Webinar: The Evolving Security Relationship between the US, Indonesia, and Australia
ASPI USA invites you to join us for a 90-minute public webinar panel on the evolving security relationship between the United States, Indonesia, and Australia.
This panel will explore maritime security in the South China Sea, Indonesian internal instability, and the development of critical infrastructure to strengthen regional stability and resilience.
Date & Time: Tuesday, 13 May 2025, 7:00 pm EDT / Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 9:00 am AEST
Panelists:
Dr. Murphy is a Professor in the School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University, where she directs the Center for Foreign Policy Studies. Her research focuses on Southeast Asian international politics and political change, with a focus on Indonesia.
Dr. Priyandita is a senior analyst in the Cyber, Technology, and Security Program at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI). His primary research area is in cyber diplomacy and the military applications of emerging technology. He also provides commentary on foreign and defence policy issues in Southeast Asia.
TBA
Moderator:
Ukraine Red Team Exercise
To ensure a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific, it’s essential to understand how our strategic competitors view the world and how their plans may evolve.
Yesterday, ASPI USA’s Eric Lies and Dr. Greg Brown led a red team exercise with leading experts on Chinese policymaking.
The day-long session explored China’s perspectives on the war in Ukraine, including how the CCP may position itself in Europe moving forward and what lessons it might apply to its Taiwan strategy.
Special thanks to our distinguished participants—Paul Heer, Ryan Hass, Claire Chu, and Neil Thomas—for their invaluable insights and contributions.
Biosecurity Roundtable with ASPI USA and Microsoft
ASPI USA was proud to have Dr. Nishank Motwani moderate a roundtable discussion with Microsoft’s Dr. Ethan Jackson last Thursday on biosecurity in the Pacific Islands and the positive role AI can play in advancing regional resilience.
The event brought together Microsoft engineers, Pacific Island representatives, U.S. government officials, and leading academics to explore how advanced AI systems could support the region, while also addressing local concerns around digital infrastructure, resource limitations, and environmental constraints.
Innovative technologies like Microsoft’s Premonition, which can detect species interactions and flag potential threats using AI, highlight the power of these tools in safeguarding fragile ecosystems. Ensuring that these solutions are designed with local context in mind is key to building a more secure, sustainable, and interconnected Pacific.
Pacific Islands Red Team Exercise
On Monday, ASPI USA and Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service's Center for Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Studies convened a red team workshop on China's Pacific Islands strategy. Participants—Pacific specialists and China experts from the US and partner countries—stepped into the shoes of Wang Yi's senior advisors to game out Beijing's options.
Provocative scenarios included a potential Chinese military springboard in the Pacific, a game-changing American deep-sea mining initiative, and a watershed vote that introduced both opportunities and challenges for the "advisors." Participants channeled the strategic debates likely unfolding within Zhongnanhai, drawing on their expertise in Chinese decision-making and regional dynamics to develop strategic empathy—understanding an adversary's calculations, constraints, and motivations—to challenged conventional thinking, and to reveal novel insights for Indo-Pacific policy development.
Our thanks to all participants, observers, and Georgetown's Center for Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Studies for this valuable collaboration.
Shout out to the team responsible for this successful event: Jonah Bock, Greg Brown, Leah Markworth, Patrick Centeno, and Kaitlyn Flynn.
Policy in the Pub
On March 27, ASPI USA hosted our monthly Policy in the Pub mixer at Lincoln Restaurant in Washington, DC. This lively evening brought together policymakers, professionals, and academics for informal conversations on pressing issues in Australian-American relations.
We were honored to welcome Justin Bassi, Executive Director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, visiting from Canberra. With deep expertise in foreign policy, national security, intelligence, and cyber security, Justin offered thoughtful insights into the evolving strategic landscape and the role of the U.S.-Australia alliance in shaping global security.
Thank you to all who joined us for a drink and a think—we look forward to seeing you at our next Policy in the Pub!
Executive Intelligence Briefing: National Security & Tech Investment
Thank you to everyone who attended ASPI USA’s Executive Intelligence Briefing on National Security & Tech Investment, at the American Australian Association in New York City!
