Podcasts

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The Centenary of the 1917 Russian Revolution 
STRATEGIKON Ep 38
Jonathan Z. Ludwig joins John Bruni to examine the legacy of the Russian Revolution. How did it come about and what was its impact on Russia, the Russian people and the world?

Swamp Monster: The Battle for the Heart and Soul of the United States of America
STRATEGIKON Ep 37
John Bruni interviews SIA’s resident expert in Russian studies and observer of American politics, Dr. Jonathan Z. Ludwig, on the current political ‘Trump-Russia’ crisis brewing in the US.

ZAPAD 17 – Routine Russian military training exercise, or template for war?
STRATEGIKON Ep 36
CDRE Patrick J. Tyrrell OBE RN (Ret’d) returns to STRATEGIKON to discuss the implications of the latest Russian military exercise, ZAPAD 17

Horn of Africa: Region of Conflict or Region of Optimism?
STRATEGIKON Ep 35
John Bruni speaks to Col. Sandy Wade OBE (Ret’d) on the challenges and opportunities in the Horn of Africa region, a region long known for poverty and violence.

Marginal Losses in Institutions & Systems feat. David Olney
(STRATEGIKON Ep 34)
John, and Shahrezad (Shaz) in absentia, interrogate David on his theory that identifying and eliminating marginal losses from institutions and systems of public and private governance can lead to better organizations and to better organizational outcomes.

Crisis in the Gulf: Qatar v. GCC feat. Dr Imad K. Harb
(STRATEGIKON Ep 33)
John and Imad discuss the current crisis between the Sheikhdom of Qatar and its GCC neighbors. What caused it? Can it be reversed? What is at stake?

“A Postcard from Kabul” feat. Prof Albert B. Wolf
(STRATEGIKON Ep.32)
In this episode, John, David and Shahrezad discuss developments in Afghanistan with Prof Albert B. Wolf, Assistant Prof. in Political Science, American University of Afghanistan, Kabul. Special thanks to Ms. Zubaida Akbar, Director of Communications, AUA.

Trump: A Never Ending Story
(STRATEGIKON Ep 31)
In this episode, John Bruni and Jonathan Ludwig examine the turmoil within the Trump White House. What has Russia got on the US president? Is Moscow pleased with developments in Washington DC? How will the Comey dismissal play out? And much, much more.

Russia’s Growing Presence in the Middle East, Part II (STRATEGIKON Ep 30)
In this episode, John, Jonathan and Imad analyze Russia’s growing presence in the Middle East. In Part II, we look at the Turkey-Iran-Russia nexus; the role of Russian arms sales in winning friends in the Middle East and examine Russia-Israel ties.

Russia’s Growing Presence in the Middle East, Part I (STRATEGIKON Ep 30)
In this episode, John Bruni, Jonathan Ludwig and Imad Harb analyze Russia’s growing presence in the Middle East. In Part I, we look at what brought Russia to this region and what its motivation is for staying. Does it have the strength to maintain itself for the duration?

The World’s Terrific, Tremendous, Amazing First 100 Days of Trump – STRATEGIKON ANZAC Day Special (STRATEGIKON Ep 29)
John, David and Shahrezad discuss the foreign policy of Trump, 100 Days into his first term as president.

Blackout Adelaide: Neo-Liberalism & the Case for a Mixed Economy (STRATEGIKON Ep 28)
In this episode, John, David and Shahrezad discuss the recent issues with the South Australian electricity sector and Premier Jay Weatherill’s plan to fix what critics have labeled a third-world standard of electricity supply

“The Grand Tour” of British & European Security (STRATEGIKON Ep 27)
In this episode, John Bruni interviews CDRE Patrick J. Tyrrell OBE RN (Ret’d), Chairman of SIA’s Advisory Board. We examine the recent terrorist attack in London, NATO, Brexit and the push for a new referendum on Scottish independence.

Ghost Fleet: The Shape of War to Come? Part II (STRATEGIKON Ep 26)
In this episode, John, David and Shahrezad discuss the geopolitical points raised in the book Ghost Fleet. How relevant are they in today’s world, two years after the book’s publication?

America’s Education Black Hole – Putting the US at Risk? (STRATEGIKON Ep 25)
In this episode, John Bruni and Jonathan Ludwig will be looking at the state of US education. If a nation’s strength is predicated on the effectiveness of its education system, what is the state of America’s tertiary education?

Ghost Fleet: The Shape of War to Come? (STRATEGIKON Ep 24)
In this episode, John Bruni, David Olney & Shahrezad Ghayrat examines the book by Singer & Cole, Ghost Fleet, published in 2015. Does this book accurately forecast real issues on the prosecution of modern war?

