October 2022

The final days until the US midterms

October was an action-packed month for the United States Studies Centre (USSC), welcoming two visiting fellows (made possible with funding from the US Government) and culminating in the launch of USSC's latest research US midterms 2022: The stakes for Australia and the alliance and a series of events in Sydney and Canberra.

At the start of the month, USSC welcomed the inaugural Director of Emerging Technology, Dr Miah Hammond-Errey. Joining USSC after time with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and more than 15 years with the Australian Government, she shared, "Through the new USSC Emerging Technology program I want us to be a leading voice on technology in multilateral initiatives like AUKUS, the opportunities and threats for broader society and, critically, how we leverage technology to build and strengthen alliances."

Associate Professor of History with Tennessee State University, Dr Keisha Brown, spent a week as a visiting fellow, engaging with students and stakeholders across campus. She discussed her work on Blackness and China in a public event on 12 October. The following week, USSC Senior Lecturer in US Politics and Foreign Policy, Dr Gorana Grgic, hosted an event on NATO's new Strategic Concept with representatives from NATO, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian National University.

With the midterm elections fast approaching, November also promises to be an exciting month. The midterms are about more than 2022, as the New York Times'  Jane Coaston (and USSC visiting fellow) said in her conversation with Annabel Crabb last week, "It's not about bills, it's not about Congress, it's actually about 2024. It's about the next presidential election."

Looking ahead, November will deliver something for everyone, including a student midterms watch party and trivia night, reports on diplomacy and regional security, and events on Taiwan and climate change, November will deliver something for everyone. Make sure to subscribe for USSC event invitations and research alerts so you don't miss out.

NEWS

US midterms 2022: The stakes for Australia and the alliance

Director of Research Jared Mondschein and Research Associate Victoria Cooper explored a range of public opinion polling on topics from AUKUS to climate change in their report: US Midterms 2022: The stakes for Australia and the alliance. In the report they identified six topline findings:

1. US alliances are popular
2. Negative views of China have solidified across the region
3. US, Australian and Japanese publics favour robust responses to Chinese aggression, but prioritise diplomatic and economic approaches
4. Americans want to increase trade with Asia and share a scepticism of economic ties with China
5. All three publics want to broaden the alliance agenda
6. Americans, and their allies to a lesser extent, are concerned about US democracy

The report was covered by ABC, The Australian, The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph.

USSC is also issuing a suite of explainers and deeper dives on specific polling data over the coming weeks. The first two explainers areThe foreign policy implications of the 2022 US midterms by Research Fellow Tom Corben, Research Associate Alice Nason and Research Fellow Peter Lee and Frequently Asked Questions: 2022 US midterm elections by Research Associate Victoria Cooper and Research Intern Ava Kalinauskas.

Keisha Brown on Blackness and China

In October we welcomed Tennessee State University Associate Professor of History Dr Keisha Brown as a Visiting Fellow. She is a member of the Black China Caucus and spoke at private events with staff and students as well as a public lecture on Blackness and China: Tensions and solidarity. She explored both the history of Sino-Black relations as well as how this has influenced what we see today. You can watch the replay of the event here.

Student midterms watch party and trivia night

The results of the 2022 midterm elections will shape the US legislative agenda for the next two years. What will the polls reveal about the wants of the American people, the state of US democracy, and the future of the US president’s reform agenda? How will key areas of interest for Australia – climate change, trade and tech policy – change based on the makeup of the new Congress?

We are inviting all students to join us for a fun evening analysing hot topics in US politics over free food and drinks. The night is sure to be equally informative and entertaining, with a range of midterms-themed activities, competitive team trivia rounds, lots of giveaways, and free food and drinks. Funding for this event is provided by the United States Government.

WHEN
Wednesday, 9 November, 6:00-9:00pm AEDT

WHERE
The Marlborough Hotel, 145 King Street Newtown NSW 2042

COST
Free, but registration is essential

USSC perspectives

The upcoming US midterm elections took sharp focus in October and alliances were front and centre following the latest news on Ukraine and Saudi Arabia.