We were delighted to share ASPI USA's work in the distinguished Murdoch Center, with its breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline.
ASPI USA Deputy Director, Senior Fellow, and Director of Economic Strategy, Nerida King, kicked off the event by providing a compelling framework for understanding economic statecraft and competition with China, supported by pertinent empirical evidence on trade and critical technologies.
It was then an honor to have American Australian Association President, Steven Marshall, moderate a candid conversation with Australian Strategic Policy Institute COO, Andrew Horton. Andrew shared his family's personal experience enduring years of retaliatory abuse by the CCP, including death threats, stalking, and business sabotage, stemming from his son Mack's courageous stand against now-banned Chinese swimmer Sun Yang.
Finally, ASPI USA Executive Director, Adam Leslie, closed out the briefing by discussing the importance of aligning business and national security interests, and highlighting opportunities for engagement with ASPI USA.
Special thanks to our exceptional host, the American Australian Association!
Congressional Staff Program on Australia
ASPI USA was proud to co-host the Congressional Staff Program on Australia in partnership with the East-West Center in Washington, a six-part briefing series tailored for 23 congressional staffers from both chambers—our largest cohort yet!
The Congressional Staff Program comes at a time when the US-Australia Alliance is more important than ever in our history.
Over the course of three weeks, experts from academia, think tanks, industry, and the Australian Embassy helped deepen staffers' understanding of Australia’s strategic role in the Indo-Pacific, the US-Australia alliance, AUKUS, geoeconomics, and minilateralism, among other topics. The program culminated in a reception at the Embassy of Australia, United States of America.
Key sessions and speakers included:
Australia, its Place in the World and the US-Australia Alliance
Jason Robertson, Satu Limaye, Kathryn Hendel Paik, Adam Leslie, and Alan Tidwell
Great Power Competition: China, the US, and Regional Dynamics
Toshi Yoshihara, Neil Thomas, and Tamie Balaga
AUKUS: Implementation and Innovation
Steven Marshall, Rachael Young, Nishank Motwani, and Chris Robertson
Regional Security in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands
Benedict David, Gregory Brown, and Wilson Beaver
The Resurgence of Geoeconomics
The Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO, Nerida King, and Torrin Chidgey
Minilateralism and US-Australia Engagement with Asia
Lisa Curtis, Dhruva Jaishankar, and Celeste Powell
We are grateful to our congressional partners for their support and look forward to continued dialogue on advancing peace, prosperity, and resilience in the Indo-Pacific.
Special thanks to our moderators, speakers, and embassy colleagues for making this program so impactful, as well as the following individuals:
Sam Varie and Owen McGeary with the Friends of Australia Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Joe Courtney
Brendan Shields and James Raincsuk with the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee
Jen Mason, Micki Werner, and Laura Brisbane with the Australian Embassy
Abbigail McCarty and Aryan D’Rozario with the East-West Center in Washington
Nerida King, Ned Talbot, Jacqueline Gibson, Hassan Gad, Sheri Lei, Marika Vigo, Adam Leslie, Gregory Brown, Nishank Motwani, and Justin Bassi with ASPI USA and the Australian Strategic Policy Institute
Policy in the Pub
On 27 February, ASPI USA hosted a Holiday Edition of its monthly mixer, Policy in the Pub, at the Fox and Hounds Lounge. Attendees had the opportunity to engage in insightful discussions with policymakers, professionals, academics, and others on key topics surrounding Australian-American relations.
US Economic Statecraft Roundtable
An ASPI USA discussion with Claire Chu, Aaron Glasserman, Kimberly Donovan, Phil Rogers and William Alan Reinsch this month focused on what this approach means for US-China relations. This is the first in ASPI USA’s series of Chatham House roundtables to consider the Trump administration’s approach to geoeconomics.
Policy in the Pub
On 30 January, ASPI USA hosted an Australia Day Edition of its monthly mixer, Policy in the Pub, at the Crown & Crow. Attendees had the opportunity to engage in insightful discussions with policymakers, professionals, academics, and others on key topics surrounding Australian-American relations and reflect on the first 10 days of the second Trump Administration.
