Aid, development, and Australia’s national security: why it matters now more than ever

Aid, development, and Australia’s national security: why it matters now more than ever

Author: ANU National Security College April 10, 2025 Duration: 48:13

What impact will cuts to foreign aid have on security in Southeast Asia and the Pacific? 

Why is international development essential to Australia’s diplomacy and security outlook? 

Do the recent Trump tariffs and withdrawal of aid demand a more active role for Australia and other middle powers? 


In this episode Melissa Conley Tyler and Mira Sulistiyanto join David Andrews to unpack the current state of foreign aid and international development, with a focus on cuts to USAID, its implications, and Australia’s role as aid partner for the region. 


Melissa Conley Tyler FAIIA is Executive Director of the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue. 

Mira Sulistiyanto is an international development expert currently working at the Development Intelligence Lab as Senior Analyst. 

David Andrews is Senior Manager, Policy & Engagement at the ANU National Security College (NSC).  


TRANSCRIPT


Show notes 

 

We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au.You can contact us on X (formerly Twitter) and Bluesky, and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. 


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Produced by the ANU National Security College, The National Security Podcast offers a deep and nuanced examination of the forces shaping regional and global stability. This isn't just a surface-level news recap; it's a forum for serious, informed discussion grounded in academic rigor and policy expertise. Each episode features conversations with leading thinkers, practitioners, and analysts who unpack the complex security landscape, from geopolitical shifts and economic coercion to cyber threats and climate-related risks. The focus is consistently on the pressing challenges and strategic choices confronting Australia and the broader Indo-Pacific region. Listeners will gain access to a range of perspectives that cut through the noise, providing clarity on how today's decisions shape tomorrow's security environment. By engaging with this podcast, you join a conversation that is both timely and essential, one that connects theoretical understanding with the practical realities of government and international affairs. The dialogue here is built on evidence and experience, offering listeners a trusted source to better comprehend the intricate dynamics of power, diplomacy, and defense. It's an ongoing exploration of what security means in a rapidly changing world, delivered through thoughtful, long-form discussions that prioritize depth and insight.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The National Security Podcast
Podcast Episodes
A decade at the helm: in conversation with Rory Medcalf [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:16
How has Australia’s security landscape changed over the last decade? How was the Indo-Pacific concept born, and how has it evolved? What are the biggest threats facing Australia right now? In this episode, Rory Medcalf j…
Disasters, distrust, and disinformation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:03
What are some of the challenges societies face because of mis- and disinformation during disaster response? How can Australia adapt to deal with these challenges? What lessons can we learn from incidents around the world…
Iran, Israel and the future of Middle East security [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:20
Where do the other Middle East countries and the Gulf nations stand on the Iran-Israel conflict? How do they view the US’ changing foreign policy? What were the motivations behind the recent US and Israeli attacks on Ira…
The trans-Tasman alliance: strengthening Australia-NZ security ties [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:01
What is the ‘foreign policy reset’ undertaken by New Zealand’s National government, and how does it differ from the previous Labour government’s approach? How can New Zealand and Australia strengthen their alliance to fa…
In conversation with Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:24
Why is the Indo-Pacific of importance to Canada? Will it have a more consistent presence in the region in the future? How is Canada adapting its defence capabilities to meet the demands of a rapidly changing geopolitica…
AI, rights and rules: who’s accountable in an automated world? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:14
Can differing global approaches to AI regulation and investment work together, or are we headed toward fragmented, siloed systems? How can AI governance in developing nations be supported as part of regional aid and secu…
Australia decides 2025: national security priorities [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:25
How is the re-elected Labor Government expected to approach national security and foreign policy in its new term of office? Can Australia strike a sustainable balance between its alliance with the United States and its c…
Transatlantic security crisis? NATO and Europe's strategic dilemma [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:15
Is Europe ready to defend itself without the United States? What roles do major countries like France, Germany, the UK, and partners like Australia play in this equation? How is the European defence industry responding t…