Plotting a through line: February 2026 geopolitics update

Plotting a through line: February 2026 geopolitics update

Author: ANU National Security College March 5, 2026 Duration: 51:40

Is there a strategic through line or an explanatory logic behind the Trump Administration’s actions in Venezuela, Greenland and Iran?

What is the current state of the Transatlantic Alliance?

What are the implications of cross-theatre linkages for the idea that Europe and the Indo-Pacific are separate security arenas?

With rising tensions in the Middle East, what factors will most strongly influence whether tensions between the US and Iran escalate into a broader regional conflict?

Are there any potentially optimistic geopolitical signals that deserve amplification?


In this episode, Justin Burke speaks with Euan Graham and Gorana Grgić to discuss the through lines on the surprising geopolitical events that ushered in 2026, imagining a world without the US at its center.

 

Dr Gorana Grgić is Head of the Global Security team at the ETH Zurich’s Center for Security Studies and holds senior affiliations in Australia and the US. Her research interests include US and EU foreign policy and NATO.

Dr Euan Graham is an Expert Associate at the ANU National Security College. He has extensive experience as a commentator, policy analyst and former practitioner specializing in Indo-Pacific security.

Justin Burke is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College.


TRANSCRIPT


Show notes:

·     NSC academic programs – find out more

·     The Case for a Pacific Defense Pact: America Needs a New Asian Alliance to Counter China

·     Asia After America | Foreign Affairs


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


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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.
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