Policy in the Pub
On 12 December, ASPI USA hosted a Holiday Edition of its monthly mixer, Policy in the Pub, at Lincoln Restaurant DC. Attendees had the opportunity to engage in insightful discussions with policymakers, professionals, academics, and others on key topics surrounding Australian-American relations.
AUKUS Messaging Roundtable
On 3 December, ASPI USA was delighted to host the first in a series of roundtable discussions on AUKUS messaging. The event brought together an esteemed group of representatives from academia, think tanks, and government to consider the unique and shared challenges each partner nation faces, such as the political resilience of AUKUS, countering misinformation, and youth engagement.
Led by ASPI USA’s Jackie Gibson and Cameron Hendrix, with support from Chandler Jessup, Nerida King, and Nishank Motwani, the enlightening dialogue yielded insights into public and private perceptions of AUKUS, the benefit of governments highlighting national and subnational interests as well as values, the importance of multilateral diplomacy, and the long-term opportunities to communities of AUKUS Pillar Two. Thank you to all who attended, and we look forward to the next iteration of this conversation!
US and Australian Women and Space Event with AWDC
On the evening of November 14th, ASPI USA and Australian Women in DC (AWDC) were thrilled to host a lively event on US and Australian Women and Space: New Frontiers for Business and Government.
At a time when most everyone in DC, and beyond, is consuming a diet of election outcomes and political appointments, it was great to step back and discuss the importance of space as a domain for innovation and development in defense, science, and communications.
A big thank you to Paula Trimble, US Space Force Space Development Agency; Jeremy Hallett, Space Industry Association of Australia; and Lisa Wood, BAE Systems, Inc. for generously sharing their time, expertise, and advice on what makes a great mentor and exciting career. Thanks also to our moderator Nerida King of ASPI DC and AWDC who drew these connections together.
Some key takeaways that resonated with our audience as they chatted over Australian wine and seasonal food:
The US must collaborate with its allies and partners on space. It is impossible for any one company or business to keep up with technological change required.
Space development is integral on the world stage—from responding to global challenges like great power competition, communications failures, climate change and natural disasters—down to the personal level, like navigating oneself with GPS.
President-elect Trump's role in establishing the US Space Force in 2019 and close connection with Space X entrepreneur Elon Musk ensures the sector will continue to attract interest in the US.
Thanks to everyone who joined and made it such a successful (and topical) event!
Policy in the Pub
On 7 November, ASPI USA hosted its monthly mixer, Policy in the Pub. Attendees had the opportunity to engage in insightful discussions with policymakers, professionals, academics, and others on key topics surrounding Australian-American relations.
Foursight Task Force
From 21 to 25 October, ASPI USA and ORF America assembled a Task Force of twelve emerging China experts from the four Quad countries to imagine scenarios for China’s strategic environment and trajectory by 2030.
The scholars explored contemporary debates in China policy across Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, examined the future of Chinese power through structured exercises, co-wrote a joint report, and presented their findings to US policymakers. Participants from the Task Force continue to laud their experience with ASPI USA forecasting China’s strategic future.
Participants from the Task Force continue to laud their experience with ASPI USA forecasting China’s strategic future. We’d like to thank ORF America and the cohort of experts for an insightful week of discussion and collaboration!
US Futures Scenario-Building Workshop
With the US elections as a backdrop, ASPI USA ran a scenario-building exercise in mid-October about the role of the United States in the Indo-Pacific over the next four years. ASPI analysts and six government, business, and academic experts considered a range of factors, identified key drivers, and sketched four possible futures for US engagement.
A forthcoming workshop report will describe the scenarios, which emphasize strategic competition with China and regional and global demands for US attention.
Policy in the Pub
On 26 September, ASPI USA hosted its monthly mixer, Policy in the Pub at Dauphine’s DC. Attendees had the opportunity to engage in insightful discussions with policymakers, professionals, academics, and others on key topics surrounding Australian-American relations.
Policy in the Pub
On 14 August, ASPI USA hosted its monthly mixer, Policy in the Pub at Proper 21 K Street. Attendees had the opportunity to engage in insightful discussions with policymakers, professionals, academics, and others on key topics surrounding Australian-American relations.
