Security in transition: Trump’s America, alliances, and global stability

Security in transition: Trump’s America, alliances, and global stability

Author: ANU National Security College March 13, 2025 Duration: 43:09

How is the shift in foreign policy under Donald Trump reshaping US alliances, and what does this mean for global security?

To what extent is the US still a force for global stability?

Could the new direction in US foreign policy under Donald Trump succeed in pulling Russia away from its partnership with China?


In this episode, Beth Sanner joins Rory Medcalf to explore the Trump administration's approach to global issues – particularly in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, the evolving dynamics of US alliances, and the broader threat environment.

 

Beth Sanner is a Distinguished Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC). She is a former US Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Mission Integration and was Director of the President's Daily Brief during Donald Trump’s first stint as President. 

Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of NSC. His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia.


TRANSCRIPT


Show notes

·      NSC academic programs – find out more

·      Australia confronts the new world disorder


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. The National Security Podcast is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.


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
Why Taiwan’s security matters to Australia and the world [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:50
What kind of external pressures and foreign interference is Taiwan facing? How does Taiwan balance its status as a global tech giant with its regional security vulnerabilities? In what ways are Australia’s interests inte…
China's evolving relationship with the United States [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:09
How does China’s leadership view the relationship with the US, and how has that perspective evolved over the years? How might China seek to take advantage of recent actions by the Trump Administration that have destabili…
China's naval activity off Australia: coercion or common practice? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:57
Was China's live fire exercise off Australia's coast permissible under international law? What might have been the rationale behind this exercise? Does this fit into a bigger pattern of Chinese maritime coercion, or was…
Russia, the US, and the (uncertain) future of “the West” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:37
What parallels can be drawn between Russia’s democratic decline and challenges facing the US and other Western democracies? What are the prospects for genuine peace after Putin's invasion of Ukraine? With the US’ shiftin…
Who decides? Courts, citizenship, and national security [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:09
How does the exercise of judicial power shape national security law and policymaking in Australia? What legal safeguards exist to balance civil liberties and national security? Why do the principles of citizenship matter…