Trumpocalypse Now? (STRATEGIKON Ep 23)
In this episode, John Bruni, David Olney & Shahrezad Ghayrat examine what has been called the ‘Trumpocalypse’ – The first fortnight of Donald J. Trump’s presidency and where it is going.

World Sitrep 2017 (STRATEGIKON Ep 22)
In this episode, John Bruni & David Olney discuss the state of the world in 2017. Is the post-World War II international order finished? And what will replace it?

Russia’s ‘Silver Age?’ Exploring the Prospects and Challenges of Contemporary Russian Power (STRATEGIKON Ep 21)
Special guest Dr. Jonathan Z. Ludwig, Visiting Assistant Professor of Russian at Oklahoma State University, via Skype, from Stillwater Oklahoma joins SIA’s Dr. John Bruni to discuss Putin’s hold over Russia, how Russians see themselves,  and Putin’s importance to Russia.

‘Mad Dog’ Mattis and the Problem of Military Command in the Modern Age (STRATEGIKON Ep 20)
In this episode, John Bruni & David Olney discuss the appointment of General Mattis as US Secretary of Defense. Also discussed are some of the problems with military command today. Can military truth be spoken to political power? How receptive is civilian authority over the military when the military is the bearer of bad news to strategic planners and policy wonks?

A Discussion on Henry Kissinger’s Thoughts on Obama & Trump (STRATEGIKON Ep 19)
In this episode, John Bruni & David Olney discuss Jeffery Goldberg’s interview with Henry Kissinger in the December 2016 issue of The Atlantic. Topics covered: Kissinger’s reflections of the Obama years, his views on president-elect, Donald J. Trump and how relevant is Henry Kissinger in today’s world? Have his opinions on international relations stood the test of time, or are they of a bygone era?

The Battle for Mosul Begins (STRATEGIKON Episode 18)
In our latest STRATEGIKON podcast, John Bruni and David Olney discuss the battle for Mosul, Iraq’s attempt at liberating the Islamic State’s ‘jewel in the crown’, and its implications. Topics covered include: how will Islamic State fighters conduct their defence of Mosul – its highly prized and critical strategic asset; is the Iraqi Army and government capable of victory; and what will victory look like for the people of Mosul and Iraq generally if Baghdad is not committed to implementing good governance?

United States’ Asia Policy (STRATEGIKON Episode 17)
Special guest Dr Daniel Twining, Director and Senior Fellow for Asia at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, joins SIA’s Dr John Bruni to discuss US’ Asia Policy. Topics covered are: US Asia policy including a look at what the Trump and Clinton camps stand for; Obama ‘Pivot to Asia’; and the increasing importance and complexity of the Indian Subcontinent to America’s ‘grand strategy’ in Asia.

Durterte’s Philippines (STRATEGIKON Episode 16)
In this podcast, CEO Dr John Bruni and SIA Associate David Olney take a closer look at the Philippines under Rodrigo Duterte. Is the Philippines in danger of becoming a narco-state?  Are Duterte’s Dirty Harry-style methods effective on his ‘war on drugs’? What’s up with Duterte’s colourful language on the diplomatic scene? Who is he really pitching to and why?

Possible US Secretary of State Line-ups (STRATEGIKON Episode 15)
In the podcast, Dr John Bruni and SIA Associate David Olney discuss the possible line-ups for the position of Secretary of State for both the Trump and Clinton camps, the possible direction of US foreign policy under either a Trump or Clinton presidency and which of the presidential candidates is stronger on foreign policy and why should we care?

STRATEGIKON, Episode 14
Special guest Dr. Ibrahim Fraihat, Senior Foreign Policy Fellow, Brookings Doha Center, and Dr John Bruni discuss the stability of the Middle East today and the future of the region. Topics covered: Obama’s foreign policy in the Middle East; the role of sectarianism in many of the region’s contemporary conflicts; the ‘Cold War’ between Saudi Arabia and Iran; the Syria civil war, Iraqi social and political turmoil, Iranian influence in Iraq, Israel & Palestine.
Dr Fraihat is a CAAR Visiting Fellow, sponsored by the Australian Government through the Council for Australian-Arab Relations (CAAR) of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). He is hosted by the Middle East Studies Forum of Deakin University and was in Adelaide as guest of the Department of Asian Studies, the University of Adelaide.