AUKUS and Responsible Autonomy Roundtable
In early August, ASPI USA and the Atlantic Council’s GeoTech Center co-hosted a roundtable discussion titled, “AUKUS and Responsible Autonomy: Where do “human in the loop” considerations factor in?”
The discussion examined how diverse actors utilize AI-enabled autonomous weapons systems for national security outcomes. The roundtable also looked at how private industry, government, and military leaders factor in “human in the loop” considerations for oversight to retain control of decisions on lethality instead of ceding control to war machines.
Participants included industry, think tanks, government, and civil society organizations.
Climate Resiliency and Investment in the Pacific Islands Roundtable
On 29 July, ASPI USA was thrilled to host a roundtable discussion on Climate Resiliency and Investment in the Pacific Islands, which brought together government officials across a variety of agencies and departments, members of the think tank community, diplomats from Indo-Pacific countries, Congressional staffers, and experts in climate adaptation and development finance to consider the challenges and opportunities for climate mitigation and adaption in the Pacific Islands.
Following the viewing of an informational video from ASPI's Head of Climate and Security Policy Centre, Michael Copage, ASPI USA’s Tasfia Zeba and Morgan Chen led the event, which solicited crucial insights regarding the need for greater cooperation among development finance organizations and nations, the importance of strategic messaging for target audiences, and the necessity of implementing a dynamic, bottom-up approach that considers regional perspectives and emboldens climate-affected communities in the solution calculus.
This topic is highly important to us, and we look forward to propelling the discussion further.
Policy in the Pub
On 26 July, ASPI USA hosted its monthly mixer, Policy in the Pub at Fox and Hounds Lounge. Attendees had the opportunity to engage in insightful discussions with policymakers, professionals, academics, and others on key topics surrounding Australian-American relations, as well as cheer on Australia in the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games.
Peter Dutton and James Patterson Roundtable Discussion
ASPI USA hosted Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Senator James Patterson for a roundtable discussion at our Washington office on 12 July.
The event brought together US government officials, national security investors, think tank experts, and industry leaders to discuss crucial topics such as economic security, emerging technologies, strategic competition with China, and the significance of the US-Australian alliance.
The roundtable fostered a productive dialogue on the importance of strengthening and maintaining robust US-Australian partnerships, thereby emphasizing shared strategic interests. Attendees expressed praise for the event and enthusiasm for continuing these vital discussions in the future.
Women in National Security Roundtable
The ASPI USA team was thrilled to host a roundtable discussion on advancing women in national security, moving from rhetoric to action, on 08 July 2024.
Facilitated by Gai Brodtmann, ASPI Council Chair, and Marika Vigo, ASPI USA Events and Communications Manager, the event focused on key challenges and opportunities for women in the peace and national security space, such as overcoming data biases against women by increasing data transparency and accountability; breaking down barriers to entry and success for women in the space; amplifying female voices beyond tokenism to real integration into national security discourse; and collaborating across institutions, industries, and mediums to implement inclusivity and affect change within the landscape.
The roundtable solicited candid conversation on the need for better data collection around women in the industry, perhaps through a centralized mechanism or pool of talent; the opportunity from the QUAD and AUKUS for virtual mentoring to empower the next generation of female national security leaders; and the importance of overcoming systemic obstacles against women in the space (e.g., male-centric networks, gendered lexicon, invitations to moderate rather than speak on panels).
We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the representatives from academia, industry, think tanks, and government who participated in the dialogue and look forward to continuing it further!
State-Sponsored IP Theft Roundtable
On 02 July 2024, ASPI USA hosted a State-Sponsored IP Theft roundtable with Deputy Director Bart Hogeveen and Senior Analyst Gatra Priyandita for ASPI's Cyber, Technology, and Security Program.
The theft of intellectual property brings together the areas of national, cyber, and economic security. Targets include advanced economies, emerging economies, innovation hubs, and private companies intending to harvest sensitive information and trade secrets for domestic commercial use. These targets remain vulnerable due to a lack of awareness and policy protections, which makes it clear that not enough is being done and that current instruments of defense, protection, and deterrence are inadequate.
