufacturing capability in Australia, USSC hosted their latest GWEO Defence Industrial Roundtable with defence industry organisations. The representatives shared their initial reactions to the government announcements and together discussed whether these measures would meet Australia’s strategic requirements on the timelines required and provide a viable business case for a sovereign industrial base.

Final workshop with inaugural WITA cohort

USSC farewelled the inaugural Women in the Alliance Network 2023-2024 cohort with the final workshop of the year-long program featuring former Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, former US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans and Capabilities Dr Mara Karlin and former staffer on the Hill and chief of staff to former Prime Minister Julia Gillard Bruce Wolpe. They discussed what comes next for the US-Australia relationship after the election with a special emphasis on the relationship between Parliament and Congress and what trends are likely to emerge over the next four years.

Ambassador Jeffrey Bleich visits Centre

USSC was honoured to welcome Distinguished Ambassadorial Fellow Ambassador Jeffrey Bleich to the Centre this month. He shared the reactions in Washington DC following the election and an assessment of the initial nominees to serve in the next Trump administration. This discussion focused on the opportunities and challenges facing Australia and the role of the different branches of government over the next four years.

Film screening and live podcast recording

Capping off the collaboration with the Film Versus Film podcast, USSC hosted a special screening of the film Civil War. This was followed by a live recording of the podcast with hosts Craig Anderson, Bruce Isaacs and Herschel Isaacs in conversation with expert guest Associate Professor David Smith. USSC partnered with the crew at the Film Versus Film podcast for a six-part series discussing movies that engage with US electoral politics.

USSC gives thanks

Thanksgiving may not be a public holiday in Australia, but that isn’t going to stop the USSC from celebrating. Following the hectic Super Week, we gathered on 28 November to share our annual Thanksgiving staff lunch complete with turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie. Members of staff even showed off their baking skills. If you are interested in being part of the USSC team, keep an eye on our Careers page for new opportunities as they become available.

USSC perspectives

This month, USSC experts looked at the US election and what it will mean for the Indo-Pacific region.

• How Trump can build on Biden’s successes in Asia by Dr Michael Green. First published in Foreign Affairs.
• Fasten seatbelts for a wild ride on Trump and trade by Dr John Kunkel. First published in the Australian Financial Review.
• Americans have voted for Donald Trump to become president again, and the economy is the biggest reason by Associate Professor David Smith. First published in The Conversation.
• Why women didn’t win the election for Kamala Harris by Dr Kathryn Robison and Hayley Channer. First published in the Australian Financial Review.
• Podcasting as presidential campaign outreach by Dr Rodney Taveira and Ava Kalinauskas. First published in Election Analysis.

EVENT

PUBLIC FORUM | 9 DECEMBER 

Panel discussion: The future of the Quad

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.

• VIDEO | The US election outcome | Dr Michael Green talks to ABC TV
• PODCAST | USSC Briefing Room | Former Trump admin official on technology, energy and competition with China with Erik Jacobs and Jared Mondschein
• VIDEO | Who will be America's next president: Kamala Harris or Donald Trump? with Bevan Shields, Peter Hartcher, Jacqueline Maley, Dr Michael Green and Jared Mondschein
• PODCAST | USSC Briefing Room | DC insiders on Trump’s victory and next steps with Dr Michael Green, Lester Munson and Mari Koeck

• VIDEO | The single most important factor that led to Trump's win with Jared Mondschein

• PODCAST | The Asia Chessboard | The exit interview with Dr Michael Green and Jude Blanchette

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Institute Building H03
University of Sydney NSW 2006

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