STRATEGIKON, Episode 13
John Bruni  and SIA Associate, David Olney, discuss Vladimir Putin & Russia. What does Russian President Vladimir Putin want? Is Russia a power that knows its limits? Also on this Episode is discussion of:
– The significance of Russian military deployments to Crimea, eastern Ukraine and Syria.
– The state of Russia’s military modernisation.
– The possible emergence of an autocratic alliance between Russia, Turkey and Iran, (akin to the 1815 Holy Alliance between Prussia, Austria and Russia).
– Putin’s indispensability to Russia’s contemporary body politic. The West’s reactions to Russia and Sino-Russian military cooperation.

STRATEGIKON, Episode 12
John Bruni and special guest Prof. Purnendra Jain discusses ‘Japan Today’ following the July 10 Upper House elections. How strong is Prime Minister Abe and the Liberal Democratic Party? Is Article 9 of Japan’s Peace Constitution being successfully eroded by Japanese nationalists? Will Japan remain a ‘Pacifist State’? How does China factor as a strategic threat to Tokyo? What did the loss of the Royal Australian Navy’s AUD50 billion Collins class submarine replacement program mean to Japan’s ambitions for becoming a significant defence exporter?

STRATEGIKON, Episode 11
John Bruni & SIA Associate, David Olney, discuss the relationship between immigration and terrorism in Europe

STRATEGIKON, Episode 10
John Bruni & David Olney discuss Brexit, with a twist.

STRATEGIKON, Episode 9
John Bruni’s take on the Chilcot Report’s findings and the aftermath of the Anglo-American invasion of Iraq, March 2003

STRATEGIKON, Episode 8
An interview with Steve Ludlam, former Head of the Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC).

STRATEGIKON, Episode 7
Discussing all things security and current affairs with John Bruni, David Olney and moderator Alicia Moraw.

STRATEGIKON, Episode 6
Dominating the headlines this week was the stability of the Abbott government. After weeks of speculation as to whether or not Prime Minister Abbott would remain in his position or be replaced by the ‘silent candidate’ Malcolm Turnbull, rumours of Abbott’s demise have been put to rest for now. But will a bounce in the polls be enough to save the Liberal leader? Or is this a short respite before the knives come out again? And if the Abbott prime ministership ends, what will this mean for Opposition Leader Bill Shorten?
Also dominating the headlines this week is the aftermath of the assassination of Russian Opposition Leader Boris Nemtsov. Nemtsov was gunned down after having dined with his girlfriend of 3 years, Anna Durytska. Durytska recently fled Russia to be with her family in Kiev. So, who would have the motivation to order such a high profile hit during such a sensitive time in Russian affairs? President Putin certainly has a fair share of domestic and international enemies.

STRATEGIKON, Episode 5
Dominating the headlines this week was the issue regarding food labelling laws in Australia following the Nanna’s frozen berries Hepatitis A scare. Food security will be increasingly of interest to people as global supply chains fully replace local food production. How safe is our food in this brave new world of multilateral trade deals, often involving countries that have lax or non-existent basic levels of quality control? Also dominating the headlines this week is the Abbott government’s decision to deploy an extra 200 Australian soldiers to Iraq (along with a NZ contribution of 140) on a training mission to shore up the regime of Haider al-Abadi in Baghdad. Is this what it appears to be? Or, does this latest Australian deployment signify a slow yet inexorable escalation in the West’s war against ISIL?

STRATEGIKON, Episode 4
Submarine Special. When is a competitive evaluation process the same as a tender? Do we need submarines as part of Australia’s order of battle? Was the experience with the Collins class as bad as media reports contend?

STRATEGIKON, Episode 3
Dominating the headlines this week is the idea of America supplying ‘defensive weapons’ to Ukraine in its war against pro-Russian separatists. What will this mean for Europe and American European policy?

STRATEGIKON, Episode 2
Dominating the headlines this week was the release of Australian journalist, Peter Greste who, while on assignment in Egypt for the Qatari news agency, Al Jazeera, was arrested on the charge of news reporting that damaged Egyptian national security. Greste spent 400 days in an Egyptian prison along with two of his colleagues, dual Canadian-Egyptian national, Mohamed Fadel Fahmy & Egyptian national, Baher Mohamed. Fierce lobbying by Al Jazeera and Australian authorities managed to free Greste, who, is now safely home in Brisbane, his colleagues’ fates, however, remains uncertain. So what led to this situation to begin with.

STRATEGIKON, Episode 1
Dominating the headlines this week was the win by Greek political party Syriza. What does this mean for Greece? What does it mean for Greece’s place in the European Union and for the European Union project?