Deputy Director Hogeveen and Senior Analyst Dr. Priyandita shared their insights on a two-year project to strengthen the defense of emerging economies against the threat of state-sponsored and cyber-enabled IP theft. They also led discussions on the observed practices and perceptions in Southeast, South, and Latin America regarding China’s track record of state-sponsored IP theft campaigns and utilization of the thousand-talent program to insert Chinese intelligence collectors into corporate and government entities.
We thank Mr. Hogeveen and Dr. Priyandita for joining ASPI USA for the State-Sponsored IP Theft roundtable and for their dedication to Australia's engagements on cyber and technology issues to ensure international peace and security.
Policy in the Pub
On 27 June, ASPI USA hosted its monthly mixer, Policy in the Pub at Dauphine’s DC. Attendees had the opportunity to engage in insightful discussions with policymakers, professionals, academics, and others on key topics surrounding Australian-American relations.
United States-Australia and Southeast Asia Workshop
On 25 June, ASPI USA and East-West Center coordinated and moderated a “United States-Australia and Southeast Asia Workshop” in Manila, Philippines.
Seven leading experts on Southeast Asia engaged in invigorating discussions on Southeast Asia and the United States-Australia alliance, foreign policy, and security in the region.
This workshop is a part of a greater project with the East-West Center under the Research Innovation & Collaboration Exchange (RICE) initiative, focused on the Southeast Asian Perspectives of the United States-Australia alliance. Stay tuned for more on this project!
Third AUKUS TriLateral Dialogue
Co-hosted by ASPI, CNAS, and RUSI, the third annual AUKUS Trilateral Dialogue took place on 20 and 21 June in Washington, DC. The two-day event brought together representatives from public office, academia, think tanks, and private industry across all three partner countries to discuss the progression, regional reactions, and broader strategic implications of AUKUS Pillars I and II. The dialogue produced robust conversation on key questions, for example, how Pillar II can generate deterrent effects as well as mobilize private capital for national security purposes, how to address workforce and industrial capacity opportunities and challenges, and what is on the horizon for the legislative agenda.
On the evening of 20 June, as part of the TriLateral, ASPI partnered with the Embassy of Australia in Washington to host a reception. Guests engaged in fruitful chatter while enjoying hors d'oeuvres, Australian wine, and the signature drink of the night, the world's first 'TriLatini,' a true celebration in full spirit of the AUKUS partnership.
During the second day of the conference, Dr. Nishank Motwani, ASPI USA Senior Analyst, moderated "AUKUS: Taking Stock and Looking Forward", a public discussion with Senator Tim Kaine, United States Senator, D-VA; Dr. Philip Shetler-Jones, RUSI Senior Research Fellow, Indo-Pacific Security; Madeline Mortelmans, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategies, Plans and Capabilities; Paul Myler, Deputy Head of Mission for the Embassy of Australia, Washington DC; Matthew D. Steinhelfer, AUKUS Senior Advisor, U.S. Department of State; and Dr. Trevor Taylor, Director of the Defence, Industries and Society Programme.
Policy in the Pub
Thank you to everyone who joined ASPI USA for the fourth installment of Policy in the Pub at The Fox and Hounds Lounge in the vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood.
On May 30, following a roundtable discussion on Australia’s 2024 Defense Integrated Investment Program, distinguished experts from various fields continued their conversations over cocktails and pints—for example, exploring strategies to advance the incubation and integration of defense technologies within the Australian market.
We look forward to seeing familiar and new faces at the next iteration!
Investor Series Roundtable
On 30 May, ASPI USA hosted a productive roundtable discussion on the 2024 Australian Defense Integrated Investment Program (IIP). The event brought together perspectives from both the private and public sectors, aiming to gather critical feedback from the investment community to ensure effective implementation of the program.
The discussion focused on several key areas, including investments in AUKUS Pillar 2 technologies, the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA), infrastructure development, human capital flow, and incentives for Australian companies.
By engaging directly with the investment community, ASPI USA aims to refine and enhance the strategies within the IIP, ensuring the program's effectiveness and alignment with investor expectations and market realities.