• The United States is gearing up for midterm elections. What are they and what’s at stake? by Dr David Smith first published in The Conversation
• Just like his Stalinist predecessors, Putin is throwing everything at the war in Ukraine knowing victory is his only off-ramp by Stephen Loosley, AM first published by Sky News
• OPEC won’t back West on Ukraine, hostile to Biden by Bruce Wolpe first published on JohnMenadue.com

In the news

Midterms were a leading news story coming from the US, but the Chinese Party Congress, discussions around AUKUS and President Biden's mention of a nuclear "armageddon" brought focus to their engagement with the Indo-Pacific.

China's respect for Abe was 'greatest tribute': ex-US diplomat
USSC CEO Dr Michael Green reflects on former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Mount Fuji Dialogue. "There was a grudging respect," Dr Green said. "I think in some ways, that's the greatest tribute of all." This was reported by Nikkei Asia. READ MORE HERE

Technology transfer goals face ‘AUKUS visa’ hurdles
InnovationAus refers to USSC research in which author Jennifer Jackett highlights that an AUKUS visa would allow Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States to “pool, rather than compete for, workers in highly specialised fields". READ MORE HERE

US midterm elections: Why Democrats are backing Trump candidates
Associate Professor Dr David Smith is quoted in the Herald Sun article about how the US midterm elections have seen Democrats now counting on former president Donald Trump, and his chosen candidates. READ MORE HERE

South Korea’s status as rising defence player on display at AUSA
Research Fellow Dr Peter Lee tells Joe Gould at Defense News that South Korea’s rise is good news for the US as the Biden administration works, with an eye on Russia and China, to shore up allied and partner defence-industrial bases. READ MORE HERE

US President warns of armageddon
Research Fellow Tom Corben talked to ABC Radio National about how a leader doesn't generally use the word 'Armageddon' lightly despite President Biden's previous controversies in foreign policy matters. LISTEN HERE

EVENTS

Georgia: Ground zero of the US midterm elections

With the US midterm elections for the control of Congress fast approaching, voters in the state of Georgia face important and highly anticipated elections this November. Georgia voters will decide the marquee Senate race between the incumbent Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock and Trump-endorsed newcomer Republican Herschel Walker in a race that may well determine which party controls the Senate. At the same time, Georgia also has a major gubernatorial race, with Republican incumbent Governor Brian Kemp, who spurned Trump's efforts to overturn Joe Biden's victory in Georgia in November 2020, and Democratic superstar Stacey Abrams in the race. With important election integrity issues at stake, races such as these are more consequential than ever.

To discuss these issues, please join the USSC webinar featuring Alan Abramowitz, The Alben Barkley Emeritus Professor of Political Science at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia in conversation with USSC Non-Resident Senior Fellow Bruce Wolpe and Research Associate Victoria Cooper.

WHEN
SYDNEY | Wednesday, 2 November, 11:00am-12:00pm AEDT
WASHINGTON DC | Tuesday, 3 November, 8:00-9:00pm EDT

COST
Free, but registration is essential

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Event replays

The latest videos from our webinars and events are available on our YouTube channel. Catch up on these events through the USSC Live podcast and on YouTube. Here are the latest replays:

• US Midterms 2022 with New York Times' Jane Coaston, ABC's Annabel Crabb and USSC's Dr Michael Green.
• NATO's New Strategic Concept: Transatlantic security agenda and its implications for Australia with NATO's Dr Benedetta Berti, DFAT's Ms Ciara Spencer, ANU's Prof. Stephan Frühling and USSC's Dr Gorana Grgic.
• Universal voting: Can Australia's experience work in America? with the Brookings Institution's E.J. Dionne Jr, Harvard Kennedy Center's Miles Rapoport, and USSC's Bruce Wolpe and Victoria Cooper.
• Blackness and China: Tensions and solidarity with Tennessee State University's Dr Keisha Brown and USSC's Dr Michael Green.

Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to the USSC YouTube channel to get notifications as soon as new videos are uploaded.

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